Arts Midwest is now accepting applications for the Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities, an award supporting accessibility in the arts and celebrating the work of disabled Midwestern visual artists.
-
What?
The Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities is a $3,000 award that recognize disabled visual artists in our region, celebrates their efforts, and encourages their future work.
-
Who?
We invite mid-career 2D and 3D visual artists with disabilities to apply for this award.
-
When?
This award application will close at 11:59 pm CST on May 22, 2023, with the first round of awards being made in mid-July 2023.
-
Where?
From 2023–2025, this award will recognize 27 individuals (9 per year) in the Arts Midwest region of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and the Native Nations that share this geography.
About the Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities
Please note that we acknowledge both identity first and person first framing of disability identity. When we use the phrase “disabled artists,” we intend to align with the Social Model of Disability understanding that people are disabled by environmental and societal barriers.
The Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities supports and celebrates accessibility in the arts. It recognizes that the funding community in the Midwest has not historically invested in disabled artists and that increasing support for this group is an important part of increasing accessibility in the arts. It also advocates for the arts being viable employment, which is often overlooked by funding agencies supporting people with disabilities.
Established in 2022, this award is supported by the James Edward Scherbarth and Paul Francis Mosley Giving Fund. The award was created in honor of the late James Edward Scherbarth, an award-winning visual artist, visual arts teacher, and advocate of arts access who lived and worked in Minnesota. Jim believed that creativity lives in everyone, and he dedicated his career to helping people express themselves through the visual arts.
“We thank Jim Scherbarth for his contributions to arts access, and are grateful to be able to give this award to honor his legacy,” said Torrie Allen, President & CEO of Arts Midwest. “There are so many visual artists with disabilities doing amazing work in the Midwest. We’re thrilled to recognize their talent and creativity with this award.”
Read the Application Guidelines
Learn more about the Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities, eligibility requirements, and how to upload and submit your application.
Have questions about the Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities?
We’re happy to answer any questions you have about the Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities. Be sure to check out our FAQs, and if you’d like to talk to us we’re just an email or a phone call away.
Read FAQs Contact Us