Microgrants
Fractured Atlas believes strongly in the importance of an artist's or arts organization's ability to raise funds to support their work (check out our Fiscal Sponsorship program!). There are many grant programs in the U.S. that fund specific projects and work of artists and organizations. But we think it's also important to support continued training and development so that you can expand your creative and organizational capacity.
These grants are designed to target and support your process, not your product. The goal is to encourage long-term, strategic development of your artistic and/or business skills. We're looking for an entrepreneurial spirit!
We understand this may be the first grant you have ever applied to. Even if it isn't, we want this to be a learning experience for you. You should treat this application as formally as you would any other grant application (i.e., don't use casual language and be sure to check for typos!) And don't be discouraged if you're not funded... A Fractured Atlas staff member will be more than happy to review your application and provide e-mailed feedback should you be denied funding.
Examples of items that might be funded include expenses related to:
- Workshops, master classes, residencies, etc. to help improve your creative skills
- Conferences, conventions, organizational memberships, etc. to help improve your business acumen and/or creative skills
- Hiring of consultants/staff to assist with marketing, technology, strategic planning, etc.
- Equipment/Software purchases to help expand your technological capacity
Examples of items that are NOT funded include expenses related to:
- Artistic projects (productions, performances, exhibitions, screenings, etc.)
- Creation of artistic work (rehearsals, fabrication, filming, etc.)
- Non-profit/501(c)(3) filing fees
- Real estate rental/purchase
- Hiring of consultants/staff for assistance with fundraising/development
- Fundraising benefits/galas
- Mailings to your patrons
Funding Capacity
Fractured Atlas microgrants range in size from $250 - $1000. All funds are provided by Fractured Atlas directly. Currently, we receive 50-100 applications per round and we fund 2-4 applicants. The grant program is extremely competitive.
Application Review/Selection
All grant applications are considered by a three-to-four-person review panel consisting of Fractured Atlas Board members as well as peers from the arts community. The panel makes recommendations to the full Board, and those recommendations are discussed and finalized at Board meetings.
Eligibility
- You must be a member of Fractured Atlas to apply. If you're not, you can join here.
- You must have a valid U.S. taxpayer ID – either a Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN). One is necessary if you are awarded the grant, as we may need to issue a 1099-Misc tax form.
- Both individual artists and arts organizations (from small to large) are eligible to apply.
- You do not need to be fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas or any other organization to apply.
- Both for-profit/commercial and non-profit artists and arts organizations are eligible to apply.
- There is a $10 non-refundable application fee for all applicants. This must be paid with a credit or debit card prior to submitting your application.
Deadlines/Timelines
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. There are two deadlines each year: June 30th and December 31st. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59PM Eastern Time on those days to be eligible for that round of funding. All applicants will be informed of our grant committee's decision about 6 weeks after the deadline.
Important Applicant Information
- Applicants may only apply for items that occur after the deadline they are submitting to (therefore, after January 1st or July 1st, depending). We do not fund retroactively (i.e., we do not fund past expenses).
- We only accept applications submitted though our online grants form. We do not accept mailed, e-mailed, or faxed applications.
- We do not accept mailed, e-mailed, or faxed support materials/work samples sent in relation to your application. Our application provides the option of uploading a single digital file as a supplement.
- Applicants may only apply for expenses related to one specific item (e.g., fees related to a residency), not multiple items (e.g., fees related to a residency and an equipment purchase).
- Applicants may only submit one application per round.
- Applicants may only apply once for a specific item. If you are accepted or denied a grant, you cannot reapply in a later round for the same item.
- We encourage applicants to read this blog post about the dos and don'ts of grant applications, written by a Fractured Atlas grants committee member.
Recent Grants Awarded
- Travel expenses related to advanced study/training of flamenco dancing in Spain
- Travel expenses related to a residency with the Association of Icelandic Visual Artists
- Audio equipment purchase for a multidisciplinary arts organization’s permanent space in Buffalo, NY
- Tuition and expenses related to attendance at the Theater Ontario summer program
- Travel expenses related to attendance at the Deep Wireless conference in Toronto
- Sensor interface hardware purchase for a dance company in Philadelphia, PA
- Tuition and expenses related to attendance at DanceWEB Europe in Austria
- Travel expenses related to study at the Williams Research Center in New Orleans, LA
- Audio equipment purchase for a music ensemble’s permanent rehearsal space in New Jersey
- Tuition related to a class at Urban Glass in Brooklyn, NY
Questions?
Contact us if you have any questions about our grant program, including questions about eligibility and our grant application. Although we cannot review your application before it is submitted, Fractured Atlas staff members can always answer questions and offer advice/guidance whenever appropriate.
How to Apply
Ready to apply? Click here to access the application.
