StoreArtists+ and Material Grants
Since 1996, Visual AIDS has awarded Artists+ Material Grants to artists living with HIV who are in need of financial assistance in obtaining materials to create their artwork.
Grants are issued as gift certificates for up to $400, to selected art supply vendors at Dick Blick or B&H Photography. The number of grants issued by Visual AIDS is subject to available funds. Artists+ Members are eligible for only one grant per 12-month cycle. International Artist Members are eligible for grants, however, Visual AIDS cannot provide funds for international tariff fees and/or international shipping fees.
Deadline to apply is February 1 and July 1 of each year.
Artist+ Material Grants are available to Visual AIDS Artist+ Members only.
To apply, please fill out this form and send to Tracy Fenix, Visual AIDS Artist+ Registry & Archive Associate at [email protected]. Applications can also be mailed to the Visual AIDS office at 526 West 26th Street #510, New York, NY 10001.
"With this year’s grant, from B&H Photo, I was allowed to purchase a digital scanner in order to document many of my 35mm slides, and negatives. Currently, I have been able to process close to 150 of these archival photos into my PC, representing past artworks, many of which were stolen or lost from my possession. Much of this earlier work has not been seen by the public in over 35 years, and in many cases, is the only evidence and or, historical reference to the work." - M.B
I’m currently working on a male nude series on works on paper for an upcoming solo show next year. The grants allow me to purchase many supplies so I may continue printmaking. – Carmine Santaniello, Queens, NY
I was able to finish a project I had begun on women with HIV and pregnancy. I am combining digital work with more traditional printmaking. I have a solo show coming up, that certainly the art supplies have made possible. - Nancer LeMoins, San Francisco, CA
The grant has certainly been an inspiration to go on and keep busy to my art and it’s creativity, especially when hardly any other materials were available. It was like a fresh, new breath of creativity. Inspiration to keep motivated even in most difficult times. - Edith Alvarez, New York, NY
The new materials have helped spur on a new resurgence in my artistic energies. The first night after purchasing the new materials, I went right home and promptly started three new paintings. The materials provided make this work directly possible. – Richard Treitner, Pine Hill, NY
Thanks to Visual AIDS so much for the gift certificates over the years. It has afforded me to continue making art which is healing for me. I'm certain all the artists in the program feel the same way.
- Ronnie Queenan, Houston, Texas
Since I received the materials grant, I have been working on a photography series featuring the East end of Toronto. With the purchase of the Canon EF 17-40 mm lens, I am able to take wide shots, which I was unable to before. This way of capturing the material and natural world has been integrated into my art practice. - Dee Stoicescu, Toronto, Canada.
As a Fine Artist who is HIV positive, I would feel alone and looked for a community, even if online, to connect with and join. Visual AIDS has been so helpful in making me feel like I am part of something bigger than myself. It's also a space in which I feel safe to express myself fully.- J.Hartz, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania