Deadline: April 30, 2006

Given the lack of funding for cutting edge art and artists, art production is often geared towards what sells and not what provokes thought. The Grants for Public Art Projects intend to challenge the current market dominated system of art production and to move art out of the market and into the 'public realm.'

For the most part, people who go to galleries or museums or even alternative spaces are people who are 'in the know' in the art and academic worlds. The Gunk Foundation is interested in supporting projects that make it out of the museum, gallery, and alternative spaces and into the spaces of daily life. For example, work that is shown in the spaces of public transportation, city streets, or work places and is seen by people 'outside' of the art and academic worlds. We are also interested in work that catches one by surprise—the audience may not plan to be an audience (like planning to go see a performance) but is one inadvertently (the performance happens on the street on their way to work). We are looking for non-traditional, thought-provoking public work that is site specific: i.e the context in which it is seen is essential to its meaning. It is our belief that work that is site specific and that cuts into the space of everyday life will have the most profound effect on politicizing the public realm.

The average grant is $1,000; the maximum $5,000.

Types of Projects Funded:

Grants are provided for 'works' of art (not, for example, art festivals, group exhibitions or general operating support for public art organizations). Because of our limited funds and the need to stay focused, the committee has decided not to fund art education, art therapy, mural projects, community gardens, restoration projects, architectural design projects, traditional commemorative sculpture / painting, traditional theater projects or documentary film. In addition, it has also decided not to fund video, film, or music unless it has been specifically earmarked for a non-traditional public space (i.e. not public TV or radio). If you have questions concerning whether your project fits into our guidelines, please call or e-mail contact us to discuss your project.

Who Can Apply:

Any one can apply - individuals, groups, or organizations — and there is no need for a fiscal sponsor. International projects and artists are encouraged.

Selection Criteria:

Merit of Work:

The most important criteria for the selection of projects is the merit of the work proposed.

A) Does the work satisfy the Foundation's definition of 'Public' art? i.e. is the project site outside of the gallery, museum, alternative spaces, and sculpture gardens and in the space of daily life? Does the audience have to know about the piece, or can they stumble upon it during their daily activities? Is the content / meaning of the piece accessible to a public audience (i.e. Is the meaning too vague? Will people who aren't 'in the arts' get it)?

B) Is the work primarily aesthetic or does it also broach historical, social, environmental, political and / or cultural issues? Projects that receive grants must use aesthetic communication to encourage people to think about the space that they are traveling through on a critical level. In general, the committee is looking for non-traditional public art pieces...

C) Is the work relevant to the cultural/social situation in which it is seen? Does the site of the work enhance its meaning?

D) Does the project reach a diverse audience? Is the audience a non-traditional art audience?

Competence of Project Participants:

The Grant Committee is interested in seeking out unestablished artists as well as established artists but the participants need to show competence in their field of expertise.

A) Have the participants tackled a project of the same scope as the one they are proposing?

B) Does their previous work indicate artistic and intellectual competence?

Practical Issues

A) Is the project financially feasible?

B) Is there an adequate and reliable source of funds?

C) Is the time-line realistic?

D) Has the necessity and feasibility of obtaining permission to display the work at the desired site been evaluated?

E) A grantee can apply for a second grant one year from receiving their grant.

How to Apply:

- Resume(s) of the project participant(s)

- Example of previous work done—preferably one slide sheet or 1-2 videos. CD-Roms or DVDs are acceptable, though it is helpful to have some form of hard copy of images (color xerox, prints or slides.) No original work please!

- One or two page summary of the proposed project. This should be separate from the application form, and should be an elaboration upon the questions asked in the form, or should include any other relevant material not covered by the form.

- Budget and time line (predicted costs, source of other funds if needed, and when the project will be presented. This does not need to be excessively detailed, it just needs to give us a general idea). Artists fees and travel expenses can bee included. The foundation does not tend to cover documentation expenses.

Submit to:

Important: The Foundation assumes no responsibility for submitted materials. If return of materials is desired, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

About: The Gunk Foundation is a charitable operating foundation that was established in December 1994 to provide a counterbalance to the recent, disturbing trends in funding for intellectual endeavors. The intellectual core in many countries has suffered a variety of setbacks over the last decade—massive cutbacks in governmental support for non-military, non-corporate projects; a conservative backlash that has effectively censored many forms of communication; the spreading grip of corporate funding for all forms of intellectual production; and the economic, social and ideological shifts created by the forces of globalization. It is our hope that The Gunk Foundation will help to challenge some of these trends.

Back 01.03.2006.