The Trellis Art Fund has announced its inaugural batch of $100,000 awards, bestowing the honour upon 12 exceptional artists, per artnews.com. The New York-based private foundation’s initiative aims to provide substantial, unrestricted financial support to creators at various stages of their careers.
Among the distinguished recipients are renowned artists Lorraine O’Grady, Candida Alvarez, and American Artist, each recognized for their significant contributions to the art world. The selection process, which began in January, involved nominations from over 75 art world professionals, including curators, historians, and fellow artists. From an initial pool of 157 applicants, an anonymous jury carefully deliberated to choose the final 12 winners.
Corina Larkin, executive director of the Trellis Art Fund, emphasised the importance of unrestricted grants, likening them to funding basic scientific research. “We wanted to relieve our grantees from the financial challenges of being an artist at every stage of life,” Larkin stated, highlighting the fund’s commitment to providing artists with the time, space, and stability necessary for deep engagement with their work.
In a noteworthy aspect of the awards, two grants were specifically allocated to working parents with children under 12 years old, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by artists balancing family responsibilities with their creative pursuits. Recipients Ronny Quevedo and Shizu Saldamando were recognised in this category.
The diverse group of awardees represents a wide range of artistic mediums, including painting, sculpture, video, performance, and social practice. Hailing from various locations across the United States and Puerto Rico, these artists now have the freedom to utilise the funds for both personal and professional needs.
Sculptor Arlene Shechet, speaking on behalf of the anonymous jury, expressed pride in the selection process and enthusiasm for the impact these awards will have on the recipients’ artistic journeys. As the art world celebrates this significant investment in creativity, the Trellis Art Fund’s inaugural awards set a promising precedent for supporting artists and nurturing the future of contemporary art.
