Field Funds // Open Call: Collective Work

This year, A Blade of Grass is in conversation with artist groups through our new program In Fellowship. As they explore support for group work, they are excited to offer a cycle of Field Funds exclusively for cooperative, collective, and collaborative groups. Established collaboratives of three or more artists can apply for $500 towards any expense category from previous Field Funds open calls: Artist-led Gatherings, Accessibility & Translation, and Documentation & Archiving.

They believe all parts of the creative process are valuable—from seeding new ideas to sharing work with audiences and archiving fleeting experiences. So, they designed a process where all eligible applications have the same chance of being funded. For this reason, there is no need for applicants to make a case for why a project is deserving of support, instead they ask applicants to speak directly and concisely to how they will specifically use $500.

All applications will be reviewed for eligibility. All eligible applications will be automatically assigned a number, and a number generator will make final selections randomly. Due to the support of donors to Field Funds, 5-7 applications will be selected for funding each cycle. Their intention is to create a nimble process that can be responsive to feedback and the changing needs of practitioners.

Requirements

U.S.-based groups of 3 or more artists, creative practitioners, and/or culture bearers with a demonstrated history of collaboratively creating socially engaged art. Field Funds uses the terms artist and socially engaged art, but we understand that not all practitioners identify with the same language. Regardless of how they describe their work, eligible applicants will be able to show in their application that their practice:

• Applies creative strategies and interventions that make society more just, kind, safe, and free.
• Involves and builds relationships with communities and collaborators in ways that are meaningful to those they work with.
• Uses processes and skills beyond those used to create studio artwork or traditional performance—including advocacy, dialogue, facilitation, organizing, and research.

Please note that Field Funds does not accept applications from nonprofit organizations or commercial businesses. Eligible groups should identify a representative to be the point person for this application. If selected, this person would sign the agreement on the behalf of your group and coordinate payment of the $500.