ATLANTA —October 28, 2020 — Atlanta Contemporary proudly announces our inclusion in The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts expansion of its Regional Regranting Program. By establishing the Nexus Fund, Atlanta Contemporary will give direct and necessary support to visual arts projects being done by Metro Atlanta’s ever-growing community of contemporary arts practitioners.

The Nexus Fund: Emergency Relief, in this first year, will give $1,000 to support 60 self-identifying visual artists. In order to ensure that artists of every ethnicity, race, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability status, and socioeconomic class have access to this fund, Atlanta Contemporary will work with new and established partners to reach communities that have been historically underrepresented.

Applicants are not required to use funds for a project rather, the unrestricted $1,000 may be used to cover costs associated with living during these unprecedented times. Due to the overwhelming need for financial support, we ask that applicants self-monitor as the Nexus Fund will not be able to support everyone who applies. Applications open November 1, 2020 with funds disbursed December 16, 2020. The blind application process will be led and managed by Program Coordinator, Nisa Floyd and supported in part by Emma Blessing, Visitor Services Associate.

No final reporting will be necessary. An artist funded by the Nexus Fund may be asked for a testimonial statement though the list will not be shared publicly.

About the Nexus Fund

Founded by artists for artists, Atlanta Contemporary was built upon the principles of engaging in experimentation and risk-taking through exhibitions, programming, and support of working artists. The Nexus Fund expands upon the ethos of these early days. By supporting new work or through the expansion of an existing project, the Nexus Fund sponsors dynamic and innovative individual artists or partnerships.

FAQ | Nexus Fund :: Emergency Relief for Artists

Who is eligible?

• Self-identified visual artists 21 years of age and older living within the 9-counties designated as: Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dekalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, and Henry
• Artists who declare that they experienced a loss of income due to COVID-19 including but not limited to postponement or cancellation of exhibitions, performances, public programs, and teaching gigs
• Artists who demonstrate a sustained commitment to their work and career

Who is not eligible?

• Any artist who has received or who will receive an honorarium for an exhibition at Atlanta Contemporary (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021)
• Any artist who currently participates in or who recently departed the Studio Artist Program (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021)

Timeline

• November 1: Application Open
• November 1 – November 22: Applications accepted
• November 23 – December 13: Grantees determined
• December 14: Grantees notified
• December 16: Funds disbursed

Application requirements:

• Selection of reason for need with brief, 150-word declaration statement describing circumstances and hardship
• 3 images of current artistic practice with brief, 150-word artistic statement
• Proof of residency in designated county

How much funding is available and what is the most I can request?

The Nexus Fund will disperse sixty, $1,000 grants totaling $60,000.

What can I use the funds for?

Rent/mortgage, utilities, groceries, childcare, medical bills/insurance, lost wages/fees, and other daily needs.

I am not primarily paid for my artistic work but have lost income due to loss of employment or contract work. Am I still eligible to apply?

Yes, any lost income is reason to apply.

If I am selected, how soon will I receive the funding?

Following the grantee notification on December 14, all grantees will be welcome to pick up their check beginning December 16.

If I receive funds and the Nexus Fund: Emergency Relief re-opens for additional applications at a future date, may I apply again?

No. Due to the overwhelming need, The Nexus Fund: Emergency Relief will be able to support artists once. We encourage you to seek out additional support through other active funds.

About the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts

In accordance with Andy Warhol’s will, the mission of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts is the advancement of the visual arts. The foundation manages an innovative and flexible grants program while also preserving Warhol’s legacy through creative and responsible licensing policies and extensive scholarly research for ongoing catalogue raisonné projects. To date, the foundation has given over $200 million in cash grants to over 1,000 arts organizations in 49 states and abroad and has donated 52,786 works of art to 322 institutions worldwide. More information about the foundation is available at warholfoundation.org.

About Atlanta Contemporary

Founded in 1973 as Nexus, a grassroots artists’ cooperative, Atlanta Contemporary has since become one of the southeast’s leading contemporary art centers. We play a vital role in Atlanta’s cultural landscape by presenting over 200 consequential artists and creatives from the local, national, and international art scenes through our various exhibition, project spaces, and programs each year. We commission new works, paying particular attention to artists who have not had a significant exhibition in the Southeast. We organize over 125 programs annually including Contemporary Kids, Contemporary Cocktails, Contemporary Talks, and more! Atlanta Contemporary provides 13 on-site subsidized studio space to working artists through the Studio Artist Program.