Rocket Relief Cycle 4: Emergency Grants for Artists Impacted by Coronavirus

Rocket Relief provides emergency support to individual visual and multidisciplinary artists in the Kansas City regional bi-state area within 80 miles of Kansas City. This grant is intended to help artists whose income has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and who need assistance with basic expenses such as food, housing, medical costs, and child care. Grant amounts are available as flat stipends of $1,000. At launch of Cycle 4, $60,000 in total is available in grants, thanks to support from Spencer Museum of Art and The Andy Warhol Foundation.

Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must be individual visual or multidisciplinary artists (painting, drawing, sculpture, book art, ceramics, fiber, printmaking, digital/media works, film, video, photography, performance art, sound art, social practice, or hybrid/interdisciplinary practices). Primary residence must be within an 80-mile radius of the Kansas City metro area. Artists must be over 21 and not full-time students. Applicants must demonstrate a recently active creative practice record within the past two years by submitting a CV/resume, artist website, or link to a public event. Employees or board members (or immediate family members) of Charlotte Street Foundation, Spencer Museum of Art, and ArtsKC are not eligible. Applicants who have already received a Rocket Relief grant in cycles 1, 2, or 3 are no longer eligible.

Applications are accepted online through the Call for Entry (CAfE) system only. Applicants must provide a short narrative of 300 words or less (or 2-minute video/voice narrative) describing loss of income due to the coronavirus pandemic and any additional circumstances affecting ability to meet basic needs. Up to 5 images, audio clips, or video clips may be uploaded to demonstrate creative practice. A W9 and Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) are required if selected. Selection uses a lottery method weighted to prioritize applications based on financial need. Ten artists per week will be drawn until funds are exhausted. Grantees will not be announced publicly, and information provided is confidential. There is no restriction on usage of funds and no final report required.