Gilda Awards Grant

Gilda Awards Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Kresge Foundation
Amount: US $5,000
Last Updated: December 05, 2025

Summary

The Gilda Awards, named after the late artist Gilda Snowden, offer $5,000 prizes to emerging artists in Detroit. With 25 awards available, they recognize exceptional talent in both Literary and Visual Arts. The awards aim to support artists at pivotal stages of their careers, encouraging creative risk-taking. Applicants are urged to participate in virtual info sessions to strengthen their applications and enhance their chances of success in this competitive program.

Overview

NOTE: While not required, applicants are strongly encouraged to attend our virtual info sessions, which are designed to support artists in creating their most authentic and compelling application.Applicants for Kresge Artist Fellowship will be asked to note if they would like to be considered for a Gilda Award—there is no separate application for this award. The Kresge Foundation The Kresge Foundation is a private, national foundation that works to expand equity and opportunities in America’s cities through grantmaking and social investing in arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services and community development, nationally and in Detroit, Memphis, New Orleans and Fresno. In collaboration with our partners, we help create pathways for people with low incomes to improve their life circumstances and join the economic mainstream. Kresge Arts in Detroit Kresge Arts in Detroit supports artists living and working in metro Detroit. Through no strings attached awards and fellowships, we elevate artists as they advance their careers on their terms. Values Kresge Arts in Detroit believes an equitable and just society ensures individuals of all backgrounds and identities are able to fully thrive. In the visioning, planning, and implementation of the program, we are committed to dismantling the historic and systemic mechanisms of oppression that exist within the arts and culture sector. Utilizing a racial equity lens and anti-oppression approach, we strive to ensure that our work contributes to an environment that, collectively, supports all artists of metro Detroit. Gilda Awards Gilda Awards are 5,000 prizes for emerging artists. The award is named in honor of artist, College for Creative Studies professor, and 2009 Kresge Artist Fellow Gilda Snowden (1954–2014). Categories There will be 25 awards in total: 15 Kresge Artist Fellowships and 10 Gilda Awards. Fellowships and Gilda Awards will be divided between the two categories—Literary Arts and Visual Arts based on the relative number of applications received in each category. Literary ArtsIncludes Arts Criticism, Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Playwriting, Poetry, Spoken Word, Zines, and Interdisciplinary WorkVisual ArtsIncludes Book Art, Ceramics, Collage, Drawing, Fiber, Glass, Installation, Metalwork, New Media, Painting, Photography, Performance Art, Printmaking, Sculpture, Video Art, and Interdisciplinary Work Selection Criteria Gilda Awards recognize artists who: Are early in their careers, andAre gaining momentum, andDemonstrate exceptional potential through creative risk-taking and pushing the boundaries of their chosen art form.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. To apply, you must:Be 18 years or older, andBe a current legal resident of Macomb, Oakland, or Wayne county, andHave resided in Macomb, Oakland, or Wayne county for at least the two years prior to the application deadline, andIntend to remain a resident of the tri-county area throughout the fellowship period.Note: This year, there is no waiting period for previous Kresge Artist Fellows to apply.CollaborationsArtists who have an ongoing, demonstrated history of collaboration may apply together with one collaborative application. Each member of the collaborating group must meet all eligibility requirements.In addition:Applications must include 1 primary applicant and up to 4 additional collaborators, andWork samples must only include work that the collaborating artists created together, andStatements, biographical information, and work samples must convey the shared history, goals, experience, and work of the collaborating group.

Ineligibility

Who May Not Apply?Students working toward any degree at the time of application, or individuals planning to begin a degree-granting program during the fellowship year, with the exception of ABD (all but dissertation) status Ph.D. candidatesKresge Eminent Artist Award recipientsCurrent Kresge Artist Fellowship panelists, staff members of Kresge Arts in Detroit and The Kresge Foundation, or immediate family members of any of these individuals