Apply to the 2024 Rubys Artist Grants
The 2024 Rubys Artist Grant applications open Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 12:00pm.
The award invites artists in all four categories, Literary Arts, Media Arts, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts, to apply, and projects will be reviewed by experts in each discipline. The new Alumni Grant can also be found via the same link below. Outstanding projects will move on to round two, where applicants will be asked to outline their full project narrative, budget, and public components.
Find the application HERE
Deadline for submission is March 28, 2024 at 11:59pm.
Please review the Grant Guidelines and FAQ before applying.
The approximate grant review timeline can be found HERE
SIGN UP FOR AN INFORMATIONAL SESSION ON THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE 2024 GRANT CYCLE
Round 2 Resources:
Example Budget | Example Timeline | Example Work Inventory | Round 2 Application Questions
FAQ
Is the grant request amount still a maximum of $15,000?
Yes, the grant request maximum remains $15,000. That money may be used to support any part of your creative project, as described in the eligible expenses section of the grant guidelines. Moreover, eligible expenses have been expanded to allow a line item for personal overhead. Personal overhead can be used for any sort of basic living expense: rent, mortgage, childcare, utilities, groceries, etc. These expenses do not need to be detailed to the penny in your budget; simply provide us with an amount that is supportive for you to offset some of your expenses during the course of your Rubys project. We understand that art is not made in a vacuum, and in order to support art-making it is also important to support the artist.
Is personal overhead the same at an artist’s fee?
No, these are two separate eligible expenses. The artist’s fee is meant to be your fee / profit / compensation for making one’s art. Personal overhead is meant to assist with expenses related to basic living. In your budget, it is allowed (and encouraged) to include both line items. There is no formula or percentage associated with either of these amounts – we ask that your budget is fair and proportional given the project you are proposing. Don’t hesitate to include notes on your budget page and in your project description to provide context for how you assembled your budget.
Is it possible to submit applications to more than one artistic category per grant cycle?
No, the Rubys allows for only one application per lead artist across all categories. If you are listed as a “work for hire” collaborator/contractor in another lead artist’s application, that is permissible. (For example, another artist would like to hire you as a photographer to document an event.)
What is the grant timeline?
Approximately July through June
Where can I find examples of a budget, timeline, and work sample inventory list?
Examples can be found above under “Round 2 Resources.”
Where can I find specific guidelines for what kinds of work samples will be accepted?
Information and details about the kinds of work samples that will be accepted in the Rubys application can be found on the bottom of Page 4 and top of Page 5 of the 2024 Grant Guidelines - available 2/27/2024.
Is there a public component requirement for the 2024 application?
Yes, the public component, which was waived in 2020 and 2021, is once again required. The Rubys Artist Grants requires that project proposals included a public component to occur at some point during the grant period.
Will I have a stronger application if my project (a) includes an art education component (b) is related to social justice or (c) is directly connected to Baltimore?
No. If any of these items are inherent and authentic to your art practice – great! However, the Rubys supports artistic projects of any content, background, or theme. Being authentic to your art practice makes for the strongest application.
That said, it can be a benefit to include a sentence or two to define your place as an artist in the region. We have found that strong applications are those that talk about what role will their project have in the greater community (or in your artistic field).
Will the program director read my application draft prior to submitting?
No. However, you are welcome to phone or email the program director to discuss your ideas and questions during the application period. Then, after all applicants are notified, you may set up a feedback appointment with the grants manager to discuss your application.
Where can I find who has received a grant in past?
Go to PAST GRANTEES to research who has received a grant in past years. Also listed are the names of previous jury panels. Go to CURRENT GRANTEES to see a list of the artists that were awarded in 2020.
How does the review process work?
Review of all applications happens in three phases.
Phase one: The jury panel reviews and individually scores all applications from round 1.
Phase two: The top 30% scoring applications from phase one move on to phase two, and will be invited to submit the full application with budget, timeline, public components and work samples.
Phase three: The jury panel will discuss the top eight projects per category when they meet in person as a group to make final selections.
Note that the jury is required only to review what is presented in your application. Don’t assume that they will click through to external websites or links. Focus on presenting your best self within the parameters of the application materials.
On what criteria is the jury panel basing their scores
Projects are to be assessed on:
Creative vision and artistic integrity
Artistic capacity and feasibility of the project, including likelihood that the project can be realized, based on the project budget and the proposed timeline.
Artistic merit of the work represented in the work samples.
To a lesser degree, other factors that influence a jury’s score include:
A project that is stretching the applicant in artistic process, subject matter, or approach
A project that is early in its lifespan and/or has significant creative work left to be done.
A project that does not appear to be an unchanged continuation of the artist’s current practice
The artist’s understanding of their place in the local art community, and/or understanding of how their project will relevant to the local art community.
When will I know if I got a grant?
All applicants will be notified of their status by end of June 2023.
What if I have a question not answered here?
Please attend a grant workshop, which goes over all application details and where you can talk to the program director in person. Workshops are free and open to all.
You may also email your question to the program director at rubys@rwdfoundation.org.