$10,000 Awards Available for Central Arkansas and Arkansas Delta Artists
By Elizabeth Snell
Catalyze Grant Opens for 25 Artists, Funded by the Windgate Foundation
Artists in Central Arkansas and the Arkansas Delta now have the chance to receive $10,000 fellowships to support their creative work through Catalyze, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance. This year, the program expands its reach, offering opportunities to artists across 31 counties, up from 16 in previous cycles. The additional counties now include 15 from the Arkansas Delta region.
Catalyze, funded by the Windgate Foundation, is designed to combine financial support with professional development and coaching, helping artists grow their practices and ignite their careers. These practice-based grants are unrestricted and can be used for any purpose that supports the continued development of their creative practice including, but not limited to, equipment, travel, studio space, and child care.
Who Can Apply?
Artists of all creative disciplines living in the Arkansas counties of Arkansas, Chicot, Clay, Cleburne, Conway, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Desha, Drew, Faulkner, Garland, Grant, Greene, Hot Spring, Jefferson, Lee, Lonoke, Mississippi, Monroe, Perry, Phillips, Poinsett, Pope, Prairie, Pulaski, Saline, St. Francis, Van Buren, White, and Yell will be eligible to apply for this program.
Applications for the third cohort are due at 5:00 p.m., February 18, 2025.
For grant information, additional eligibility requirements, and the online application, please visit maaa.org/catalyze.
Selection Process
Through the application process, 25 artists will be selected on the basis of their artistry, intended use and impact of the funding in their practice, and the creation of a balanced peer cohort. Artists must demonstrate a desire to participate in a multidisciplinary peer-based learning cohort and commit to attending a professional development convening the weekend of June 21–22, 2025, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Private lodging is included for all recipients.
Application Help
M-AAA staff will be available to answer questions and provide application support from December 10, 2024, through February 18, 2025. Contact information for staff may be found in the application resources.
Applicants may also attend the following free virtual “How to Apply Yourself” application workshop to learn more about Catalyze and the application process. Advance registration required.
Thursday, January 16, 2025 – VIRTUAL on Zoom, 12:00–1:00 p.m. CST
Register now
About Catalyze
Catalyze is made possible through a grant from the Windgate Foundation, Little Rock, Arkansas. Since 2009, M-AAA has offered cohort-based professional development opportunities to more than 450 artists in central Arkansas through its Artist INC Live and Artist INC Express programs through support from the Windgate Foundation. Interested in bringing the Catalyze program to your community? Contact artistservices@maaa.org for more information.
About the Windgate Foundation
The Windgate Foundation was established in 1993 and is a private, family foundation based in Little Rock, Arkansas. Windgate’s goal is to advance contemporary craft and strengthen visual arts education in the United States. The foundation also supports children and youth in the State of Arkansas. Additional information can be found at www.windgatefoundation.org.