Rocket Grants 2019-2020 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 exceptional, under-the-radar, artist-driven, and artist-centered projects. These grants receive support from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and are developed and implemented by 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 unexpected places, are visually engaging and involve any media or practices, challenge mainstream methods of thinking or presenting, add energy and diversity to the arts in the region, and encourage the development of new kinds of audiences. Proposed work may address either other regional artists in appropriate venues or the general public through carefully chosen public venues designed to introduce new and surprising experiences. Established arts institutions, venues or districts will be 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. Awarded artists should remain resident for the entire period of their award. Rocket Grants are not available for non-profit 501c3 organizations or for current or recently graduated students. Proposals that bridge geographic or cultural communities are strongly encouraged.

The 2019-20 program will provide $60,000 total in 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 previously selected R&D Award recipients. Supported projects may include visual art, performance, film screenings, video, new media, writing, public programming, social practice and interdisciplinary projects. Performing artists and writers are eligible to apply, but all work should include a compelling visual component. Applicants will be considered for both levels of funding unless they decline consideration for the R&D Award. Work samples must include a minimum of 5 and maximum of 10 images, with up to 3 audio files and 3 video files allowed (total samples between 5-13). Applications close March 11, 2019 at 11:59 PM CST. Selected finalists must present at the Selection Panel meeting in Kansas City on April 17, 2019.