The Idea Fund

Program Type: Re-granting initiative providing direct grants to artists

Award Structure: Up to 12 cash awards at three distinct levels:

• Spark: $1,000
• Catalyst: $4,000
• Stimulus: $7,000

Focus Areas

• Artist-generated or artist-centered projects
• Unconventional, interventionist, conceptual, entrepreneurial, participatory, or guerrilla artistic practices
• Projects occurring outside traditional frameworks of support

Geographic Eligibility

Lead artist must reside in one of the following counties:

• Harris
• Galveston
• Brazoria
• Fort Bend
• Waller
• Chambers
• Liberty
• Montgomery

Eligible Applicants

• Individual artists
• Curators
• Collectives
• Collaboratives
• Partnerships
• Greater Houston area residents

Selection Process

• Competitive grants awarded by panel of arts professionals and artists
• Merit-based evaluation

Administration

Administered through partnership of:

• Project Row Houses
• Aurora Picture Show
• DiverseWorks

Contact Information

Mary Magsamen, Aurora Picture Show Curator

• Email: magsamen@aurorapictureshow.org
• Phone: 713.868.2101
• Website: www.TheIdeaFund.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheIdeaFund/
• Twitter: @theideafund
• Instagram: @theideafund

Application Process

1. Attend Information Session (Optional but Encouraged)
- Free information sessions held at various locations in the Houston area
- Sessions include application guidelines overview and budget workshop

2. Submit Online Application
- Portal: https://diverseworks.submittable.com/submit
- Application portal also available at www.TheIdeaFund.org

3. Application Materials Required
- Online submission form
- Project proposal details
- Artist/applicant information

4. Timeline
- Application deadline: Typically early November (specific date varies by round)
- Grantee announcements: Following month
- Project completion deadline: End of calendar year

Eligibility Requirements

• Lead artist must reside in eligible counties (Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Waller, Chambers, Liberty, or Montgomery)
• No residency duration requirement specified
• Open to individual artists, curators, collectives, collaboratives, or partnerships
• No application fees
• No project outline requirements

Selection Criteria

• Projects exemplifying unconventional, interventionist, conceptual, entrepreneurial, participatory, or guerrilla artistic practices
• Merit-based evaluation by panel of arts professionals and artists
• Work occurring outside traditional frameworks of support