The Cambridge Art Association’s new Emergency Fund for Visual Artists will provide grants to artists engaging in career defining opportunities – gallery exhibitions, publications, residencies – and will support the logistics of such opportunities. This includes covering the costs of framing, shipping, and travel – items that often present an impediment to participation.
Upcoming deadline: November 1, for Fall 2024 Grant Cycle
Why are the CAA’s goals for the Emergency Fund?
Over the past four years, CAA staff members have received an increase in requests for shipping support, entry fee waivers, and similar kinds of financial support that is often needed at the last minute. We were able to respond in 2020 with fee waivers for all CAA exhibits. Annually, approximately 10% of exhibition applicants utilize these fee waivers.
What we learned in working to assist artists with other kinds of funding is this: very few grants are readily available for these needs, and there are only a handful of programs, regionally or nationally, that provide this type of support. As an organization committed to supporting artists of all ages – and particularly emerging artists of all ages – 2024 feels like the time to launch this new kind of support for our community. The Emergency Fund aligns directly with both our ongoing mission and a renewed focus on creating equitable access to opportunity for all visual artists.
In Fall 2024, Cambridge Art Association (CAA) will award 4 grants of $500 each. There will be two cycles each year – with Spring and Fall application deadlines. In addition to a cash grant, awardees will receive a one-year CAA membership, which includes access to members-only exhibitions, programs, discounts, and networking opportunities.
Spring 2024 awards will be presented on May 10, at the CAA’s annual Spring Art Party. Fall awards will be presented in early November 2024.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must reside in the Metro Boston Area, with preference given to applicants who reside in Cambridge, MA.
What kinds of projects or opportunities are eligible for funding?
This new fund is designed to support transformational opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach for applicants. These may include: exhibition opportunities that require framing or other materials costs; travel expenses related to residencies; or emergency expenses related to maintaining a visual arts practice – including rent and materials costs. The opportunity must be clearly defined, and applicants must supply supporting material as part of the application – including letters of acceptance, etc.
If you have questions after reviewing the application form, please contact Erin Becker at ebecker@cambridgeart.org. No phone calls, please.
Spring 2024 Grantees
- Alex Blaisdell
- Anna Fubini
- Ryan Horton
- Rania Abadalla Kadafour
- Soyoung Kim
- Anastasia Sierra
- Azadeh Tajpour
Photograph by Mark Ostow
Thank you to our founding supporters:
Cambridge Arts
Nancy & Kenneth Crasco
David Fogel & Jill Bradley
Hillary Rolls Kelly & Jason Kelly
Holly & Ned Larner
Deb & Ron Peeples
Margaret & John Sheldon
Featured image courtesy of Amy Dyer