Indianapolis Artist Bridge Loan Fund

A Project of the Herbert Simon Family Foundation

The Indianapolis Artist Bridge Loan Fund is an opportunity provided by the Herbert Simon Family Foundation to support local artists and creatives in accessing funding to realize contracted projects that are for public benefit.

The goal of the fund is to help local artists, creatives and collectives develop their careers and complete works at larger scales that otherwise might not be feasible without access to capital.

Funds are intended to “bridge” the gap between when the artist has to make these initial expenditures and when they can invoice the client for progress payments.

Program details & Eligibility

  • The fund will provide no-interest financing, up to 50% of the total contract value.  
  • Minimum loan: $1,000  
  • Maximum loan: $25,000 
  • Terms of loan repayment will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.  
  • Funds must be used for expenses directly related to completing the contracted project: for example: purchasing materials, renting space or equipment, taking out required insurance, hiring labor, etc. 

  • Applicants may be individual artists, creatives, or collectives that are based in Central Indiana (Marion, Boone, Hamilton, Madison, Hancock, Shelby, Johnson, Morgan or Hendricks counties).   
  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old.  
  • While applicants must reside in Central Indiana, the contract work is not restricted to Central Indiana. 
  • Projects are open to all art forms, including visual arts, performing arts, music, interdisciplinary arts, literary arts, etc.  
  • Projects must be for public benefit. 
    • For example: a commission inside a private home is not eligible. 

The program will prioritize artists identifying as one or more of the following: BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, women, or persons with disabilities.

To receive funds, a signed contract for the work must be in hand and submitted.  

  • A signed contract can be submitted with the application, or can be submitted at a later date if not complete at time of application. If the contract is not yet complete, please submit a document outlining the current state of contract negotiations.

  • Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, subject to the availability of funds.   
  • Funding decisions will be made monthly. 

APPLICATION

Indianapolis Artist Bridge Loan Fund

ARTIST INFORMATION

Email
Confirm email
If providing a link to a social media account, please only provide a link to your professional, artist social media account, not your personal account.
Address
Address
Address Line 1
Address Line 2
City
State/Province
Zip/Postal

DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Gender Identity
What are your pronouns?
Racial/Ethnic Identity (select all that apply)
Age
Do you identify as LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, or Asexual)
Do you identify as a person with a visible or non-visible hearing or visual impairment, physical, intellectual, psychiatric and/or neurological disability?
Do you identify with any other marginalized or underappreciated populations (ex. Immigrant/refugee status, religion, gender, etc.)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

When will work begin? When will the work be complete? When do you need to start making purchases? When will you receive final payment? When do you estimate being able to start making repayments on the loan?

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Maximum file size: 268.44MB

Maximum file size: 268.44MB

If a signed contract is not available, please submit a draft contract, or a document outlining the current scope of contract negotiations. A signed contract will be required before disbursement of funds.

Maximum file size: 268.44MB

Please ensure your W9 is reflective of the entity that will receive the funding (personal, LLC, or 501c3). If you do not have a W9 on file, please complete your W9 at: https://www.in.gov/dva/files/W9-fillable.pdf