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Thinking About Applying
The mission of the Kentucky Foundation for Women is to promote positive social change by supporting varied feminist expression in the arts. When women and girls advance, so does Kentucky.
KFW carries out this mission through:
Two Grant Programs: Each year the Foundation awards $200,000 to feminist artists and social change organizations in Kentucky through two grant programs: Artist Enrichment and Art Meets Activism .
Hopscotch House Retreat and Residency Center is a KFW program that serves women and girls in Kentucky by providing a supportive setting for retreats and residencies for feminist artists and activists to create, connect, and convene.
The KFW Hot Flash: E-News for Everyone: Weekly and Special Edition emails include announcements, opportunities, and action steps.
Providing resources about feminism and social change: Check out the resource page and the KFW Feminist Timeline at www.kfw.org, or visit the Hopscotch House Library.
KFW’s Two Grant Programs:
The application process for the two programs are separate: the deadline for the Art Meets Activism grant is typically the first Friday in March, and the deadline for the Artist Enrichment grant is typically the first Friday in September.
The Artist Enrichment grant provides opportunities for feminist artists and arts organizations to enhance their abilities and skills to make art for progressive social change.
The Art Meets Activism grant supports individual artists and organizations in the development and implementation of art activities that are directly focused on progressive social change in Kentucky. (See below for a complete description of each grant program with examples of awarded grants).
Artist Enrichment Program
The Artist Enrichment (AE) program provides opportunities for feminist artists and arts organizations to enhance their abilities and skills to make art for progressive 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.
Both grant programs are artist-centered, feminist in nature, and demonstrate high artistic quality. Applicants to both programs should be able to demonstrate their commitment to feminism and their understanding of the relationship between art and social change.
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.
Art Meets Activism Program
The Art Meets Activism program supports individual artists and organizations in the development and implementation of art activities that are directly focused on progressive social change in Kentucky. Art Meets Activism applicants must also illustrate that they have a concrete plan to accomplish social change and a commitment to community involvement. Applicants may request funds for a range of artistic activities including: arts education programs focused on women or girls, community participation in the creation of new art forms, artist-centered projects involving non-traditional venues or new partnerships between artists and activists, and artist-centered projects with social change themes or content.
Both grant programs are artist-centered and feminist in nature. and demonstrate high artistic quality. Applicants to both programs should show high artistic quality in the work sample, and should be able to demonstrate their commitment to feminism and their understanding of the relationship between art and social change.
Examples of awarded Art Meets Activism grants
A Kettle visual artist provides workshops for women in abuse centers in south central Kentucky to journal about their lives and create personal paintings, offering an opportunity for reflection and visual expression of their thoughts and feelings, which will build self-esteem and will encourage participants to see themselves in a new light and to imagine a new life.
A Danville writer and community activist distributes booklets and publishes a “town hall meeting” style community performance script to educate women and provide preventative strategies against domestic violence.
A Campbellsville poet and activist presents writing workshops for working class rural women in central Kentucky, distributes a poetry newsletter to rural Kentucky women without internet access, and publishes the writings of workshop participants.
An Appalachian community organization presents a variety of workshops and classes incorporating the arts, information, and physical activity that will enable women to improve their health.
A Louisville flamenco dancer presents summer workshops in flamenco dance for girls ages 12-15, to teach a healthy connection to their bodies, and develop their self-confidence as they learn to express and appreciate themselves.
Because the mission of the Kentucky Foundation for Women is to promote positive social change through varied feminist expression in the arts, both grant programs focus on all three areas: art, feminism, and social change.
Do I fit with KFW’s mission?
This is the first question you must ask yourself. The three big words in the mission statement are “feminism,” “social change” and “art.” What is feminist art? What does feminist art mean in Kentucky today? How does feminist art promote social change? What is positive social change? These are questions that KFW staff, board members, and KFW community members all grapple with on a continual basis. We are constantly learning from each other what we mean by feminism and social change. If you decide to apply for a KFW grant, the process of completing the application will challenge and empower you to think through your own understanding and practice of feminism and social change, in your own context.
It could be helpful to ask yourself the following questions: What does feminism mean to me? What kind of social change do I want to see in my life, town, area, state, nation, and world? How can I use my art to promote this kind of change?
Below, you’ll find some statements, questions, and information to help you think through your ideas:
Feminism:
The KFW Board of Directors has adopted the following statement onfeminism: Feminism is a conceptual framework based on a radical transformation of society and self. Feminism challenges socially and politically defined gender roles and fosters greater opportunity, choice, and independence. Feminism creates economic equality, a violence-free society, and racial and ethnic justice. Feminism is an evolving process, which requires courage and advocacy.
KFW staff and reviewers also recognize feminism as a dynamic force for social change that varies across age, ethnicity, economic class, geography, sexuality, and other differences. For this reason, KFW does not promote a single definition of feminism but encourages grant applicants to describe their own understanding and practice of feminism.
Social Change:
The KFW Board of Directors has defined positive social change outcomes as: eliminating societal barriers to women; neutralizing discrimination against women based on age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical ability, education, economic condition, and geographic origin; and producing actions, conditions, policies, attitudes and behaviors that benefit women.
