Visual Artist Micro-Grants through the CICF Artist Ambassadors 

Micro-grants of $500 are designed to support the work of visual artists living and working in Central Indiana who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and/or a person with disabilities and to support the advancement of their artistic practices and careers. They were created by the CICF artist ambassadors in response to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on under-appreciated artists, and are intended as a bridge for those seeking small grants to simply keep creating.

The purpose of the grant program is to support, enhance or advance an artists practice, productivity, skill, knowledge, creative acumen, cultural awareness, approach, project(s), connections, network, materials/supplies, marketing-promotion, artistic project-related travel, facilitation of an event, exhibit(s), participation in an event, shipping of artwork, etc. 

Self-taught or informally trained artists are encouraged to apply. 

ELIGIBILITY: 

• BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and/or visual artists with disabilities
• residents of Central Indiana (defined as the 9-county metro area)
• artists working alone or in a collaborative group in all visual media that consider themselves to be professionals in their field
• exhibited work or made their work public for a time period of at least three years
• 21 years of age or older
• must not be enrolled in a degree-granting program after June 2020 

timeline

• Applications open: Sept. 28, 2020
• Application deadline: Nov. 6, 2020
• Grant announcements: mid-Jan. 2021
• Grant implementation deadline: April 30, 2021

VISUAL ARTS CATEGORIES: 

Painting, drawing, illustration, mixed- media, multiple-media and any other new or alternative media, assemblage, collage, construction, installation, pottery, ceramics, printmaking, book arts, design, craft, textile arts, photography, works on paper, conceptual art, graphic/digital art, video art, film, sculpture (of any type of material), and public art.    

EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS: 

• building a website where people can buy work 
• purchasing supplies and materials for a new series of works 
• covering fees and shipping costs to participate in an out-of-town show 
• attending a workshop to learn new glazing techniques

SELECTION CRITERIA: 

• artistic quality and artistic merit of the work 
• commitment to pursuing a professional career 
• feasibility of the proposed project

Apply for support

Applications cannot be saved as drafts. It is recommended to prepare any written responses outside of this online form and gather all required information and documents beforehand.

About you

First Name *

Last Name *

Phone *

Email *

Mailing Address *

Mailing Address

Mailing Address

Mailing Address

City

City

State/Province AlabamaAlaskaArkansasArizonaCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

State/Province

Zip/Postal

Zip/Postal

Age *

Under 30

30-44

45-60

Over 60

Prefer not to answer

Gender *

Female/Woman

Male/Man

TransFemale/TransWoman

TransMale/TransMan

Nonbinary

Prefer not to answer

Do you identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community? *

Yes

No

Race/Ethnicity - select all that apply *

Native American / Indigenous American

Black and/or African American

Hispanic and/or Latinx

Asian/Asian-American

Middle Eastern and/or North African

Native Hawaiian and/or Pacific Islander

White

OtherOther

Do you identify as having any of the following: *

Intellectual or developmental disability

Physical disability

Visually and/or hearing impaired

Mental health condition

None

Artist Biography

Please provide a brief introduction of you as an artist. (3-4 sentences)

Artist Biography - share a brief video (optional)

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Maximum file size: 268.44MB

Proposal Narrative

In this part of the application, you will answer four narrative questions about you as an artist and about the artwork you create. Please assume that the reader knows nothing about you or your work.

Describe your work. Why do you do what you do?

If awarded the grant, how do you propose to use the funds? How will this bolster your artistic career?

As an artist in Indianapolis—or the surrounding metro area—what specific professional experiences, connections, and/or relationships would be helpful to push your career to the next level?

What does a successful artistic career look like for you?

Project Budget

To the best of your ability, please describe your proposed project expenses and the estimated cost for each item.

Project expense #1

Expense amount #1

Project expense #2

Expense amount #2

Project expense #3

Expense amount #3

Project expense #4

Expense amount #4

Project expense #5

Expense amount #5

Estimated total project expense

Work Samples

Provide your resumé, two pieces of professional documentation, and up to five different work samples. Work samples should represent work created within the last year.

Resume/CV

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Maximum file size: 268.44MB

No longer than three pages detailing your professional experience. THIS IS OPTIONAL.

Professional Documentation (two pieces)

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Maximum file size: 268.44MB

Two pieces that may include articles, letters of support, programs, reviews, or anything concerning your professional experience. Scanned documents are acceptable.

Work Sample #1

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Maximum file size: 268.44MB

Details for work sample #1

Please provide the title of the work and give a brief description including size and medium. 

Work Sample #2

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Maximum file size: 268.44MB

Details for work sample #2

Please provide the title of the work and give a brief description including size and medium. 

Work Sample #3

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Maximum file size: 268.44MB

Details for work sample #3

Please provide the title of the work and give a brief description including size and medium. 

Work Sample #4

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Maximum file size: 268.44MB

Details for work sample #4

Please provide the title of the work and give a brief description including size and medium. 

Work Sample #5

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Maximum file size: 268.44MB

Details for work sample #5

Please provide the title of the work and give a brief description including size and medium. 

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