Hoʻākea Source Grant Program

Hoʻākea Source Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Young Of Heart Workshop
Amount: US $2,000 - US $10,000
Last Updated: December 23, 2025

Summary

The Hoʻākea Source Grant Program supports visual artists in Hawaiʻi, promoting Native Hawaiian values through funding of up to $10,000 for creative projects. This initiative emphasizes community engagement and collaboration, aligning with strategic priorities like stewardship of land, relationality, and systemic transformation. By funding diverse artistic endeavors, the program aims to uplift underrepresented voices and foster a vibrant cultural landscape in Hawaiʻi, ultimately enhancing the local arts ecosystem and encouraging innovative forms of expression.

Overview

Background Hoʻākea Source is a regranting program that furthers the mission of Puʻuhonua Society by creating new opportunities to support and honor visual artists living and working in Hawaiʻi and by affirming Native Hawaiian value-systems. Hoʻākea Source embodies the teachings of the well known ʻōlelo noʻeau, Hawaiian proverb, "ʻike aku, ʻike mai, kōkua aku, kōkua mai; pela iho la ka nohona ʻohana." Indeed, those who recognize others are recognized, those who help others are helped—such is expansive family life. It is only through our mutual dependence on one another that we thrive. Hoʻākea Source is a Regional Regranting Program Partner of the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. The Regional Regranting Program partners with local arts organizations around the country to make grants to artists and collectives for projects that chart new creative territory in their communities. The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Regional Regranting Program aims to support vibrant, under-the-radar artistic activity by partnering with leading cultural institutions in communities across the country. The program allows the Foundation to reach the sizable population of informal, non-incorporated artist collectives and to support their alternative gathering spaces, publications, websites, events and other projects. The Foundation plans to expand this program with partner organizations in areas where the level of on-the-ground, self-organized artistic activity is highest. Strategic Priorities Proposed Research and Projects should speak directly to one or more of the following three strategic priorities: ʻMoemoeā (Dreams):Proposals that begin from a place beyond waking life; proposals that highlight the fantastic potential of the unrealized or yet-to-be; proposals that imagine alternative ways of being and knowing…Puʻuhonua (Refuges):Proposals that revolve around individuals, groups, communities, spaces, times, and/or places of sanctuary; proposals that counteract the violence of daily life under ongoing U.S. occupation…Ea (Freedoms):Proposals that embody life, breath, sovereignty, self-determination, and/or independence; proposals that address obstacles to and/or clear pathways for Indigenous growth, health, and wellbeing. Proposals that rise… Funding Hoʻākea Source will award grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, to selected projects. Total award monies distributed will be $122,000 per year.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The lead organizer(s) should identify as an artist working in the visual arts. It is not a requirement that all members of the project self-identify as artists, or work in the visual performing arts.Review Criteria:All proposals will be considered based on the following criteria:Proposed Research and Projects should speak directly to one or more of the three strategic priorities.Applications will be reviewed on overall concept and feasibility, with an emphasis on experimentation and risk taking; unconventional viewpoints are encouraged.Applicants should describe their relationship to Hawai‘i and how their work as a visual artist demonstrates a commitment to this place. Responses should speak to how long they have been an active participant in the local arts ecosystem and in what ways their work serves Hawaiʻi. A successful application will:Speak directly to what the proposal is, who it involves, and which of the three strategic priorities it most closely aligns with and whySituate an artistic practice within a larger visual arts genealogy of HawaiʻiDemonstrate a capacity to realize the project on time and within budgetExplain how the public would engage with the project with an emphasis on non-conventional exhibition spacesDescribe the potential impact on a local community and the larger arts and culture landscape of Hawaiʻi Award recipients will have one calendar year from the date of award notification to complete their projects and public event.Equipment purchases should reflect no more than 20% of the amount awarded.Existing projects that seek to expand their reach or are considered “ongoing” can be considered.