Platforms Fund
Application Guidelines & FAQ
The Platforms Fund is a collaborative effort of Antenna, Ashé Cultural Art Center, Junebug Productions, The Black School and the Andy Warhol Foundation. The Andy Warhol Foundation Regional Regranting 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.
Project grants of up to $10,000 and research grants of $1500 are awarded annually to New Orleans based individual and collective artists, and art groups in support of new and innovative artistic commissions that take place outside the museum or gallery walls, within the public realm, or in a non-traditional exhibition environment. Grants are awarded to projects that best exemplify an attention to the histories, communities, and ecologies of the region and their (trans)national implications, while reimagining artmaking for social change.
Guidelines
Platforms Fund Grants are awarded in two categories: Project Implementation, and Research & Development.
Research & Development Grants are awarded to projects in the early stages of planning, to support initial research, outreach and project development. These projects are eligible to apply for future Project Implementation funding.
Project Implementation Grants are awarded to projects that are approaching presentation throughout the granting period. These projects will have confirmed partners, finalized budgets, and an established timeline for implementation.
Platforms Grants will only be awarded in the category chosen at the time of application. You can apply for a Platforms Grant once annually. Should you receive a Research & Development Grant, you are eligible to apply for a Project Implementation Grant the following year. However, should you receive a Project Implementation Grant as the project lead, you must wait one year to apply for another grant. Any given project is only eligible to receive one Research & Development Grant and one Project Implementation Grant.
Application materials to be uploaded into Submittable include the following:
- Your full legal name, address (city, state, zip), phone number, and email, and those of your collaborators
- an up to two-page description of the project: applying for research and development or project grant, include details of the exhibition/project venue(s); an individual or collective artists statement related to the proposed project; the amount of your request.
- An updated CV and link to website for individuals and collectives or collaborations.
- A balanced project budget. You may use our template or create your own.
- A project timeline.
- Project Information to be shared publicly should a grant be awarded
Application Opens June 15, 2023
Application Closes August 15, 2023
Grant Recipients Announced October 15, 2023
Reporting Due July 15th, 2024
Funded projects must commence between October 15, 2023 and October 15, 2024
Platforms Fund Public Info Session 1
Saturday June 17, 1-2 PM, 2-4 PM scheduled individual artists meeting to review proposal ideas (In Person, hosted by Antenna)
Location: Antenna Gallery
3718 St. Claude Avenue, New Orleans
Platforms Fund Public Info Session 2
Wednesday July 12, 5:30-6:30 PM (In-person at Ashé Cultural Arts Center)
Location: Ashé Cultural Arts Center
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans
Platforms Fund Public Info Session 3
Wednesday, July 26, 6-7 PM (Virtual, hosted by Junebug Productions)
Platforms Fund Public Info Session 4
Wednesday Aug 2, 2023, 6-7PM (Virtual, hosted by The Black School)
Email your questions or to schedule an appointment contact: info@antenna.works
- Platforms Fund awards grants to visual art centered Artists, Collectives, Collaboratives, Curators, Cultural Organizers, Artist-Run Spaces, and writers with three years residency and currently residing in the Greater New Orleans Area (Orleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, and St. Tammany Parishes or within a 50-mile radius of New Orleans in Louisiana) and who are not LLC’s nor have a 501(c)(3) connected to their creative activities*.
- Antenna Collective, board, staff or fiscal sponsorships are not eligible for Platforms Grants.
- Previous “Project Implementation” leads grantees must wait a full year from the date of their last grant award to re-apply for funding. Research grantees are eligible to apply the year following their research grant.
- Students are NOT eligible to apply for funding.
*Please note: Artist-led projects can partner with otherwise excluded incorporated businesses (see above), but the project must be distinct and separate from that organization’s regular programming. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact the Platforms Fund team in advance of applying, info@antenna.works
Platforms Fund will sometimes award partial amounts, i.e. less than the amount requested in the application. In these instances, the Platforms team will confirm with the applicant that the project is still viable with the reduced amount.
The review committee will consider the following when reviewing Platform Fund Proposals, ranking each rubric item 1-5, with 5 as the highest score.
- Proposed Project has attention to histories, communities and ecologies of the region
- Proposed Project reimagines artmaking for social change
- Proposed Project demonstrates a research based approach.
- Proposed Project demonstrates an innovative approach to visual art expression
- Proposed Project demonstrates collaborative approach with community partners and a broad audience reach.
Applications open: June 15th 2022 – August 1 2022
FAQ
The application process is designed to provide the Platforms Fund with the most complete picture possible of the goal, scope, and viability of each project and we encourage open and honest communication between applicants and the Fund.
Who selects the grant recipients?
A committee of five jurors is selected annually. The committee is made up of four representatives from the local arts community who are nominated by Antenna, Ashé Cultural Arts Center, Junebug Productions and The Black School, and one national panelist who has previously participated in the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts re-granting process. Committee members are not: employees, board members or artist members of any of the partnering organizations. The committee will evaluate each application based on a set rubrics.
How many grants will be awarded?
We will award a total of up to $60,000 in grants of up to $10,000 each. The Platforms Fund will reserve $10,000 grants for particularly ambitious projects developed by established artists or collectives, and will continue to provide research-and-development grants in the amount of $1,500 to support projects in their earliest stages. Research-and-development grantees will be eligible to apply for up to $10,000 in the next grant cycle to help actualize their projects.
