What is the KFW Artist Career Development Mini Grant?
KFW recognizes the need for quick turn-around funds to support career advancement opportunities for Kentucky feminist artists that may come up outside of our regular grant programs. The KFW Artist Career Development Mini-Grant (ACD) provides up to $500 to support activities that further a KFW artist’s career, broaden the audience or impact of their work, and strengthen artist networks.
KFW offers three types of mini grants: opportunities, emergency relief, and gatherings of KFW artists.
Eligibility
The Artist Career Development Mini-Grant is for current and previous KFW grantees whose primary residence is in Kentucky at the time of the application and during the grant activities.
- Applicants must have received funds through KFW’s Artist Enrichment or Art Meets Activism grants to apply for this mini grant.
- Grantees may receive one ACD grant per calendar year.
Consult the eligibility checklist for up-to-date information on what KFW can and cannot fund.
What can the KFW Feminist Artist Career Development (Opportunities type) Mini-Grant be used for?
There are three types of Artist Career Development Mini Grants: Opportunities, Emergency Relief, and Gatherings of KFW Artists in your region.
Artist Career Development Mini-Grants can be used for:
- Artist residencies and retreats to build your body of work, focus on research or the creation of a new project, and “radical rest” for artists. (Radical Rest is a term used to describe a comprehensive approach to healing from oppressive systems. It centers self-care to rejuvenate an artist’s work to create social change.)
- Perform, present, or screen your artwork, films or other performance pieces at panels, conferences, festivals, and juried showcases.
- Solo or group exhibitions of your work at galleries, museums, or in a community context. This can include framing and shipping costs for visual artwork.
- Travel costs to attend a career development opportunity that centers your artmaking.
- Strengthening your artist network by attending a regional, national, or international gathering of artists, or by hosting a gathering of feminist artists working for social change in your community.
- Entry fees to submit your original art to writing contests, film festivals, art festivals, etc.
Is a match required?
Yes, for an opportunity. A match is not required for emergency relief or for regional gatherings of KFW artists. For an opportunity, a 3:1 match is required. That means KFW will provide up to 3/4 (75%) the cost up to $500. For example, if the total cost is $500, KFW will provide $375 and the other $125 will need to come from other sources. Match can include cash, donations or in-kind contributions. In-kind contributions can include artist fees. (To receive the full $500, applicants must have a match of at least $167.) Applicants should round up their KFW request to the nearest whole number.
What to Expect When Applying
The ACD Mini Grant application will ask applicants to clearly describe the career development opportunity proposed, including what the opportunity is and what art or artforms are involved. It will also ask applicants about their background as an artist and why this opportunity is needed now to advance their artistic career. Applicants will need to explain how KFW funds will be used and explain the matching funds, as well as other essential grant components.
Grant Deadlines and Timeframe
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Decision notifications: Notification and release of funds will occur approximately 2-3 weeks after the application is submitted.
Grant Timeline: Applications must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the activity.
Final Report: must be submitted no later than 30 days after the activity is completed.