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LACE Lightning Fund- Artist Recovery Grants
July 9, 2021 @ 8:00 am - August 9, 2021 @ 11:30 pm
The LACE Lightning Fund is returning for a second round! This artist recovery grant program was made possible by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Last December the program awarded 51 emergency grants in the amount of $1,500 each. For its second round, the Lightning Fund will provide recovery and relief grants for independent visual artists based in Los Angeles County who are experiencing financial hardship due to the severe economic impacts of COVID-19 on artists’ livelihoods and practices. This fund is in solidarity with partners in the Warhol Foundation’s Regional Regranting Network.
This effort reflects LACE’s commitment to artists, supporting their livelihood and practice with multifaceted care.
This summer a total of 50 grants of $1,500 each will be awarded. Only applicants that are LA County residents, are at least 18 years of age, and are experiencing financial hardship due to the impact of COVID-19 will be considered. Please note: If you were a recipient of a Round I Lightning Fund Grant, you will not be eligible for an additional grant.
This application form will ask you to: 1. Indicate financial hardship or need and 2. demonstrate an active visual art* practice by submitting a link to an artist website, instagram page, image, or other display of your work.
The Lightning Fund will use a lottery method this year. The application includes a series of demographic questions that will be used to weight entries. LACE is committed to strong consideration for Black, Indigenous, POC, elder, LGBTQ+, disabled, immunocompromised, and immigrant artists.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications are only accepted online through this google form. Emailed or hard copy submissions will not be accepted. Should you need help with the application process email lightningfund@welcometolace.org
TIMELINE
- Applications open Friday, July 9, 2021, at 10:00 AM PDT on the LACE website and close Monday, August 9, 2021, at 11:59 PM PDT. This deadline is firm – late applications will not be entered in the lottery.
- Applicants will be notified of decisions by late August.
- Grant funds will be issued by early September 2021 (As this is primarily a need-based grant, all grantees will remain anonymous.)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE APPLICATION PROCESS AND AWARD
In the interest of distributing the funds quickly and efficiently, we have attempted to anticipate and answer common questions below. Please refer to the FAQ’s before contacting Lightning Fund staff. We want you to apply with the knowledge and skills you have at hand. After reviewing the FAQ’s, if you still have an urgent question about eligibility, the application form/process, or the program at large, please contact a Lightning Fund staff member at lightning@welcometolace.org for assistance.
WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF VISUAL ART OR VISUAL ARTIST*?
We have an expansive definition of visual art practice. In addition to more traditional forms such as drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, installation, and similar mediums, we are also open to artists practicing in film/video, new media, sound art, performance art, and social practice. Artists whose practices are firmly rooted in dance, theatre, music, or industry/feature filmmaking are not eligible to apply. We are open to innovation, experimentation, and risk-taking in the field and are supportive of diverse approaches to visual art making.
WHY IS THE GRANT EXCLUSIVE TO VISUAL ARTISTS?
The Lightning Fund is part of the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts’ Regional Regranting Network, which exclusively serves visual artists, in line with its founding mission.
WHAT KIND OF VISUAL SUPPORT MATERIAL ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Applicants will be asked to provide a link that demonstrates an active visual art practice for the past three (3) years or more. This can include a link to the artist’s website, social media, a review, CV, or just images of work. The application is meant to be simple so as not to create more burden for artists or ask for too much of their time, energy, or focus, in the already stressful conditions under which we are living.
HOW DO I DETERMINE IF I MEET THE FINANCIAL NEED REQUIREMENTS?
Eligibility is based on an applicant’s self-determination of need. We do not require proof of lost income, cancelations, etc. We ask applicants to identify their financial need via multiple choice questions. Relief aid is meant to serve those most vulnerable who are challenged to afford essential costs of living, such as food, rent/mortgage, utilities, transportation, healthcare, prescriptions, caregiving, and childcare. Please be honest in assessing your own need and mindful that we receive far more applications than we are able to fund. If you are currently financially stable (able to pay rent, buy food, etc.), please refrain from applying at this time.
ARE THERE RESTRICTIONS ON HOW THE FUNDS ARE USED?
There is no restriction on the usage of funds. Once granted, artists may use the award however they see fit. There will be no final report required.
DO THE GRANT AMOUNTS FLUCTUATE? CAN APPLICANTS REQUEST MORE OR LESS THAN $1,500?
No. All awardees will receive $1,500.
WILL GRANT RECIPIENT NAMES BE PUBLICIZED?
No, all awardees’ names will be kept confidential and will not be publicized by LACE.
ABOUT THE LACE LIGHTNING FUND
The LACE Lighting Fund is an annual grant for artists and artist-driven organizations, projects, and publications. For its inaugural funding round in 2020, the Lightning Fund provided emergency relief grants for 51 LA based artists.
SUPPORTERS
The LACE Lightning Fund is administered with lead support from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts as part of the Regional Regranting Network of the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
LACE recognizes our local partners who share the Lightning Fund opportunity with artists in their communities. Thank you to our friends and colleagues at:
Avenue 50 Studio
ABOUT THE WARHOL REGIONAL REGRANTING PROGRAM
The Regional Re-granting Program was established in 2007 to recognize and support the movement of independently organized, public-facing, artist-centered activity that animates local and regional art scenes but that lies beyond the reach of traditional funding sources. The program is administered by non-profit visual art centers across the United States that work in partnership with the Foundation to fund artists’ experimental projects and collaborative undertakings.
Since its inception, the Regional Re-granting Program has grown steadily, adding new cities and regions to its national network each year. When COVID-19 hit and it became clear that artists needed a different kind of support, the Foundation’s Board authorized a programmatic pivot; the existing 16 partners in the Regional Re-granting Program swiftly set up COVID-19 emergency relief funds to help artists cover basic living/medical/child-care expenses. Since April 2020, the Foundation’s original 16 Regional Re-granting partners have disbursed over $1 million in emergency grants. When the pandemic entered its 8th month, the Foundation doubled the number of re-granting partners in its network; 16 new programs provided emergency funds to artists in their regions while many of the original 16 programs have already begun a second round of emergency grants.
