RUX announces Artists Respond: Community, Culture, and Commonality in the Commonwealth grant opportunity

Artists Respond promo image - accessible informational available o

For 10 years, the Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX) has brought Kentuckians together to learn about Kentucky’s diverse people and places, and gain the skills needed to meaningfully work together. Together, Kentuckians from 65 counties have proven that when we meet on even footing and share meaningful experiences, we can not only overcome their bias, but build meaningful, durable relationships across geographic, racial, and economic differences. 

This week, RUX was featured in The New York Times for its commitment to this collaborative work bridging difference & distance across our Commonwealth. The article highlights some of the projects and people who make the RUX network so special. We are honored that this article has been promoted by so many - including by President Barack Obama, who acknowledges the importance of working together & bridging divides as we have in Kentucky.

RUX has shown that arts create the conditions to open minds, listen, and overcome bias. Today, we are excited to launch a new opportunity to support artists to do this work in their own communities, in partnership with the Creative Change Coalition, a new national coalition (led by Springboard for the Arts) of place-based organizations that center people, creativity, and equity working together to create a stronger ecosystem for communities and artists. 

Community, Culture, and Commonality in the Commonwealth will offer grants for up to ten artists and/or teams to develop creative work that addresses rural-urban connection, interdependence, or solidarity in Kentucky. We aim for this work to uplift the power of arts and culture to address problems and combat a national narrative that too often centers on division and divide, especially in election years.

Applications open on June 24, and will close on July 22. To learn more about this opportunity and to apply, visit the application at tinyurl.com/ArtistsRespond2024.

An informational webinar was held on Tuesday, July 2nd. You can watch the recording here.

APPLICANT GUIDELINES 

The primary applicant must be a Kentucky artist or culture worker. Alumni and members of the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX) are given priority consideration. 

  • Projects must take place in Kentucky and must be led by Kentuckians. 

  • We encourage applicants to leverage this seed funding to entice partnerships and/or matching funds, but do not require a cash match.

  • Primary and secondary applicants will be required to complete an evaluation and develop a creative product (photo essay, blog post, video, podcast, etc. by December 1, 2024.) 

  • Grantees must participate in up to three virtual meetings with a multi-state artist network. 

  • Grantees must develop a short blog post, photo essay, video, or podcast that tells the story of your project, and complete a short final report.


GRANT TIMELINE 

June 24 Application available  
July 2 Info & Support Webinar [Registration link]
July 22 Application Deadline
Aug. 16 Award disbursement and Kickoff event
Dec. 31 Project + evaluation complete

You can help us make RUX and opportunities like this accessible to more Kentuckians by supporting RUX today. Visit us at kyrux.org/donate to learn more and give. Thank you for your commitment to Kentucky’s shared future!

KYRUX