Lilla Jewel Awards Grant

The Lilla Jewel Awards support Oregon-based artists of marginalized genders, promoting social change through their work. Established in 1997, the awards offer $10,000 to selected artists, emphasizing those engaged in social justice movements. Eligible applicants must be Oregon residents, at least 18 years old, and of marginalized gender identities. The awards aim to amplify diverse voices historically overlooked in traditional art institutions, fostering a more inclusive artistic landscape.

Women and folks of marginalized genders have been overlooked, excluded, and disregarded by traditional art institutions for centuries.
The Lilla Jewel Award—named in honor of artist, radical feminist, and suffragist Lilla Jewel—was created to address these inequities by resourcing and amplifying Oregon-based artists of marginalized genders who advance a social change message through their work. Created in 1997, the Lilla Jewel Awards have funded dozens of poets, choreographers, singers, painters, photographers, filmmakers, writers, and other artists embedded in our social justice movements.
The award supports artists with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.
Process
This award specifically seeks to support and recognize artists through an unrestricted and open award, not necessarily a particular art piece or project.
Each year, the Lilla Jewel Award Committee—composed of former Lilla Jewel Award winners— selects one or more artists to receive an award.
Awards are $10,000 per artist and if selected, artists may serve in the Lilla Jewel Award Committee.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an award, applicants must:Be Oregon residents;Be at least 18 years of age; andBe of a marginalized gender, including trans and cis women, trans men, nonbinary people, gender non-conforming people, intersex people, and people of all genders that have been historically underrepresented and/or oppressed by structures of power.