Apply for BANF Artist Awards (United States)

Funding Information

• BANF is investing $1 million in 50 artists in the Greater Houston Area. This round will name 25 individuals of different media and communities whose artistic careers and creative practice have demonstrated transformative service to Greater Houston’s communities of color. As arts leaders, these awardees’ commitment to supporting their communities and learning from each other will serve as a significant investment in Greater Houston’s BIPOC arts ecosystem.
• The BANF Artist Awards will provide a one-time investment of up to $20,000 each to 25 artists who are members of Greater Houston’s Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern and/or other communities of color.
• The award recipients engage in an eighteen-month learning cohort that will build space for dreaming and for action in order to transform their BIPOC arts ecosystem.
• The 2025 Awards will be the second and final round, naming 25 artists who will form a learning community starting in or about January 2025.
• Applicants to Round 1 are encouraged to reapply.

Eligible Funding

• The following is a nonexclusive list of costs that are eligible expenditures for this award:
  • Artist Fees/Salaries
  • Research
  • Paying off organizational debt/financial solvency
  • Equipment and infrastructure
  • Existing or new programming
  • Training and expertise building
  • Rent, mortgage, or downpayments
  • Insurance

Ineligible Funding

• The following is a nonexclusive list of expenses that would not be eligible expenditures for this award:
  • Activities that promote or engage in violence, terrorism, bigotry, or the destruction of any State.
  • Activities that attempt to influence the outcome of any election or legislation, including but not limited to activities in support of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
  • Services to any person/entity on the OFAC sanction list.

Who can apply?

• Self-identify as a member of a BIPOC community
• Have an operating residence and serve in the 9-County Region of Greater Houston for the past 24 months
• Be at least 21 years old

Eligibility Criteria

• Artists who self-identify as a member of Greater Houston’s Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian Pacific Islander and/or other communities of color will receive particular consideration.
• Artists whose creative work has been recognized by local, regional, or national cultural organizations, leaders, artistic professionals, or other community advocates and leaders. Not necessarily recognition only through awards; but also through community impact, and the contribution their art/product has had in the community.
• Artists have demonstrated a history of service and support for and with a community of color in Houston. The artists’ focus is geared towards a thriving community rather than individual gain. Distinctive from collaboration, service to the community highlights the well-being, and growth of its members.
• Artists have demonstrated a history of and commitment to artistic activity/production.
• Artists have demonstrated a commitment to learning, offering expertise, and engaging with others in a productive and active manner.

For more information, visit BANF.