The artist-run, biennial arts festival known as Aurora has opened another round of grants to help Dallas-Fort Worth artists who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color. Last July, Aurora pared down its event and announced it would be offering relief grants for creators who were left without revenue streams amid exhibition closures. The organization wanted to support creative arts professionals who were ineligible for federal loans and grants from foundations.
In June, Aurora sent out those $4,000 individual artist grants. Shortly after, Pittsburgh-based PNC Financial Services allocated $1 billion to help support national and local social justice organizations that were working throughout the country to address systemic racism. The financial services group chose Aurora to support five artists of color with a $4,000 grant. Candidates are judged by a panel of BIPOC professionals in the arts community. Recipients will participate in a business wellness program to develop and strength entrepreneurial skills. The deadline for applicants to apply is March 15.
In order to be eligible for this grant, the artist must:
• identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color
• be a working visual artist with a sustained practice based in North Texas
• be able to produce proof of residence in one of the following counties: Dallas, Tarrant, Rockwall, Collin or Denton
• be at least 21 years of age
• be experiencing dire financial distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• have a resume or CV
• not be a full-time employee, board member, director, officer or immediate family member of anyone involved with the Dallas Foundation or AURORA
• not have previously been awarded a relief grant from this fund
All applicants must submit:
• a brief bio
• a resume or CV demonstrating career path
• a statement of need and intent for use of the funds
• up to five images of previous works and/or one to three videos
