ArtPlay grants create opportunities for artists working in varying artforms to become involved. Grants allow artists to develop work that is challenging and cutting edge, and that draws children in to experience contemporary and emerging art.
Grants are generally for short term and one-off projects, but these projects can and sometimes do evolve into long-term programs.
Through working with children, artists can develop professionally. They have opportunities to reflect on their work through the eyes of their young audience and through a formal review process at the conclusion of their project.
Children as decision makers
Children play an integral role in shaping ArtPlay’s programs. The ArtPlay Grants Panel, instrumental in developing the ArtPlay program, includes six children and six adults.
Nine year old twins, and ArtPlay grant panel members, Mira and Lucy, have been participating in ArtPlay programs since they were in kindergarten.
We choose the best ideas
When we have a panel meeting, we are given a big folder with everybody’s applications. We discuss them together and look at the support material and then we give them scores. We choose the best ideas. A good project would be both art and play and be fun. It should be open to a wide range of kids, from all age groups and people from all countries.
At ArtPlay it doesn’t matter if you are good at something like drawing. You don’t need to be good at something to enjoy it. It’s about learning, but it’s also about having fun.
Kids like doing new things, like an etching workshop. We never knew we could do that. We also made stop motion animation. It’s a 21st Century artform because we used computers and cameras. The kids made props and costumes. Everybody did something different.
Mira and Lucy (Nine years old)
ArtPlay Grants Panel members
Some past grant recipients: