We’ve updated KFW’s Artist Career Development (ACD) Mini Grants! KFW now provides three types of mini-grants (up to $500) for previous KFW grantees for:
- Opportunities (match required)
- Emergency Relief to continue making art
- Gatherings of KFW Artists in your region
We updated the possibilities of what grantees can use these mini grants for because of feedback from KFW artists, from surveys and interviews. In our strategic planning process, we learned that KY feminist artists need not only project support but also assistance for other areas of their lives.
The purpose of these mini-grants is to allow KFW grantees to continue creating feminist art for social change in Kentucky. Expanding the mini grants to include emergency funding and support for gatherings of KFW artists helps artists as individuals while strengthening the network of feminist social change artists in Kentucky. KFW strives to cultivate a community of care… and expanding the mini grants to provide funds not only for unexpected opportunities, but also for emergencies and gatherings helps to extend that care.
A quick reminder that the ACD mini grant is for current and previous KFW grantees only, and for current Kentucky residents. See the full guidelines for more information on all three types of mini grants for KFW grantees, but here is an overview:
New! Emergency Grants for KFW Artists
The Emergency Assistance Program provides one-time funds to KFW artists facing dire circumstances due to unforeseen, catastrophic events.
Eligible items:
One-time emergency funds of up to $500 are for KFW grantees who are facing:
- Unforeseen dire circumstances due to current government cuts in grants and assistance programs (food, housing, or medical insecurity)
- Regional trauma (ie, climate-related flooding, tornados or other)
- Unexpected acute medical needs (surgery, recovery from an accident)
New! Gatherings of KFW Artists in your region
Gatherings of KFW artists in local areas strengthens networks, builds resilience, and helps further artists careers. A KFW artist can apply for up to $500 to organize and host a gathering in their region. KFW funds to support a gathering are intended to connect KFW artists with each other, discuss what artists need now, and build community to further everyone’s work forwards deep engagement in artmaking, and furthering a feminist future for Kentucky through the arts.
Ongoing! Opportunities Mini Grant for KFW grantees
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. NOTE: a 1/3 match is required for the opportunities mini grant.
What can the ACD mini grant (opportunities type) 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.
- Artists in areas experiencing regional trauma (ie, flooding or tornados) in need of recovery funds.
- Entry fees to submit your original art to writing contests, film festivals, art festivals, etc.
Please read the full guidelines before applying.
More information is also on the mini grants page of the website.
