We are at the precipice of a crisis in our art.
Prodigious effort is going into programs and initiatives that create supply – opportunities to educate artists and help them create and exhibit work – which is resulting in a dramatic increase in the number of fine art photographers and huge volumes of their art. Little support focuses on creating a demand for this art. Demand is not keeping up with supply, and if not corrected, will create a huge imbalance where there is an abundance of art but no audience for it. Crusade for Art is dedicated to cultivating demand for art.A sizable financial award to artists who are creatively exploring this systemic problem of demand will put our greatest resource – the brainpower of our creative force, our artists – against this challenge and have the best chance of finding solutions.
Applications for the 2016 grant cycle are now open.
The deadline for applications is Friday, April 22 at midnight est.
Want some inspiration?
View the 2015 finalists and winner here.
Read about the 2014 Crusade Engagement Grant finalists and winner here.
We are interested in well-developed projects that:
- Create an aesthetic experience – one that actively involves the viewer’s senses, emotion, and intellect
- Provide opportunities for interacting with the photographer and/or the images
- Lower the perceptual barriers to participation with art (inexperience with and lack of knowledge about art, intimidating situations or environments, perception that art is not accessible, etc.)
- Clearly identify the target audience (not “the general public”) for a body or type of work and how the project will specifically aim to reach that audience
We are not interested in projects that:
- Seek funding to create or complete a body of work
- Seek funding to mount an exhibition (unless the exhibition has unique features designed to attract and engage new audiences)
- Seek funding to participate in a class or workshop
- Seek funding for book production
Eligibility Criteria
- Any single photographer, project organizer, or group of artists 18 years or older is eligible to apply.
- There is no limit to the number of project ideas an individual can submit, however each project must be submitted in a separate application.
