Editor’s Preface: Artists need money to support their projects – especially artists who work experimentally and push boundaries of what art can be. Before the late 1980s, government funding was available directly to artists, and much good and groundbreaking work resulted. But as conservative times dawned, and the NEA was attacked by conservatives, most direct government funding to artists evaporated, and many private arts funders shied away from the experimental. Philadelphia artists are fortunate to have the Velocity Fund, which fills that funding void with its program to support artists that are trying new things and broadening the definition of what art is, and who an artist can be. We encourage you to apply for these grant awards and help Philadelphia art be groundbreaking, exciting and flourishing. – The Editors
From now through Monday, June 6th, the Velocity Fund is accepting applications from Philadelphia-based artists for grants awarding up to $5,000! How does Velocity define “art?” Widely– with genre examples including tattooing, bookmaking, culinary arts, and many more– and with preference for experimentation and collaboration.
Testimonies from two past recipients of Velocity funding affirm the importance of the awards to assisting them and their projects:
“The Velocity Fund helped me take myself seriously as a producer and small business. With their support my company, Dusky Projects, was able to complete the second season of our podcast and continue to employ women in voice over, sound direction and design. The Velocity Fund helped me further my mission of creating opportunities for women of color in horror and sci-fi,”
– Wi-Moto Nyoka, Horror/Sci-fi Writer and Arts Educator, 2021 Velocity Fund Grantee
“Some times we artists feel isolated when building our practice and believe that no-one is paying attention, but some times, fortunately for us, there are foundations that work with honest, clever, passionate people who help them see clearly who is in the field, working hard, artistically motivated by this inner force needed to transform things around us for the greater good. Velocity Fund is giving that much needed support with a direct process where you only have to show who you truly are.”
– Cesar Viveros, Public Artist/Community Activist, 2021 Velocity Fund Grantee
How to Apply
The on-line application is available now. Artists have until Monday, June 6th to submit their proposal. Projects should be experimental in nature and explore collaborative processes between artistic genres. There is no fee to apply.
Applications Opened: March 25, 2022 – via Submittable
Applications Due: June 6, 2022
Information Sessions
The Velocity Fund staff has to date hosted eight information sessions either online or at arts venues around town. The final information session in 2022 takes place Online June 2.
Final Information Session – ONLINE JUNE 2, 1:00 PM
Register here
Thursday, June 2 at 1pm
On-Line Event: Joint Information Session with NextFab
Featuring 2021 Grantee Maria Dumlao (2021 Velocity Awardee). Hear Maria talking with Artblog Radio’s Logan Cryer in 2021.
Have any questions? Check out The Velocity Fund FAQ or email them directly at velocity@philadelphiacontemporary.org
The Velocity Fund was established with support from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, whose regional regranting supports vibrant under-the-radar artistic activity by partnering with local cultural institutions. The Velocity Fund is administered by Philadelphia Contemporary, an art organization whose mission is to connect the people and places of Philadelphia through art and partnership.
“To dovetail with Philadelphia Contemporary’s new addition of the Lived Culture curatorial program, which expands our definition of the arts to encompass non-traditional forms of making, we’re excited to now welcome a wider range of creative and artistic practices to apply for funding through The Velocity Fund”
– Nicole Pollard, Curator of Lived Culture, Philadelphia Contemporary
