The Union for Contemporary Art

2023 Populus Fund Application - ASL Translation

ABOUT POPULUS FUND

Populus Fund is a regranting initiative organized by The Union, through the generous support of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts in order to support innovative artist projects throughout Omaha–Lincoln metros. Populus Fund was founded in 2020 to provide essential support for artists through emergency funds. In 2023, as was the case last year, we will fund projects that are catalytic, address community needs, and exemplify new ways of working in, for, and with the public.

In 2023, Populus Fund will award a total of six $10,000 projects proposed by artists or artist groups working outside established institutions.

PROJECT CRITERIA  

Populus Fund seeks to fund artist-organized projects that offer opportunities for artists to use their skills to provide experiences, content, materials, activities, platforms, etc that engage and connect with the community through art. 

Populus Fund grant recipients will receive funding for projects that promote collaboration with the public and are radically accessible. Funds can be used for the research, development or creation of public-facing new work, a project or performance. Public engagement can occur via process, presentation, production, or publication. This may include exhibitions, performances, events, lectures, workshops, screenings, readings, publications, residencies, programming at artist-run-spaces, online projects, etc. Projects can not be presented at art museums or commercial galleries.  

Projects that support inclusion, diversity, equity, and access are strongly encouraged. Understanding the long-reaching effects of systemic racism and injustice, The Union will continue to prioritize BIPOC applicants during this round of funding.We will maintain our goal of granting at least 55% of our funds to BIPOC artists. However, race and ethnicity demographic questions will be optional in the application process. Projects that engage the public must incorporate COVID-19 safety protocols that prioritize the health and safety of participants and community. 

To be eligible, artists must be able to say “yes” to ALL of the following:

• I live within an 80 mile radius of the Omaha metro;
• I am 18 or older;
• I can provide a W9 and Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) once selected to receive an award;
• I am not a staff, board, or immediate family member of The Union for Contemporary Art
• I am not applying on behalf of a 501(c)3 or LLC created for commercial enterprise

Ineligible to apply:

• 2022 Populus Fund Project Grant Awardees
• 501c3 organizations and LLCs established for commercial enterprise 
• Applicant is a staff, board, or immediate family member of The Union for Contemporary Art

TIMELINE

• March 1, 2023 – Applications open
• March 8, 2023 – Recorded info session + Q+A
• March 20-25, 2023 – 1:1 application feedback sessions w/ Union staff
• April 10-15, 2023 – 1:1 application feedback sessions w/ Union staff
• April 30, 2023, 11:59pm – Applications close
• June 12-16, 2023 – Awardee notification
• July, 2023 – July, 2024 – Begin project support and implementation

SELECTION CRITERIA
Union staff will remain neutral in the selection process. We will have a short vetting process to ensure our selected awardees meet our eligibility criteria. Awarded projects will be selected by a jury composed of the following:

• an artist, arts professional, or community organizer from out of state, 
• an arts professional engaged with another Regional Regranting program,
• two artists, arts professionals, or community organizers working within the 80-mile radius of The Union, 
• a previous grantee 

QUESTIONS + ACCESSIBILITY
Curious about something that is not answered above or on the FAQ page? Drop us a question at populusfund@u-ca.org.

Please reach out to The Union team if you have any questions about eligibility or would like assistance reading or filling out your application at populusfund@u-ca.org.