The 2008 Artist Enrichment Grant Application is now available. Application deadline is September 5, 2008.
If you are thinking about applying, please see the Additional Information, located on the Grants Program page.
What is the Artist Enrichment Grant?
The primary goal of the Artist Enrichment program is to provide opportunities for feminist artists and arts organizations to enhance their abilities and skills to create art for progressive social change in Kentucky. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their commitment to feminism and their understanding of the relationship between art and social change.
Applicants may request funds for a range of activities including: artistic development, artist residencies, the exploration of new areas or techniques, or to build a body of work. Please Note: Artists or organizations whose activities directly involve social change or community engagement should consider applying for the Art Meets Activism grant.
Examples of awarded Artist Enrichment grants
A Murray musician produces a CD and an educational one-woman theatrical performance in tribute to Marian Anderson, the first African-American woman to sing a lead role with the Metropolitan Opera. This historic concert was held at the Lincoln Memorial after Ms. Anderson was denied use of Constitution Hall because of her race.
A Danville theatre artist develops an autobiographical physical theatre piece about the relationships in a violent family. The piece and related workshop materials helps her transition into creating new work and will further community dialogue about family violence in Kentucky.
A group of feminist writers based in Lexington publish an anthology of the group's mature work in order to learn the process of producing a book, affirming the power of collective female creative experience.
A Louisville writer develops and enhances her playwriting and poetry skills by working on the creation of a poetic play about mountaintop removal in Appalachia and its impact on the earth, on women, and on all people in the region.
A Shelbyville media artist creates a series of video installations focusing on women who have contributed to social change during times of war and civil conflict.
A Bowling Green visual artist participates in an artist residency to study blown and flame worked glass with a noted female glass artist and incorporate these techniques into new work.
Who can apply?
Individual artists and arts organizations based in Kentucky may apply. For the purposes of this grant, individual artists must be creating strong or highly original artwork, and organizations must be engaging in artist-centered activities. KFW is committed to making the grant program accessible to a wide range of women regardless of age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical disability, educational level, economic condition, or geographic origin.
Who reviews my application?
Independent artists and activists from a range of disciplines, including literary, visual, performing, and media arts recommend grant awards to the KFW Board of Directors. KFW staff do not make any funding decisions. More information about The KFW Grantmaking Process can be found in the Additional Information.
What criteria are used in the review process?
The reviewers assess the applications based on the following criteria:
1. Artwork in sample is strong, highly original, and reflects feminism and social change.
2. Description of proposed activities and work sample demonstrate applicant’s understanding and practice of feminism.
3. Application and work sample demonstrate a clear understanding of the relationship between art and social change.
4. Proposed activities will further applicant’s development as a feminist social change artist.
5. Work plan, timeline, and budget are clear, detailed, and realistic.
6. Applicant’s ability to complete the proposed activities is clearly shown.
How much money can I request?
Grants range from $ 1,000 to $7,500. Due to the number of strong applications received, KFW reviewers are rarely able to recommend full funding. The typical grant award is $3,000 to $5,000.
Eligibility Requirements
KFW does not fund business enterprises, for-profit organizations, tuition costs or living expenses while working toward a degree, promotion of religious doctrines, endowments or capital campaigns or renovations of institutional facilities, non art related expenses (i.e., overdue bills, taxes, etc.) work conducted by artists or organizations that have not resided in Kentucky for at least one year at the time of application, of Kentucky women and girls.
A Note About Archives
Duke University is the designated archive for all KFW records. After five years, the foundation forwards the files concerning funded grant proposals to the Rare Book Manuscripts and Special Collections Library at Duke University. All KFW records deposited at Duke are open to qualified researchers. By submitting this application, you waive any right to claim a privacy interest in the funded grant materials.
