The Newark Artist Accelerator (NAA) is a project grant for Newark-based, multidisciplinary visual artists. Grants are awarded in the amounts of $2,500, $5,000, and $7,500. Projects are artist-led and include collaborative ventures, pop-up exhibitions, events, and interventions of an ephemeral nature that are radically accessible to the public.
Beginning in 2021, in response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on artists, their families, and their communities, the Newark Artist Accelerator was initially established to provide emergency relief to artists in New Jersey. The NAA Fund continues to provide immediate need, merit-based funding to artists’ projects and collaborations annually and is committed to sustaining this grant program through ongoing funding from local foundations and donors.
The Newark Artist Accelerator Fund is powered by Project for Empty Space. The fund is made possible by the generous support of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Regional Regranting Program.
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.
Check out this year’s projects in progress, featuring images of: The Newark Wetlands Project by Amanda J. Thackray, By Way of Revolution Workshop: Newark, NJ by Helina Metaferia, Don’t Touch My Hair by Ayana Morris, Nork! Photo Fest by Gabe Ribeiro & The Nork! Project, Blues Hope Flags by Luisa F. Pinzon Romero & Lisa Conrad, Back 2 the Future: An Intergenerational Arts Program by Drama With A Twist, Threads of Resilience: Animated Narratives by Eirini Linardaki, The Sewing Circle: Weaving a Community of Care / El Costurero: by Tejiendo Comunidad de Cuidado Lina Puerta, The Potential Project: Newark by Bentrice Jusu.