Overview
The Precipice Fund, administered by the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA) as part of the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts’ Regional Regranting Program, awards grants to unincorporated visual art collectives, alternative spaces, and collaborative projects. This fund supports independent art initiatives facing funding barriers. Round 13 of the Precipice Fund is open to projects based in and around Portland, Oregon.
Precipice Fund Culture and Community
The Precipice Fund fosters a grantmaking culture focused on community over competition, emphasizing collaboration and connection.
Emphasis on Visual Art
The Precipice Fund awards grants to visual art projects. Interdisciplinary projects are eligible only if visual art is central. Film projects may qualify during their creation phase if they connect to visual art practices and communities. Projects in sound art are typically eligible if situated within an expanded visual art context. Innovation, experimentation, and risk-taking are encouraged. Virtual information sessions are available to clarify eligibility.
Grant Amounts
In Round 13, grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 will be awarded, with a total of $60,000 in funding. Applicants should budget carefully and request only what is necessary to allow for broader distribution of funds.
Funding Priorities
The Precipice Fund prioritizes projects that:
- Are innovative and experimental.
- Are artist-run, artist-centric, or artist-driven.
- Create opportunities for other local artists.
- Challenge traditional practices and models.
- Engage the public through various forms of presentation.
- Consider audience diversity and public access.
- Contribute to the creative vibrancy of Portland’s art community.
- Are led by or center underrepresented artists or communities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Projects must be rooted in visual arts.
- Projects must be produced by independent, unincorporated entities. Partnerships with 501(c)(3) nonprofits or for-profit enterprises are not eligible.
- Projects must be collaborative, with a minimum of two and a maximum of six applicants, one of whom must serve as the Primary Contact.
- The Primary Contact must reside in the Portland, Oregon area.
Important Dates & Deadlines
- August 19, 2024, 9:00 AM PDT: Applications open.
- August 26, 2024, 12:00 – 1:30 PM PDT: First virtual information session.
- September 11, 2024, 6:00 – 7:30 PM PDT: Second virtual information session.
- October 1, 2024, 11:59 PM PDT: Applications close.
- Late November 2024: Applicants notified of decisions.
- December 2024: Grantees publicly announced.
- By January 31, 2025: Grant funds distributed.
- December 31, 2025: Projects must be completed, and reports submitted.
Review Process and Selection Criteria
Proposals are reviewed by an external panel of local and national artists and art workers. Selection criteria include:
- Artistic Strength: Innovation, engagement with contemporary culture, and commitment to artistic practice.
- Public Engagement: Accessibility, support for local artists, community impact.
- Feasibility: Project completion within the grant period and available resources.
Grant Recipient Responsibilities
Recipients are responsible for:
- Timely completion of required forms and communications.
- Financial accountability and integrity.
- Submission of a final project narrative by the end of the grant period.
- Periodic project updates and images for public use.
How to Apply / Application Deadline
The application process is entirely web-based. Applications open on August 19, 2024, at 9:00 AM PDT and close on October 1, 2024, at 11:59 PM PDT.
Notification
Applicants will be notified by late November 2024. Please refrain from contacting staff about award decisions before this time.
Contact Information
For inquiries, email precipice@pica.org. Visit www.precipicefund.org for more information.
