The Fulcrum Fund is an annual grant program for visual artists created and administered by 516 ARTS as a partner in
the Regional Regranting Program of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, with additional support from the Frederick Hammersley Fund for the Arts at Albuquerque Community Foundation. The Call for Proposals is now open with a deadline of December 17, 2021.
For the 2021-2022 grant cycle, the Fulcrum Fund is returning to project-based granting after the last four cycles that were focused on Covid-relief grants for artists. A total of $90,000 in grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 will be awarded
to support the development and presentation of independent, artist-led projects focusing on contemporary visual arts practices. Examples of funded projects are new exhibitions or series of exhibitions, the ongoing work of an experimental arts venue or collective, public art projects, one-time events and performances with a strong visual arts component, publications directly related to the visual arts, online projects, artist residencies, and film festivals, to name a few.
Now in its sixth year, the Fulcrum Fund serves as an essential support structure to enable artists to expand existing work and explore new directions in creating and showcasing projects that inspire curiosity, engagement, and dialogue. It
is intended to be a springboard for artistic processes that are experimental and forward thinking, while celebrating projects that may not fit into the traditional museum and gallery systems. Since its inception in 2016, the Fulcrum Fund has awarded a total of $552,000 to 300 artists, artspaces, and organizations statewide – including $321,000 in Covid- relief funds distributed in 2020-2021 to visual artists, artspaces, and non-profit organizations that lost income due to the pandemic. To see the past grant recipients, click HERE.
GUEST JURORS:
Each year, 516 ARTS brings in guest jurors who make the grant selections. They are respected national curators who carefully review all of the proposals. This provides a valuable opportunity for local artists to have their work seen by leaders in the field. This year’s jurors are Laura Copelin, Interim Director, MOCA Tucson, Arizona & Curator-at-Large, Ballroom Marfa, Texas; Kathleen Ash-Milby (Navajo), Curator of Native American Art, Portland Art Museum, Portland, Oregon; and Marvella Muro, Director of Artistic Programs and Education, Self Help Graphics, Los Angeles, California.
ELIGIBILITY:
Fulcrum Fund grants are for individual artists for the creation and support of self-organized artistic activity that can be experienced by the general public. Artists and collectives whose work centers around visual arts and who live and work in New Mexico are encouraged to apply. Students who are currently enrolled during the grant cycle, commercial businesses, and 501(c)3 non-profit organizations are NOT eligible. For complete eligibility requirements described in the FAQ as well as application tips, visit: 516arts.org/fulcrumfund
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications are only accepted online via Submittable which is accessible at 516arts.org/fulcrumfund. Emailed or hand- delivered submissions will not be accepted. Please join us for virtual Info Sessions for artists listed at the top of this press release. These sessions provide an overview of the program, eligibility requirements, examples of selected proposals from previous years, and instructions on how to develop project budgets.
ABOUT THE REGIONAL REGRANTING PROGRAM:
The Regional Regranting Program was established in 2007 to recognize and support the movement of independently organized, public-facing, artist-centered activity that animates local and regional art scenes but that lies beyond the reach of traditional funding sources. The program is administered by non-profit visual art centers across the United States that work in partnership with the Foundation to fund artists’ experimental projects and collaborative undertakings.
The 32 regranting programs provide grants of up to $10,000 for the creation and presentation of new work. Programs are developed and facilitated by organizations in Alabama, Albuquerque, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Knoxville, New Orleans, Newark, Oklahoma, Omaha, Philadelphia, Phoenix & Tucson (AZ), Portland (OR), Portland (ME), Providence, Raleigh & Greensboro (NC), Saint Louis, San Francisco, San Juan, PR, Seattle, and Washington D.C.
ABOUT 516 ARTS
516 ARTS is a non-collecting, contemporary art museum in Downtown Albuquerque that celebrates thought-provoking art in the here and now. Our mission centers around education and focuses on connecting contemporary artists and diverse audiences. 516 ARTS presents relevant exhibitions and public programs, which feature a mix of local, national, and international artists and seek to inspire curiosity and creative experimentation. Learn more at 516arts.org.