Rocket Grants 2015-2016 Call for Proposals

Rocket Grants support innovative, experimental, artist-driven, and community-engaged projects in the Kansas City region. These grants are designed to fuel a dynamic regional art ecology by providing direct support for projects that happen in surprising places, are visually engaging, challenge mainstream methods of thinking or presenting, and encourage development of new audiences.

Artists, curators, collectives, collaboratives, partnerships, and artist-run spaces residing within an 80-mile radius of the Kansas City metropolitan area are eligible to apply. Rocket Grants are not available for non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations or for current or recently graduated students. Supported projects may include visual art, performance, film screenings, video, new media, writing, programming, social practice, and interdisciplinary projects. All work should include a compelling visual component.

The 2015-16 program will provide $60,000 in total grants, including Full Project Awards of up to $6,000 each to support creation and presentation of new work; Research & Development Awards of $2,000 each to support research and development for ambitious new projects; and Completion Awards of $4,000 for individuals or groups completing previously selected R&D Awards. Applicants will be considered for both levels of funding unless they elect otherwise. The selection panel will determine which level of grant is awarded based on project needs. Artists who progress to the second round must present their proposal to the Selection Panel on Friday, May 8, 2015 in Kansas City. All projects must be complete by June 5, 2016.