This program is also a part of the Surdna Foundation's "Radical Imagination for Racial Justice" initiative, which seeks to support civic practice projects. Amidst the pandemic, The Southern Artists for Social Change program was started in 2020 and awarded 12 projects with over $300,000 worth of grants.
Eligible artists for the 2021 cycle are those who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color (BIPOC) who are actively taking part in social change. Applicants must also be 18 years or older and have been a resident of Louisiana, Mississippi, or Alabama for at least five years. Individual artists or artist collectives who have collaborated for at least two years are invited to apply.
As stated on The National Performance Network's website, projects eligible to receive a grant should include the following terms: "(1) identify community challenges or needs, (2) imagine a different future, and (3) practice, test, or design for approaches toward that future that center racial justice."
Some of the eligible disciplines for the projects that can receive a grant include Visual Arts, Media Arts, Puppetry, Literary Arts, and Music. When applying, artists are expected to write a short biography, a statement of intent, and provide work samples.
Curators, researchers, non-profit organizations, and high school or college students pursuing a degree are not eligible to apply for this program at this time. To be considered, applications are due by July 30 at 11:59 p.m. The 2021 grantees will be announced in early November.
For more information, please visit npnweb.org/programs.
