Charlene Victor & Ella J. Weiss Cultural Entrepreneur Fund Grant

The Charlene Victor & Ella J. Weiss Cultural Entrepreneur Fund, supported by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, empowers Brooklyn's emerging women artists and arts administrators through professional development. This annual grant awards $2,500 to individuals, fostering sustainable careers by merging creativity with entrepreneurial skills. Founded by Charlene Victor and led by Ella J. Weiss, the fund honors their commitment to equity in the arts, benefiting a diverse range of cultural contributors in Brooklyn.

The Charlene Victor & Ella J. Weiss Cultural Entrepreneur Fund, made possible by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), is designed to support the professional development of Brooklyn's emerging and mid-career women artists and arts administrators. This annual grant will provide awardees with the necessary support to leverage their creative passions with the entrepreneurial skills necessary to maintain sustainable creative careers. Every year, individuals receive an award of $2,500 each.
Charlene Victor founded Brooklyn Arts Council in 1966. Victor created a platform to support individual artists in Brooklyn through vibrant arts programming and services. She expanded the mission of the organization to provide grants to artists in 1980 and was dedicated to creating equity in access to arts experiences for Brooklyn residents.
Ella J. Weiss served as Brooklyn Arts Council's President from 1999–2015. In that time, Weiss expanded programs and brought stability and leadership to the organization, forging the foundations for our prominent force in the cultural scene. Under her leadership, Brooklyn Arts Council enhanced its partnerships with the borough and with city and state agencies, and introduced innovative new professional services for artists and cultural groups.
In 2025, $25,000 in funding was provided to 11 artists.