EMERGENCY GRANTS
Created in 1993 to further FCA's mission to encourage, sponsor, and promote work of a contemporary, experimental nature, Emergency Grants provide urgent funding for visual and performing artists who:
Emergency Grants is the only active, multi-disciplinary program that offers immediate assistance of this kind to artists living and working anywhere in the United States, for projects occurring in the U.S. and abroad.
Each month, FCA receives an average of 95 Emergency Grant applications and makes approximately 12-15 grants. Grants range in amount from $500 to $2,500, and the average grant is now $1,600.
They recommend that artists review all of their eligibility guidelines and FAQs before applying. You may also complete their Eligibility Questionnaire, but please note that the questionnaire is not a substitute for a thorough review of program guidelines.
For information on current Emergency Grantees please follow FCA on Instagram and Facebook.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
EMERGENCY GRANTS DO NOT SUPPORT
WHEN TO APPLY
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To meet artists' last-minute needs in a timely manner, FCA's Emergency Grants panel meets monthly to review requests.
They recommend applying 6-8 weeks before your presentation date. They review applications received within a shorter timeline, but please keep in mind that you may not hear back from FCA until your project is underway.
You may not apply for a project that is more than eight weeks away, for a project that has already happened, or to request reimbursement for expenses you have already incurred.
Applicants should not request more funding than needed.
HOW TO APPLY
Emergency Grants applications are accepted through an online form.
If you have difficulty with internet access, please call or email the Foundation for a hard-copy application.
PANEL PROCESS
FCA's Emergency Grants panel is comprised of established practicing artists. All panelists have an active or former teaching practice and are familiar with emerging work and contemporary practices. Most panelists have also served on other peer review processes.
Panelists consider the urgent nature of each request, the opportunity for which the artist is applying for funding, the impact an Emergency Grant would have on the artist's ability to carry out the project, the clarity of the written request, and the strength of the work samples submitted.
Panelists serve for two-year terms; to prevent lobbying by applicants we do not disclose panelists' identities.
NOTIFICATION
Receipt of your application will be acknowledged via an automated email. Please be aware that communication from FCA may unintentionally go to your Spam folder.
Please do not contact FCA about the status of your application. All applicants will receive notification of the panel's decision following the monthly panel meeting. Grant checks are mailed to awardees the same week.
FCA has a small Programs team that is responsible for reviewing all Emergency Grants requests. They appreciate applicants refraining from calling with phone inquiries.
https://www.foundationforcontemporaryarts.org/grants/emergency-grants