VIA Art Fund

VIA Art Fund supports projects that exemplify its core values of artistic production, thought leadership, and public engagement, VIA–by way of–Art. Partnering directly with artists, curators, and cultural institutions around the world, VIA Art Fund patrons support innovative artistic endeavors in various forms, from the production of new work for exhibition and institutional acquisition, to symposia, educational programs, publications and scholarly journals.

VIA Art Fund is a collective, democratic initiative that connects art patrons with cultural producers. It accepts grant proposals from artists, curators, cultural organizations, and biennials for the production, exhibition, public dissemination, and institutional acquisition of new works of art and ideas, with a particular emphasis on works mounted beyond traditional exhibition environments. It supports artistic projects and initiatives that exemplify its three core values:

1. Artistic Production: VIA Art Fund champions the production of new work – from creation to exhibition, documentation, and dissemination – that reflects artistic excellence and innovation. Whenever possible,
   the Fund aims to support the production of long-term and permanent installations in the public realm. It is also committed to funding new projects that will ultimately enter a U.S. public collection, with its support enabling the presenting institution or another collecting museum to acquire the work following its display.
2. Thought Leadership: VIA Art Fund supports the work of both established and emerging voices in contemporary art that bring new knowledge and dynamic avenues of understanding to the field. The creative output of these thought leaders generates entry points for dialogue and collaboration, and fosters vital intellectual exchange.
3. Public Engagement: VIA Art Fund promotes works that penetrate social, cultural, geographic, and economic barriers to inspire and educate diverse audiences. These projects act as platforms for inquiry and investigation, generating meaningful collective experiences for audiences and cultural producers.

VIA Art Fund awards funding within two grant categories:

• Artistic Production Support: Nonprofit organizations and institutions, as well as individual artists and curators, may apply for production support for new artistic commissions that take place outside the museum or gallery walls, and within the public realm or in nontraditional exhibition environments. These projects must have a confirmed exhibition venue or presenting partner.
• Incubator Support Under VIA Art Fund’s Incubator category, small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations and alternative initiatives that are pivotal in cultivating artistic excellence, addressing the art community’s evolving needs, and creating a more dynamic and inclusive contemporary art ecosystem may apply for unrestricted funding. Proposals considered under this category include experimental curatorial projects and exhibition series; discursive programming and public symposia; research and educational initiatives; innovative digital and new media platforms; publications and scholarly journals; and artist-in-residence programs. The fund will also consider grant requests for seed funding from independent, start-up organizations at the nascent stages of a project or initiative. VIA Art Fund’s Incubator support is dedicated to nurturing experimental organizations and programs that champion diverse voices and new avenues of inquiry in the field of contemporary art.

Amount: Varies by category:

• Artistic Production funding ranges from $25,000-$100,000 per project, with grants at the $50,000 to $100,000 level reserved for permanent or long-term installations, or newly commissioned works that may be gifted to a U.S. public collection through VIA Art Fund’s support.
• Incubator grant amounts will range from $15,000-$20,000 per project.

Eligibility: Artists, nonprofit organizations, cultural institutions, art production platforms, and biennials or festivals working in the field of contemporary art, in the United States and internationally. Note that VIA Art Fund does not fund museum or gallery exhibitions as its support is geared towards high-impact projects in non-traditional exhibition venues and those mounted in the public realm.

Link: http://viaartfund.org/

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