The New Normal: An Artist's Response to COVID-19

Fine Line Group, the Family office of Sasha and Edward P. Bass, launched a new artist grant initiative to support Fort Worth area artists. This program challenges local visual artists to create works that reflect their experience as members of the Fort Worth area community during the pandemic. Through offering relief grants for a minimum of 30 artists, "The New Normal: An Artist's Response to COVID-19" aims to jumpstart the creative economy by helping Fort Worth artists while galleries, shops, and museums remain closed.

Applicants must submit a written proposal including a personal statement on how this opportunity will help them create, an overview of COVID-19-related work they intend to create, and ideas on how their art can support others in the city. Examples of current work and a statement of need demonstrating loss of income due to COVID-19 are required. The initiative is open to all visual artists working and residing in Fort Worth, with no entry fee. Application cycles run: Cycle 1 (Now–May 11th, awards May 16th), Cycle 2 (May 12th–May 26th, awards May 31st), and Cycle 3 (May 27th–June 20th, awards June 25th). Artists may only apply once but will be considered in all cycles after their initial application.

The jury panel will select artists to award grants of either $2,000 or $5,000. Selected works will be chosen to participate in an exhibition in Fort Worth in Fall 2020 or Spring 2021. Eligibility requires: a practicing artist with sustained commitment to their work, demonstrated financial need due to COVID-19, age 21 or older, current Fort Worth residency and work address, no immediate family/officer/employee relationship to jury panel partners, and no previous relief grants from this fund. All works must be original, completed in response to the proposal, and available for exhibition with one work donated. Mediums include painting, drawing, digital, video, mixed media, photography, illustration, sculpture, and fibers. Submissions are made through CAFÉ with up to three digital images of current work.