At what point in the creation of my project should I seek Platforms Fund money?
We prefer that you seek funding after you have a strong concept, timeline, and list of people or organizations you might be working with. We are looking for solid, feasible projects: You should try to prove to us in your application that your project can actually happen. The more you have planned before you apply, the better. We can accept projects that have already begun. Similarly, we can accept projects that will commence within a year of the grant deadline. We cannot, however, accept already finished projects that are seeking reimbursement. If you are unable to complete your project within one year, we expect you to be in communication with us and propose a revised timeline.
What does it mean to be a lead organizer?
Lead organizers take responsibility for reporting and implementation of a project. They will serve as the primary point of contact for Platforms Staff, as well as be responsible for communicating project status and changes throughout the granting period. Platforms fund grant checks are generally made out to the lead organizer, however they can be divided among up to five collaborators.
Can I submit multiple projects for Platforms Fund grants?
You can only submit one application per grant cycle.
When is the application due?
Applications for the 2023–24 funding cycle are due on August 15 2023, before 11:59 pm. We encourage you to submit your application early, as we will only be available to answer questions until 5 pm the day the application is due.
Is there an application fee?
No, there is not an application fee to apply for the Platforms Fund.
How do I receive Platforms Fund money if I am selected?
A check can be made out to the lead applicant or a fiscal sponsor. Applicants can request that the check be split with up to four collaborators. Anyone who receives funds will be personally responsible for applicable taxes associated with the award. They will be required to fill out a contract and a Form W-9 and will be issued a 1099 to be filed with their annual tax return. Checks cannot be made out to for-profit businesses, and can only be made out to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations if the organization is serving as a fiscal sponsor for an individual within the context of the project.
Can I pay artist fees or stipends with grant funds?
Yes, we expect you to pay the people involved in your project, including yourself, for their contributions.
Can I purchase equipment with grant funds?
Yes, so long as the equipment is necessary for the development of your project.
What are the reporting requirements for the grant?
We will request one final report for your project 10 months after the award has been made. Reports will require a status update on the project, a reflection on challenges and successes, public information to be shared about the project, and images. These requirements are applicable for both Project Implementation and Research and Development grants. The first disbursement of Platforms checks will be for 75% of the award, and the remaining 25% of the award amount will be retained until a final report is submitted.
We are looking to support art that is driven by independent artistic initiatives or that encourages experimentation with alternative organizational structures. For this reason, funds will not be able to support 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations or for-profit businesses.
My project will eventually make money, through ticket sales for example, does that mean I can’t apply for a grant?
You can still apply for a Platforms Fund grant if your project will make money. Particularly in the case of performances, we understand that they are costly ventures and that the funds granted by Platforms may not cover all of the artist fees and production costs. In that case you may need to charge attendees a ticket price to recoup costs.
What if I am developing an independent project but I am planning on working with a non-profit? Can I still apply for grant money from the Platforms Fund?
We understand that funding for your project can come from a variety of sources and if you have found a non-profit that will be your fiscal sponsor or will be providing you with funds, a venue, or some other form of support you can still apply for Platforms Fund grants. The distinction is that the project must be developed independently of the non-profit, separate from it, and not as a regularly scheduled program. If you are confused about this distinction, contact us and we can discuss your individual project.
We encourage prospective Platforms Fund grantees to actively engage with the public. Public engagement can take many forms, and we encourage applicants to look at past grantees to see the breadth of communities served and types of engagement.
I would like to apply for a grant to fund a public exhibition of my artwork. The community will be engaged because they will see my work in a public space. Can I receive Platforms Fund money?
Typically not, particularly if you are the only person credited with creating the work. We are looking for public engagement that goes beyond passive viewing of finished projects. With that said, there will certainly be exceptions, where artists are taking an innovative or thought-provoking approach to the exhibition platform.
We will provide grants in the Greater New Orleans region (Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, St. John the Baptist, St. Charles, St. James, and St. Tammany Parishes or within a 50-mile radius of New Orleans in Louisiana). Therefore, the lead applicant for each grant must live and work in this area.
I am a foreign national who lives in the New Orleans area but I am not a United States citizen. Can I apply for a grant?
Yes, you can apply, so long as you consider your home to be within our funding region and have lived here for 3 years.
What if my project involves people living in other states or abroad?
You can collaborate with people from other regions but the lead organizer must live in and your project must take place within the funding region.
The work we are looking to fund should come from independent and experienced artists. Students, therefore, cannot apply as the main recipient of Platforms Fund grants because their work can be heavily influenced by the institution of which they are a part.
Does this mean if I went to art school I can’t apply for a grant?
No, all this means is that you cannot currently be in school. We welcome the work of art school alumni; we just ask that they have graduated and are pursuing independent avenues of creativity.
My project involves working with students K-12 in a classroom setting. Can I still apply?
Absolutely, we welcome collaboration with K-12 students. However, lead organizers of such a project should not be students and/or the school itself.
What if I am a student when I apply but will have graduated by the beginning of the award cycle? Can I apply?
Yes, you can apply, so long as you will not be in school (that includes graduate level schooling as well) during the award cycle.
What if I am an independent artist that would like to collaborate with college students? Is that OK?
Yes, you can collaborate with college students and have them as a part of your project, but lead organizers cannot be in college or graduate school at the time of application.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out at info@antenna.works.