Red Bull Arts, an experimental arts program owned by the energy drink company, has announced a nationwide microgrant program open to artists in 19 cities, including Dallas. The program will award $1,000 to two artists in each city on a monthly basis through the end of the year, meaning $10,000 will be dispersed among Dallas artists before 2021 hits. The organization has put together committees of local art professionals and activists in each city to sort through submissions and choose two recipients each month.
Red Bull Arts expanded the microgrants program to support artists and communities that have been financially crippled by the coronavirus crisis. The concept was initiated in Detroit, where Red Bull Arts has a gallery that supports a curatorial fellowship, artist residency program, and a local microgrant initiative.
The organization planned to expand its reach on a national level this spring with a traveling exhibition by artist Akeem Smith, which has been postponed to the fall.
The pandemic pushed the organization to expedite and rethink its expansion across the country, for the time being at least, to support a larger number of artists.
In addition to Dallas, Red Bull Arts will be awarding microgrants to artists in Austin/San Antonio (interestingly, the two cities have been lumped together), and Houston. The first round will come in August, and applications are now open on a rolling basis. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, living in the city they apply to, and able to receive taxable income in the U.S. regardless of their citizenship status. Groups and individual artists are eligible.
You can read more about what Red Bull Arts is looking for in its applicants here, and shoot your shot here.
