CICF is committed to make Central Indiana a better, more beautiful, more equitable community. Support for our community's local artists is a key part of that ongoing commitment.

CICF Artist Ambassadors

Formed in 2019, the CICF Artist Ambassadors cohort was brought together to explore how CICF grant funding could support artists—specifically, artists of color, from the LGBTQ+ community, and artists with disabilities.

Since the group’s inception, it has interviewed and surveyed dozens of artists to understand the needs and perceptions of artists in our community. The group has intentionally taken a slow, exploratory process to provide support in ways that are responsive to the artist community’s needs in Central Indiana.

CICF Artist Ambassadors Travel Grant Program

The CICF Artist Ambassadors Travel Grant Program intends to provide Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), artists from the LBGTQ+ community, and artists with disabilities in Central Indiana with flexible funding to travel within North America to pursue opportunities that would expand or strengthen their creative practice. CICF’s Artist Ambassadors agree that dedicated time and space to visit and experience communities outside of Central Indiana is essential for any artist looking to expand their creative mind, gain access to new resources, make new connections and find additional inspiration.

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY

In order to be eligible for this program, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

  • Applicant must be a professional artist, band, or artist collective who devotes a meaningful portion of their time and treasure to the creation and presentation of their art form. Disciplines include:
    • Visual arts, including craft and textile (e.g., ceramics, painting, jewelry making, etc.)
    • Performing arts (e.g., dance, music, theatre, etc.) 
    • Literary arts (e.g., poetry, stage plays, novels, etc.)
    • Media arts (e.g., filmmaking, digital art, etc.)
    • Interdisciplinary
  • Applicant must identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, or an artist with a disability. If funding is for an artist collective or band, lead applicant and at least 50% of members must identify as the named communities.
  • Applicant must be a resident of Central Indiana (Marion, Boone, Hamilton, Madison, Hancock, Shelby, Johnson, Morgan, Hendricks counties)
  • Applicant must be 18 years of age or older. 
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

Travel funds can be used for the following activities within North America

  • Conducting institutional research (e.g., visiting a university or library archives)
  • Conducting field research (e.g., direct observation, qualitative interviews, etc.)
  • Booking studio time, a show, or a venue
  • Participating in or attending a fair, festival, or exhibition
  • Visiting a museum, history center, or historic landmark
  • Attending an industry conference
  • Attending a live performance
  • Taking classes or obtaining specialized training
  • Networking with other artists, arts administrators, art collectives, arts organizations, patrons, and/or businesses

Travel funds may be used to support both existing opportunities—which have already been booked or scheduled—and new opportunities. 

ELIGIBLE EXPENSES

Travel funds may be used on the following expenses:

  • Transportation (e.g., airfare, rental car, etc.)
  • Lodging (e.g., hotel, Airbnb, etc.)
  • Registration, participation, or programmatic fees (e.g., conference, class, etc.)
  • Booking fees (e.g., venue rental, studio, etc.)
  • Admissions (e.g., concert, museum, festival, etc.)
  • Transportation of materials, supplies, artwork, instruments, etc.

Recipients will be required to complete an IRS Form W-9 and will receive a 1099 Form at the appropriate time. Artist is solely responsible for any tax liability incurred when accepting these funds. 

AWARD RANGE

Applicant may request up to $5,000. The requested grant amount should be based on a detailed budget of eligible expenses. 

APPLICATION PROCESS & TIMELINE
  • Application Open: July 1, 2023
  • Application Close: August 13, 2023
  • Review Dates: August-September
  • Notification Date: By September 30, 2023

applications  close aug. 13

This application is currently closed for submissions.

Meet the ambassadors
  • D. Del Reverda-Jennings
    —interdisciplinary artist: visual, curator, published journalist, author, poet, jewelry designer & founder of FLAVA FRESH!
  • Eduardo Luna
    —conceptual artist, cultural promoter & founder of Arte Mexicano en Indiana
  • Stacia Murphy
    —community & arts-centered advocate
  • Channie Jones
    —director of equity partnerships, Indy Arts Council
  • Manon Voice
    —    multi-hyphenate: poet and writer, spoken word artist and filmmaker, hip-hop emcee, educator, and community builder. Co-founder of Kindred Collective.
  • Mariah Ivy
    —poet/musician, founder of That Peace Open Mic,  Programs & Outreach Madam Walker Legacy Center
  • Wildstyle Paschall
    —musician, photographer and writer
  • Joanna Nixon
    —Nixon Consulting
  • Mali Jeffers
    —cultural entrepreneur, co-founder, GANGGANG
  • Nigel Long
    —programming + curation manager, GANGGANG
  • Ben Tebbe
    —community leadership officer, The Indianapolis Foundation
  • Clayton De Fur
    —director of family philanthropy,  CICF

The deadline to submit an application is Aug. 13, 2023 by 1 p.m. Grant awards will be announced Sept. 30, 2023. Recipients will have through June 30, 2024, to utilize grant funding. 

No. Only individual artists or artist collectives are eligible to apply. However, if selected for a grant, artists can choose to have their funds disbursed to their not-for-profit or other business entity as needed. 

We are committed to equity and inclusion and view data as an essential tool to be accountable to this commitment. As an applicant, your data will be viewed by the CICF Artist Ambassadors who will conduct the review process. Additionally, aggregated applicant data will be collected, summarized, and shared in reports to funders and/or the public, without disclosing any personal information.

Yes. CICF will disclose and publicize the grant awards.

Yes. A final report detailing the completion of the project will be necessary.

A W9 and Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) are required by the IRS in order to distribute grants to artists. We will collect this information after you’ve been notified of your selection. 

Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) and a team of Artist Ambassadors from the community have partnered to conduct these grant rounds and award grants to artists who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and/or artists with disabilities. An anonymous donor of CICF. and Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation granted funds to CICF to award through this grant program.

The purpose of the grant program is to support, enhance or advance an artist's practice, productivity, skill, knowledge, creative acumen, cultural awareness, approach, project(s), connections, network, materials/supplies, marketing-promotion, artistic project-related travel, facilitation of an event, exhibit(s), participation in an event, shipping of artwork, etc. The use of funds related to these efforts is suggested as long as it is documented.