NEW OPPORTUNITY: ILLUMINATIONS GRANT FOR BLACK TRANS WOMEN VISUAL ARTISTS

NYC Gay Parade
Photo by Mariette Pathy Allen

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INTRODUCING THE ILLUMINATIONS GRANT FOR BLACK TRANS WOMEN VISUAL ARTISTS

Monique in her Room, Queens NY

Photo: Mariette Pathy Allen

New $10k Grant To Be Judged by Thelma Golden, Juliana Huxtable, Texas Isaiah, and Kiyan Williams in its First Year

Queer|Art is pleased to introduce The Illuminations Grant for Black Trans Women Visual Artists. Developed and named in partnership with Mariette Pathy Allen, Aaryn Lang, and Serena Jara, this new annual $10,000 grant, awarded to draw attention to an existing body of work, sheds light on the under-recognized contributions of Black trans women visual artists and provides critical support to their continuing work. Winning artists will receive additional professional development resources and further guidance to bolster their creative development in the field. 

The Illuminations Grant is administered through Queer|Art with a rotating panel of judges, each of whom will conduct a studio visit with the winning artist as part of the award’s focus on supporting creative and professional development. Judges for the 2020 grant cycle include Thelma Golden, Juliana Huxtable, Texas Isaiah, and Kiyan Williams. Queer|Art staff will also provide the winning artist with consultations and further access to many of the tools they have developed in conjunction with the organization’s cornerstone creative and professional development program, Queer|Art|Mentorship. 

Applications are open July 8 - August 30, and the grant will be awarded in November 2020.

“The Illuminations Grant not only highlights the lacking representation of Black trans women in the visual arts, but also seeks to confront the systemic barriers that deny them artistic opportunities and a sustainable craft. By supporting this grant, Mariette Pathy Allen challenges herself and the art industry to see Black trans women as more than mere subjects, while forging a new pathway for visual artists within this community to thrive.” - Aaryn Lang, Illuminations Grant Co-Creator

The Illuminations Grant is awarded to draw attention to an existing body of work. Qualified artists must be self-identified Black trans women and trans femmes working in visual art and based in the United States. Applications are open June 29, 2020-August 30, 2020 and the grant will be awarded November 2020. 

For questions, email Illuminations Grant Manager ray ferreira at rferreira@queer-art.org.