Creative Exchange Fund (CXF)

Creative Exchange Fund (CXF)

Status: Active, ongoing annual program

Geographic Scope: Northwest Arkansas (Benton and Washington counties)

Focus Areas: Supporting creative production capabilities and skill sets through subsidizing artist time, access to space, and professional development resources. The program funds five distinct opportunity categories.

Program Components

1. Producers - Supports innovative community-engaged events organized by individuals or organizations. The Medium campus serves as a launchpad for event producers to generate greater social and artistic impact.

2. The Platform - Supports performance-based artists and organizations presenting new work for the stage. The Medium's 371-seat theater provides opportunity to engage large audiences in a theatrical setting.

3. Mixtape Music Series - Free, all-ages, live music series that funds 16 musicians presenting original work. Each monthly Mixtape performance consists of two 45-60 minute acts within the Blackbox, Stage or Main Gallery.

4. The Medium Artist Residencies - Provides practicing 2D and 3D visual artists a creative studio space for six weeks, allowing them to take creative risks, expand artistically, and build relationships with the community.

5. Spectra Series - Invites visual artists, artist collectives, and art facilitators to host a group exhibition in either The Medium's Main Gallery or outdoor campus. Celebrates bold, innovative, and thought-provoking collaborative exhibitions with at least three artists.

Eligibility: All practicing creatives, artists, non-profit organizations, and for-profit creative collectives

Venue: The Medium, 214 S. Main Street, Springdale, AR (25,000-square-foot visual and performing arts space in downtown Springdale)

Past Performance: In its first year (second year announced for 2022), CXF awarded funds to 56 Northwest Arkansas artists and creatives who mounted 80 unique activations.

Funder: Tyson Family Foundation

Contact/More Info: https://themedium.art/cxf/