What is the KFW Artist Enrichment Grant?
The AE grant provides opportunities for feminist artists and arts organizations to further their artistic development to create art for positive 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.
Applicants to the AE grant program must be Kentucky-based artists and organizations that show high artistic quality in the art sample, and should be able to demonstrate their commitment to feminism and their understanding of the relationship between art and social change. The grant program is arts-based and feminist in nature.
Eligibility
There have been some changes regarding how grant funds may be used. Consult the eligibility checklist for up-to-date information on what KFW can and cannot fund. One-time events that were funded in the past are no longer eligible for funding beginning in 2024. For one-time events, look at our Sponsorships to see if your event is a good fit.
AE Grant Criteria
The following are the criteria reviewers use to evaluate Artist Enrichment (AE) applications:
The art sample demonstrates a high-level of quality commensurate with the applicant’s stage of artistic development.
The proposed activities will further the applicant’s development as a feminist social change artist or arts organization.
The application shows the applicant’s
- Understanding and practice of feminism.
- Understanding of the relationship between art and social change.
- Concrete plan for measuring and evaluating impact.
- Ability to complete the proposed grant activities during the grant year.
The submitted budget shows the applicant’s ability to manage grant funds.
Peer Panel Review: KFW grant recommendations are made by a panel of independent peer reviewers. Recommendations are sent to the KFW Board of Directors for final approval. KFW staff do not make funding decisions.
What to Expect When Applying
The Artist Enrichment Grant application will ask applicants to clearly describe the activities proposed, including a timeline and work plan. The applicant will also discuss their understanding and practice of feminism, and the social change impact of their work. Additional requirements include budget, art samples, and other essential grant components.
Click here to view examples of past Artist Enrichment grantee projects.
Grant Deadlines and Timeframe
Application Due Date: Typically, the last Monday in August.
Decision notifications: Typically occur in December.
Grant timeline: AE grant activities must take place between January 1 and December 31 of the following year.
Final Report: Due 30 days after the grant year ends.