The Women’s Funding Network (www.wfnet.org) defines social change as including one or more of the following components: a shift in definitions, a reframing of an issue; a shift in individual and/or community behavior; a shift in critical mass; a shift in institutions and/or policy; and maintaining past gains or holding the line.
Art for Social Change:
The Leeway Foundation, KFW’s sister organization that funds feminist social change artists in the Philadelphia area (www.leeway.org) has developed the following statement about art for social change: Art for social change is art with a vision and impacts people in many ways. It can: raise consciousness; alter how we think about ourselves, our society, or our culture; create a vision of a more just world; be a tool or strategy for organizing and movement-building; reclaim traditional cultural practices as a form of resistance or community building; challenge racism, classism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ageism, ableism or other forms of oppression; and question mainstream culture and beliefs.
Who may apply for KFW grants?
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.
May I submit more than one application?
Each individual or organization may submit only one application for each grant cycle. Collaborative partners should apply together. Individual artists and organizations submitting more than one application for the same project will be considered together, as one application. See Notes Partner Applicants and Notes for Organizations.
What are the Eligibility Requirements?
Because KFW is a private 501(c)3 foundation, grants cannot be used for:
- for-profit organizations
- tuition costs or living expenses while working toward a degree
- promotion of specific religious doctrines
- endowment or capital campaigns or renovations of institutional facilities
- general operating costs for organizations
Because KFW focuses on feminist artists in Kentucky, KFW does not fund:
- 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
- activities that do not focus on improving the lives of Kentucky women
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Applying:
About your ideas:
What is my definition of feminism?
What is my understanding and practice of feminism?
How do I understand the relationship between art and social change?
About your art:
Is my artwork (writing, music, performance, etc.) strong and highly original?
Is my art feminist?
Does it reflect feminism and social change?
How can my art affect social change?
How does my art improve the lives of women and girls in Kentucky?
About your activities:
What do I really need at this point in my life to develop myself as a feminist social change artist?
How will these activities further my growth?
What do I really need to develop the quality and impact of my art? What will take me to the next level in my development as an artist?
How exactly will I go about this? How long will it really take me? What materials do I need?
What support do I already have for my art and my ideas? Have I fully accessed this support?
What opportunities exist in my community to enhance my growth as an artist? Have I fully taken advantage of the opportunities available to me?
About the two grant programs:
Which grant makes the most sense for my work and the activities I’m thinking about pursuing?
AE: How can I make my art more powerful?
What other creative, interactive possibilities exist for presenting my work other than exhibitions and websites?
AMA: How will I engage the community with my work?
Why do I want to work with a particular population?
Frequently Asked Questions if You’re Thinking About Applying
I received an Art Meets Activism (AMA) grant last time. Can I apply for an Artist Enrichment (AE) grant this year?
Yes, you may apply for each grant in turn. You just have to keep in mind that the purposes of the grants are different, and therefore your application materials will be strongest with these differences in mind.
How many applications do you fund each year?
The actual number varies each year, but KFW usually receives an average of 100 applications per grant cycle. Because of the large number of strong applications received and the amount of available resources, KFW can usually fund about 1/3 of the applications received.
May I apply for a grant to work with an out-of-state artist?
You may, but be sure to explain clearly how that artist’s involvement will benefit women in Kentucky. Also, keep in mind that your activities should be artist-driven. KFW rarely supports the full cost of an out-of-state artist, and your application and budget should reflect your plans to reach Kentucky women.
Can I apply for funds to self-publish my writing or produce my own CD?
You can. However, please think about whether this will be the best path for your artistic development or the social change goals you want to achieve. Working with an editor, producer, or other outside expert might strengthen your artistic development more than self-publishing or self-producing, especially if you are in your beginning stages as an artist. Sometimes attending workshops or having peers review your work is more valuable than self-publishing or self-producing a product.
Can I apply to purchase equipment related to my art?
Yes. However, if the equipment is expensive and for long-term use, your request will be strengthened if you explain its relevance to your proposed artistic activities. Your budget request will be stronger if equipment purchases are directly related to the proposed activities AND have an implication on your continuing artistic work. For example: A filmmaker applies to purchase editing software for a particular feminist project, but she explains in her description how the software will help enhance her future work as well.
Do you fund male artists?
KFW staff and reviewers recognize that men can be feminist social change artists, so they are not excluded from applying to KFW. As with women applicants, it is very important that men clearly define how they see their art as feminist and how it will affect social change for women and girls. In the past, men who have been funded by KFW are often collaborating with a female partner or addressing an important feminist issue with their work.
Because there are so few funding sources available for women in Kentucky, KFW is primarily focused on meeting the needs of women artists and activists. Usually, fewer than 4% of those who apply for a KFW grant are male. Since 2001, KFW has awarded 270 Art Meets Activism grants and 321 Artist Enrichment grants. In that time, two men have received grants, one under AMA and one under AE. These totals do not include men who have written KFW grants on behalf of an organization to which they belong.
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