Rocket Grants 2017-2018 Call for Proposals

Rocket Grants provide opportunities for Kansas City area artists to make and share experimental work and ideas in public spaces around the region by providing direct support for fresh, inventive, artist-driven, and artist-centered projects. These grants receive funding from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and are developed and implemented through a partnership between the Charlotte Street Foundation in Kansas City, MO and the Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS.

Rocket Grants fund projects that happen in surprising places, are visually engaging and involve any media or practices, challenge mainstream methods of thinking, making or presenting, add energy and diversity to the arts in the region, and encourage the development of new kinds of audiences. The proposed work may address either other regional artists in appropriate venues or the general public in specific communities through carefully chosen public venues designed to introduce new and surprising experiences. Established arts institutions, venues or districts are excluded in almost every circumstance.

Artists, curators, collectives, collaborative groups, 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 501c3 organizations or for current or recently graduated students. Awarded artists should remain resident for the entire period of their award. The 2017-18 program will provide $60,000 total in grants: Full Project Awards of up to $6,000 each to support creation and presentation of new work with a strong visual component; 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. Supported projects may include visual art, performance, film screenings, video, new media, writing, public programming, social practice and interdisciplinary projects. All work should include a compelling visual component. Applicants may be considered for both levels of funding unless they elect otherwise. Applications close March 27, 2017 at 11:59 PM CST. Finalists will present at the Selection Panel meeting in Kansas City on May 19, 2017. Award recipients will be notified May 23, 2017, with an awards gathering and fund release on June 8, 2017. All projects must be complete by June 8, 2018.