Visual artists in Indianapolis struggling due to COVID-19 have a new way of seeking financial support. The Power Plant Emergency Grant program will give out $60,000 by providing 60 artists $1,000 each over six weeks starting Nov. 2.  Power Plant grants are new to the city and will be facilitated by the nonprofit arts organization, Big Car Collaborative, thanks to funding from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts based in New York.

GRANT AMOUNT:  $1,000

ELIGIBILITY:  Visual artists living in Indianapolis

DEADLINE: December 7, 2020

Through its Regional Re-Granting Program, the Andy Warhol Foundation works with partners across the United States to support contemporary experimental artistic practice. Power Plant grants will continue in 2021 as annual, non-emergency, support for Indianapolis visual artists with grants between $2,500 and $10,000.

Big Car Collaborative, based in the Garfield Park neighborhood of Indianapolis, sees Power Plant grants as energizing the arts community and supporting artists by encouraging them to grow through taking chances, realizing untapped potential, trying experimental projects, collaborating with others, and bringing work to unusual places.

Starting Nov. 2 – December 7, 10 visual artists a week will be selected to receive $1,000. This is based on a lottery system weighted to prioritize applicants with the greatest need. Funds are for individual artists specifically. Nonprofit entities, full time students and artist teams are not eligible.

Power Plant Emergency grants will be accepted on an ongoing basis beginning immediately with the first notifications on Nov. 2. To be entered for the first drawing announced artists should plan to complete the application by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23. Artists can still apply after Oct. 23 to be eligible for future drawings. Once an artist has entered an application, they will remain in the pool until all funds are distributed.

Power Plant Emergency grants support visual and multidisciplinary artist who create original work in painting, drawing, sculpture, book art, ceramics, fiber, printmaking, digital/media works, film, video, photography, performance art, sound art, social practice and/or hybrid or interdisciplinary practices of any or all of the above.

Big Car will offer Zoom and Facebook Live interactive sessions explaining details of the program and answering questions on Oct. 20 and November 3 at 6:30 p.m.

“This new regranting program is all about empowering artists and supporting their growth and the growth of visual arts in Indianapolis. Power Plant grants will help keep artists planted here,” said Shauta Marsh, Big Car co-founder and director of programs and exhibitions. “We know the work artists do generates growth and creative energy for our city. Indiana is also known for both agriculture and industry. So, by bringing these together in the name of the program, we’re rooting the program in place.”

What’s behind the name? With this new regranting program — which will continue in 2021 with an annual grant program for visual artists and artist-run spaces — we strive to empower artists and support their individual growth and the growth of visual arts in Indianapolis. Power Plant grants will help keep artists “planted” in Indianapolis. We know the work artists do generates growth and creative energy for our city. Indiana is also known for both agriculture and industry. So, by bringing these together in the name of the program, we’re rooting the program in place.

WHAT TO PROVIDE

• Application form
• Samples of work: 5-13 examples

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online through the CaFE system.

QUESTIONS? Contact Shauta Marsh at Big Car, shauta@bigcar.org