Materials & Digitization Grants

Since 1996, Visual AIDS has awarded Material Grants to artists living with HIV who are in need of financial assistance in obtaining materials to create their artwork.

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.

Grants are issued in three forms:

• - $400 gift certificate to Blick Art Materials
• - $400 gift certificate to B&H Photo Video
• - *NEW*: Digitization of 10 items through Legacybox

Starting in 2020, Visual AIDS is offering a new type of Materials Grant to support Artist+ Members in digitizing analog audiovisual materials. The service is offered through Legacybox, a mail-order service for artists living in the continental United States. Each grant covers the digitization of up to 10 items — video tapes, film, audio, or photographs. For more information, see here.

To Apply

The deadline to apply is February 1 and July 1 of each year.

To apply online for a gift card to Blick Art Materials or B&H Photo Video, click here.

To apply online for Legacybox video digitization, click here.

You can also apply for a Blick or B&H gift card by email or mail with this PDF form. Send applications to:

Tracy Fenix, Artist+ Registry and Archive Associate
[email protected]
526 West 26th Street #510
New York, NY 10001

Eligibility

Artist+ Material Grants are available to Visual AIDS Artist+ Members only.

To be eligible you must:

1. Be either a current Visual AIDS artist member or have audiovisual materials relating to an artist living with HIV who has passed away. (Artist estates can apply for the Digitization Grant only.)
2. Have not received a grant from Visual AIDS in the past 12 months.
3. Agree to report on the use of the grant, submit receipts, and show documentation of words created.
4. Submit an application form by February 1 or July 1.
   

* Note to artists living outside of the United States: While Blick and B&H can ship internationally to most countries, you may be charged additional tariffs or shipping fees. Visual AIDS cannot provide funds to cover any additional fees. For more information, see the Blick and B&H support pages. The Legacybox grant is only available for artists living in the continental United States.

"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