A Closer Look at Idea Capital’s New Awards Structure
Carley Rickles, Soft Surveillance, printed book, edition of 30. Photo by Jackson Markovic
Starting in 2027, Idea Capital will offer awards to risk-taking and experimental artists at two levels:
The Idea Capital Catalyst Award: An award for emerging artists or established artists in the early stages of developing a project ($1000 stipend)
The Idea Capital Vanguard Award: An award for more established artists or for projects further along in development ($2500 stipend)
Unlike in the past, you won’t request a specific dollar amount. Instead, jurors will allocate awards based on the scope of the proposed project and the depth of your experience.
Why We’re Making This Change
Many artists in the community perceived the award amounts to be arbitrary and haphazard. We couldn’t agree more. This is why we’ve chosen to focus instead on recognizing exceptional ideas overall, not on the nuts-and-bolts of budget lines. The award stipend is less about paying for specific items and more about letting the community know that your idea has value.
What About the Margaret Kargbo Artist As Activist Award?
The Kargbo Award—named for former Steering Committee member and arts activist Margaret Kargbo—will continue as in the past. The Kargbo award is not a monetary award; it’s a distinction granted to an artist whose project embodies Margaret’s ethos of making art in furtherance of social justice aims. The Kargbo Award is given to an artist in addition to a monetary award, not in place of it.
What About the Travel Grant?
As of 2027, the Travel Grant will no longer be offered. You may, however, include travel as part of your proposed project. The travel may be for any research and development activity. It may not be used to simply export or perform work from Atlanta in another location.
Funding Sources
Individual donations from artists and their supporters from throughout the community remain central to funding artist projects. We’re committed to maintaining our democratic values and are seeking partnerships with larger funders who understand our mission as a community-based organization.
Application Calendar
We’ve heard from you about long delays. This year we’re tightening up our application calendar.
September 14: Application opens
November 1: Application closes
December 1: Shortlist announced
January 7: Awards announced
January 21: Funds disbursed to awardees
Find Out More
Read more about the awards at ideacapitalatlanta.com/apply. And get your tickets for A Spirited Soirée today!