The Newark Artist Accelerator grant was created by Project for Empty Space in 2020 to give emergency support to artists impacted by the pandemic. The 2020 inaugural phase of the grant focused on emergency support, distributing forty-five, fifteen hundred dollar, unrestricted emergency grants to artists to use as disaster relief aid. The 2021 Newark Artist Accelerator is a hybridized opportunity that will provide both emergency grants and project-based grants for Newark-based, multidisciplinary visual artists. This year’s fund is made possible by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Regional Regranting Program and The New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund.

Emergency grants will be provided in the amount of $1,000 for artists who demonstrate a need due to COVID-19 related financial hardship. Applicants will be asked to self-select from a list of criteria that include: loss of income, rent or mortgage payment hardship, hospitalization, a lost opportunity that has short or long term career impact (residencies, performances, exhibitions, etc.), additional childcare needs, and more. Grants will be awarded using a lottery system.

Project-based grants will be awarded in the amount of $3,000 - $5,000. Proposed projects must be artist-led, and can include collaborative ventures, pop-up exhibitions, events, and interventions of an ephemeral nature that are radically accessible to public audiences. We are looking for investigative and authentic initiatives. Applications will be assessed by the proposal’s originality, impact and realistic ability to be executed. Projects will be selected by a jury of local arts professionals.

All 2021 applicants have been notified at this time. Please reach out to info@newarkartistaccelerator.org with any questions.

The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Regional Regranting Program aims to support vibrant, under-the-radar artistic activity by partnering with leading cultural institutions in communities across the country. The program allows the Foundation to reach the sizable population of informal, non-incorporated artist collectives and to support their alternative gathering spaces, publications, websites, events and other projects.

The New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund was established to ensure the survival and strength of the state’s arts, cultural and historical sector during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.