Charlotte needs artists with new ideas and messages that spark essential conversations.
It is no secret that art needs financial support to move forward.
Most importantly, artists should be acknowledged, celebrated and supported.
The PUSH Fund is here to help.
guidelines
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The Push Fund provides resources for professional development and artist development for emerging and established artists to enhance their skills and abilities to create work or to improve their business operations and capacity to bring their work to new audiences.
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The Collaboration Corp. is accepting applications from creatives living in Mecklenburg County.
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Artists representing music, visual, craft, performing, traditional, and interdisciplinary art forms are encouraged to apply.
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Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to spending a significant portion of their time on their artistic work. The The Push Fund will support projects occurring between October 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025 but all funds should be expended by July 30, 2025. Artists will be rewarded $1,500. Applications selected for funding will receive the full award for which they are eligible.
eligibility
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Individuals and Artist Collectives — Both individual artists and small, unincorporated groups of collaborating artists are eligible to apply.
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Residency — Artists should have lived continuously in Mecklenburg County for at least one year before August 1, 2024. An applicant must be at least 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien. All members of a collaborating team must be North Carolina residents, with the main requester living in Mecklenburg County to meet eligibility requirements.
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Conflict of Interest — Current board and staff members of the consortium partner organizations and their family members are not eligible to apply for the award.
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Student Status — The Artist Support Grant is intended for adult, nonstudent artists. Artists enrolled full-time in undergraduate or associate degree-granting programs may not apply for the grant. Artists in certificate programs are generally eligible. Artists pursuing graduate degrees in subjects other than their art form may be eligible if they meet the other eligibility criteria.
eligible project costs
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Completion/Presentation of a New Work — Cost of resources necessary to complete or present a significant new work (e.g., purchasing art supplies or equipment (digital may qualify) or space rental.
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Career Promotion — Projects aimed at advertising artists’ work and/or demonstrating their skill level (e.g., websites, portfolios, audio-visual documentation, and online presentation)
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Training — Costs to attend a class or workshop (in-person or virtual) aimed at either enhancing the artist’s skill level or professional development (e.g., a master class or workshop taught by acknowledged authorities in the applicant artist’s medium)
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Travel — Costs of transportation, lodging, and food for training or professional conferences.
ineligible project costs
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Scholarships for undergraduate- or graduate-level education
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Projects that support or oppose a particular candidate for public office
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Projects that are exclusive to members of a particular religious faith group
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Projects that do not have a direct effect on the applicant’s growth as an artist (e.g., the promotion of other artists’ work)