The Artist Enrichment grant deadline is typically the first Friday of September. Applications will be available in July.
The Artist Enrichment (AE) program provides opportunities for feminist artists and arts organizations to enhance their abilities and skills to create art for positive social change. Applicants may request funds for a range of activities including: artistic development, artist residencies, the exploration of new areas or techniques, or to build a body of work.Applicants to the AE grant program, like the AMA grant program, should show high artistic quality in the work sample, and should be able to demonstrate their commitment to feminism and their understanding of the relationship between art and social change. Both grant programs are arts-based and feminist in nature.
Examples of awarded Artist Enrichment grants
A musician in northern KY transcribes and analyzes jazz solos created by five women musicians between 1910 and 1955, and places these solos within the musical and social contexts of their day. Transcribing the solos will enrich her own work as a jazz artist and bring awareness to the presence of women jazz musicians in the early 20th century.
A literary artist in Louisville completes a series of nonfiction personal essays honoring her grandmothers and publish them on a new blog. The essays will honor elders in her community, and the blog will focus on raising the artistic quality of blog posts, celebrate and empower black women, and provide a place for more unique young black voices in the growing field of alternative media.
A fiber artist in Irvine builds a small, environmentally friendly studio, guided by eco-feminist principles, incorporating a permanent dye kitchen so she can more efficiently create fiber works inspired by her life as a mother, individual, and a woman.
A media artist in Russellville collects and audio records the voices of six African American women aged 70 and older singing spirituals and incorporates the songs into a play. The recordings help her learn to translate her research into theatrical productions, preserve this musical tradition, uplift elder artists and deepen understanding of the experiences of enslaved women.
A visual artist in Lexington creates a “memorial wall” visual installation incorporating individual portraits of the disappeared and murdered women of Juarez, Mexico. The traveling installation raises awareness in Kentucky and beyond about violence against women, and explores the intersections between sexism, classism, exploitation, violence, poverty and immigration.
Who may apply for KFW grants?
Individual artists and arts organizations based in Kentucky may apply. For the purposes of this grant, individual artists must be creating strong, highly original artwork that reflects feminism and social change, and organizations must be engaging in arts-based activities.
What criteria are used in the review process?
The reviewers assess the applications based on the following criteria:
1. Artwork in sample is strong, highly original, and reflects feminism and social change.
2. Proposed activities will further applicant’s development as a feminist social change artist.
3. Application and work sample demonstrate applicant’s understanding and practice of feminism.
4. Application and work sample demonstrate a clear understanding of the relationship between art and social change.
5. Work plan, timeline, and budget are clear, detailed, and realistic.
6. Applicant’s ability to complete the proposed activities is clearly shown.
Note: When considering applications of equal merit, the KFW Board of Directors has asked reviewers to give priority to underrepresented demographic populations and first time applicants (applicants who have not received KFW funding).
How much money can I request?
Grants range from $ 1,000 to $7,500. Due to the number of strong applications received, KFW reviewers are rarely able to recommend full funding. The typical grant award is $2,000 to $4,000.
What are the Eligibility Requirements?
Because KFW is a private 501(c)3 foundation, grants cannot be used for:
- for-profit organizations
- tuition costs or living expenses while working toward a degree
- promotion of specific religious doctrines
- endowment or capital campaigns or renovations of institutional facilities
- general operating costs for organizations
Because KFW focuses on supporting the creation of art by feminists in Kentucky, KFW does not fund:
- non-art related expenses (i.e., overdue bills, taxes, etc.)
- work conducted by artists or organizations that have not resided in Kentucky for at least one year at the time of application
- activities that do not focus on improving the lives of Kentucky women
A Note About Archives
Duke University is the designated archive for all KFW records. After five years, the foundation forwards the files concerning funded grant proposals to the Rare Book Manuscripts and Special Collections Library at Duke University. All KFW records deposited at Duke are open to qualified researchers. By submitting this application, you waive any right to claim a privacy interest in the funded grant materials.
