Application Open: Monday, April 29, 2024

Deadline: Monday, September 30, 2024 by 11:59 PM PST

Amount Awarded: $1,000

Number of Awards: 4

Eligible Disciplines: Literary, Media, Performing, Tactile & Visual

 

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Overview

The Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Deaf Arts Grant is an annual program established in 2021 which provides financial support for emerging and established artists to further advance their careers. 

Deaf Spotlight inspires and showcases Deaf Culture and Sign Languages through the arts. The Deaf Arts Grant will make a crucial difference for BIPOC Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing artists to thrive in the challenging arts field.

The number of grants given out each year is dependent on funding available. For 2024, Deaf Spotlight will award $1,000 each to 4 recipients. At least one recipient will reside in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, or Idaho), and at least one recipient will be a National selection outside of the Pacific Northwest region.

To apply, review the guidelines below, then fill out this BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant application form by Monday, Sept 30, 2024 at 11:59 PM PST. Preview Document available here. Late applications will not be accepted. 

*Note: Interested applicants can contact BIPOCDeafArtsGrant@deafspotlight.org with any accommodations the organization can provide to support artists in their pursuit of the grant.

INFO SESSION: BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant

You got questions about the BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant? Deaf Spotlight will offer a virtual info session to cover all your questions/ concerns! 

When: Saturday, June 1 at 10-11 am PST / 1-2 pm EST

Platform: Zoom

ASL interpreters provided. 

*This grant is for BIPOC Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing artists and creatives who reside in United States/ US territories at this time. Thank you for your understanding. 

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Eligibility 

In 2024, applications will be accepted by artists working in these art forms or disciplines: 

  • Literary: Comics and Graphic Novels, Experimental/Hybrid works, Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Zines. 

  • Media: Animation, Augmented Reality, Film, Immersive Audio & Video Works, Podcasts, Screenplays, Sound Art, Teleplays, Video Art, Virtual Reality, Web-based Art. 

  • Performing: Costume Design, Dance, Music Composition, Musical Theater, Performance Art, Playwriting, Puppetry, Set Design, Sound Design, Spoken Word, Storytelling, Theater, Traditional/Folk Performance.  

  • Tactile: Craft, Furniture Art, Installation, Interactive Installation & Sculpture, Immersion, Mixed Media, Multi-Sensory, 3-D, Printmaking, Public Art, Textile Arts. 

  • Visual: Bio Art, Craft, Digital Arts, Drawing, Ecological Art, Environmental Design, Furniture Art, Illustration, Installation, Interactive Installation & Sculpture, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Public Art, Sculpture, Textile Arts, Traditional/Folk Art. 

Any work with audio elements must be made accessible (transcripts, captions, audio descriptions, visual descriptions, etc.). 

To apply, you must:

Identify as a member of an underrepresented racial group, such as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC). 

  1. Identify as a member of an underrepresented racial group, such as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC). 

  2. Identify as Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, or Hard of Hearing. 

  3. Identify as an artist who makes original art

  4. Live in the United States or U.S. Territories. US citizenship is not required.  

  5. Be at least 18 years of age by the time grant funds are dispersed (September 30, 2024).  

You CANNOT apply if you are: 

  • Involved with Deaf Spotlight as: a board member, grant judging/planning committee member, or staff member (either staff or active committee member during 2024) for the current application year. 

  • A past award recipient of the BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant. 

If you are a prior volunteer or committee member for Deaf Spotlight, please disclose your relationship with Deaf Spotlight in your application under potential conflicts of interest. 

If you receive a grant award, you must: 

  • Provide 1 of two options: 

    • 1) Write a short summary / reflection describing how the grant award supported your artistic pursuits so far. 

    • 2) Record a short video (1-5 minutes) in sign language describing how the grant award supported your artistic pursuits. 

  • What project did it help you make progress on or complete?  

  • What were the funds used to purchase?  

  • What did receiving the funds mean to you?  

  • Did you happen to receive other funding in addition to the funds you were awarded through the BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant? If so, please share! 

  • Email the 1-page summary or link to a video recording to: BIPOCDeafArtsGrant@deafspotlight.org. 

  • Grant permission for Deaf Spotlight to promote the awarded artist and their featured work via Deaf Spotlight channels and potential media outlets. 

The application includes the following:  

  1. Short bio 

  2. Describe how you plan to use the grant funds. 

    • In a paragraph, explain how you would use a grant award. This could be for a specific project, or supporting your ongoing work. Below are some example questions to help guide your response: 

      • How would an award help you create more art? 

      • Are there specific supplies you plan to purchase? How would you use them? 

      • Would the funds help in any new artistic collaborations? Describe the collaboration. 

      • If you are using the funds for a specific project, do you have an estimated project timeline? 

  3. Include a sample of your artwork (a maximum of 3 original materials created in the last 10 years). Artworks must be submitted with their titles, dimensions, year made and summaries.

  4. The application elements above must be submitted via the application form by September 30, 2024 before 11:59 pm (Pacific Time). Questions can be sent to BIPOCDeafArtsGrant@deafspotlight.org.   

Grant awards may be used for: 

  • Direct project expenses (such as research or residency)  

  • Wages, salaries, and fees  

  • Supplies and materials (purchases that will assist for the completion or production of your work) 

  • Equipment or space rentals (for presentation or creation of your work) 

  • Insurance, licenses, permits  

  • Publicity and marketing 

  • Transportation (such as travel to workshops, seminars, and/or anything that will assist with art creation) 

  • Documentation by photographer or videographer  

  • Training (such as workshops, master classes, and/or coaching) 

  • Accessibility (such as interpreters, captions, etc.) 

 Grant awards may NOT be used for:  

  • Purchase of equipment unrelated to art needs (such as software or food) 

  • College or university tuition 

  • Government-run programs and degree-granting institutions, religious services, fundraising efforts, or gifts 

  • Political campaigns  

Review Process and Notification   

  • Applications are reviewed for eligibility and completeness. 

  • An appointed screening committee determines application rankings. 

  • All required application materials will be evaluated based on set review criteria.  

  • Notification will be sent via email in November 2024.

Timeline 

  • Application opens: Monday, April 29, 2024

  • Application deadline: Monday, September 30, 2024

  • Panel review: October 2024

  • Grant notification & announcement: November 2024