The Jersey City Arts Council (JCAC) has launched two new grant opportunities for artists living in Jersey City: the Antenna Grant for Women in the Arts and the Jersey City Artist Recovery Fund. The purpose of the these grants is to provide increased arts education access to underserved groups and economic support for those in the community who have lost work due to COVID.
The Antenna Grant for Women in the Arts, developed in partnership with artist Shamona Stokes, will provide financial support and mentorship for young womxn (female identifying) in Jersey City pursuing a career in the arts. The grant is open to womxn artists between the ages of 16-23 who show artistic promise and a commitment to pursuing a career in the visual arts. Priority will be given to artists of color and those with financial need. The program was initiated partially funded by Stokes from the profits from the sale of her large-scale sculpture Antenna. Jersey City developer SILVERMAN is also providing support. The deadline for applying for this grant is March 24th.
JCAC is also offering a limited number of emergency relief grants to individuals working in the arts from the Jersey City Artist Recovery Fund. These grants can be used to help support artists’ basic living and career-sustaining needs due to the loss of work and earning opportunities caused by COVID-19 illness or related business disruptions. All people who work professionally in the arts, including visual and performing artists, administrators, designers, and teaching artists, are eligible to apply. Data has shown that the pandemic has disproportionately affected Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC), and those who have been disproportionately affected are strongly encouraged to apply. This grant is made possible by support from the New Jersey Arts & Culture Recovery Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation, and is done in collaboration with Nimbus Dance Works. The deadline for applying is March 17th..
“Our artists have been severely impacted by the pandemic, and we’re grateful to those who have helped us provide support,” said Heather Warfel Sandler, Chair of the JCAC. “Artists and access to arts education are imperative to a thriving Jersey City, and we will continue our work to ensure the arts community can rebound when the pandemic ends.”
More information and applications for both the Antenna Grant for Women in the Arts and the Jersey City Artist Recovery Fund can be found on the JCAC website.