Proposals are accepted for two years of visual arts programming. This can include exhibitions, residencies, public art works, screenings, performances, lectures, publications, mentorships and other professional development opportunities for artists.

Grants range from $60,000-$100,000 and should represent no more than 25% of an organization’s annual operating budget.

Proposals should start off with a description of the organization that is applying. Please give a holistic picture of the opportunities it provides to artists and describe what makes an artist’s experience there unique.

Describe the process by which artists are selected or invited to work with the organization. Is there a curator or visual arts director? Please name them. Is there an advisory board? Who is on it? Is there an open call for artists? A nominating process? An array of ways an artist might approach the organization?

Indicate if there is a particular population of artists being served. Is the focus on emerging artists? Mid-career artists? Artists whose practices have been marginalized in the mainstream art world? Artists with experimental, hard to categorize practices?

Proposals should encompass all programs – not single out specific program streams for funding – and these programs should be up and running. Brand new initiatives are unlikely to be funded until they have had a few trial runs. This allows the description of the opportunities they provide to artists to be concrete and based on experience.

Keep the focus on the artists and the ideas. A competitive proposal will highlight these over any institutional or outward benefit. We are less likely to fund shows centered around an institutional anniversary or a celebration of the institution itself.

Be open with us about staff transitions. If there is a major shift coming for the curatorial staff or for the director of the organization, it is probably not the right time to apply. Similarly, if you have an outstanding grant, it’s best to check in before submitting. Organizations are required to wait one full year after a grant has been completed before re-applying.

Include a compelling argument for why this is the right moment for the foundation to be involved as a funder: Is a new artistic vision coming to fruition? Is there a program that has deepened or strengthened your work with artists? Are there strong community resources available? Are you able to facilitate meaningful collaborations with longstanding and/or reliable partners?

Include a full one year operating budget for the organization. If staff requires additional budget information, they will be in touch.