Application due: January 8th, 2025 at 11:59pm EST.
Powerhouse Arts (PHA) has formally announced the launch of the anticipated Artist Subsidy Program, a program designed to subsidize fabrication services for New York City-based artists facing financial barriers in realizing their projects. Based on data from PHA’s demographic survey covering May to August 2024, current findings reveal that the organization’s community, which includes clients, community members, and event attendees, identifies as: 49% Black, Indigenous, or people of color
(BIPOC), 14% LGBTQIA+, 41% low to moderate income backgrounds, and 17% who report
having a chronic condition.
© Powerhouse Arts
PHA’s research further identifies that a majority of our current artist clients can afford current fabrication fees — only 5% of our projects are declined due to high costs. Accordingly, a key focus of this program will be outreach to artists who lack funding, institutional support, knowledge of available resources, and/or gallery representation. Outreach efforts will be conducted in partnership with a network of PHA’s community and institutional partners, community of artists, and fellow collaborators.
Artists receive subsidized labor costs for fabrication services including materials up to $6,250 in one of the shops in Print, Ceramics, Digital Print Lab, and Public Art, covering areas such as research & development (R&D), fabrication, production, and consultancy.
Additionally, artists will receive knowledge and guidance from PHA’s team of expert fabricators and a session with development staff on fundraising strategies. This package also includes promotional marketing through the organization’s Instagram and newsletter.
PHA’s Associate Director of Artist Experience Angélica María Millan Lozano, who has collaborated with the broader PHA team to spearhead this effort states: “We recognize that barriers to entry often stem from systems of oppression—including racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and economic inequality—which create significant obstacles for artists in accessing and participating in the arts. As a Latina artist in New York City, I know all too well the grind — the struggle — to find resources, support, and sustainability in our industry, so that we can continue to produce artwork that tells the vibrant, and important story of our respective worldview. To address these challenges, we aim to prioritize low-income artists with other marginalized identities, specifically Black, Indigenous, artists
of color, LGBTQIA+, disabled, and refugee artists through our Artist Subsidy Program.”
Note: The Artist Subsidy Program is subject to change. Each year, PHA anticipates that the structure of the program will be modified and improved-upon based on feedback from the participants to better meet their needs. As a result, artists can expect continual enhancements and adjustments aimed at enriching their artistic growth.
Apply for Powerhouse Arts Artist Subsidy Program here
For additional details, please review the Budget Guide.
Application due: January 8th, 2025 at 11:59pm EST.
Members of PHA will assess the qualifications of all applicants, a Community Council will evaluate the community impact, and a Final Jury will make the final selection of 4 artists to be awarded subsidies in Spring of 2025.
Applications reopen on an annual basis.
©2024 Powerhouse Arts
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