Today, Fine Line Group, the Family office of Sasha and Edward P. Bass, launched a new artist grant initiative to support Fort Worth area artists. This innovative program challenges local visual artists to create works that reflect their experience, as members of the Fort Worth area community, during this time of pandemic.  Through offering relief grants, for a minimum of 30 artists, “THE NEW NORMAL: An Artist’s Response to COVID-19,” lays the foundation for true communal support through both service and art. This program will allow for the creation of a profound body of work both interpreting and documenting this uniquely Fort Worth experience, during these uncertain, surreal, and often worrisome times.

Aiming to jumpstart the creative economy by helping Fort Worth artists get back to work while the galleries, shops, and museums that drive their careers remain closed, “THE NEW NORMAL” grant initiative is the first-of-a-kind in the United States. This highly focused support structure strives to provide positive and unifying social connections within Fort Worth through art and hope.  As we all begin to move forward and adjust to a world that looks and feels significantly different than it did just six weeks ago, “THE NEW NORMAL” aims to bring creative experiences and services to others in our community, as well as the artists. 

“Throughout history, artists have responded to major catastrophes and provided the world with visual interpretations of a reality that captures and preserves the human experience at the time,” commented Sasha Bass, the initiative’s founder. “Ed and I, along with our partners, are honored to launch this program, which will provide much-needed income to our talented local artists and sustain the creative experiences essential to our communal spirit. Even in this age of social distance, coming together through art is possible. It will be a powerful antidote to the isolation, fear, and uncertainty our community might be experiencing during this time. It is the lens from an artist's eye that can help our community heal.”

Funded by the Fine Line Group, the Family Offices of Sasha and Edward P. Bass, with additional support from The Alice L. Walton Foundation, the Donny Wiley Memorial Fund through the North Texas Community Foundation, and Kit and Charlie Moncrief, “THE NEW NORMAL” will be administered by Gallery of Dreams, a Fort Worth nonprofit arts organization established by Lauren Childs of Fort Works Art. 

Applicants are asked to submit a written proposal including a personal statement sharing their views on how this opportunity will help them create, an overview of the COVID-19-related work they intend to create, and an idea on how their art can support others in our city. Examples of the artist’s current work, along with a statement of need demonstrating loss of income due to the COVID-19 crisis, are also required.

This initiative is open to all artists working and residing in Fort Worth.  There is NO entry fee to apply.
 

Application Open: Now
Application Deadlines:
Cycle 1: Now–May 11th
Awards announced May 16th

Cycle 2: May 12th–May 26th
Awards announced May 31st

Cycle 3: May 27th–June 20th
Awards announced June 25th

This system allows the Panel to monitor our capacity, as well as maximize each applicant’s opportunity to receive grants. Artists may only apply once, but will be considered in all cycles after their initial application. 

Distribution Schedule: Grants will be distributed after acceptance of an approved application. We encourage artists to apply as soon as possible.  

Funding: The Panel will select artists to award grants of either $2,000 or $5,000. The selected artists will not only receive these grants, but they will also have their work seen by Fort Worth Art Professionals, Museum Curators and Museum Directors. Selected works will be chosen to participate in an exhibition in Fort Worth in the Fall of 2020 or Spring of 2021. TBA 

Jury Panel:   

Alison Hearst, The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Associate Curator 

George Shackelford, Director of The Kimbell Art Museum, Director and Curator 

Mary Burke, Sid Richardson Museum, Retired Executive Director 

Maggie Adler, Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Curator 

Patricia Riley, National Cowgirl Museum, Director 

Lauren Childs, Fort Works Art, Director and Curator 

Sasha Bass, Fine Line Group, Principal 

Ed Bass, Fine Line Group, Principal 

Eligibility Requirements: "THE NEW NORMAL"  is open to all local visual artists working and residing in Fort Worth, TX exclusively. Medium examples include painting, drawing, digital, video, mixed media, photography, illustration, sculpture, fibers, etc. All works must be original and completed in response to submitted proposal. All works must be available to exhibit in a group show. One work will be chosen for the artist to exhibit and donate for exhibition. 

“THE NEW NORMAL” is open to all local visual artists working and residing in Fort Worth, TX exclusively. Medium examples include painting, drawing, digital, video, mixed media, photography, illustration, sculpture, fibers, etc. All works must be original and completed in response to COVID-19. All works must be available, with one work donated for exhibition. 

To be eligible, you must meet the prompts listed below. Please note that “THE NEW NORMAL” selection panel will make final eligibility determinations at their discretion.  

• A practicing artist able to demonstrate a sustained commitment to their work, career, and a public audience. 

• Experiencing financial need due to the COVID-19 pandemic; Examples include loss of income due to canceled shows, furloughed work, etc. 

• 21 years of age or older. 

• Currently lives and works in Fort Worth, TX. Must have a Fort Worth address.

• Must not be an immediate family member, officer, or full-time employee of any of the jury panel partners.

• Has not previously been awarded a relief grant from this fund.  

Application Instructions: 

Written detail of financial need due to the COVID-19 crisis, demonstrating a loss of income from canceled gallery shows, loss of paid projects, unemployment, etc.

A written proposal must be submitted for consideration that details how the artists see themself creating art in response to COVID-19. Please describe what type of art you will create during this time, and what will you do to support the community. We want you to create the future of this initiative.  The proposal selections will rely heavily on how the artist sees their work or this opportunity as a way for them to support others within our community. 

We know that great artworks have yet to be created in response to this COVID-19 artists initiative, but we would like to see examples of your current work included for consideration. 

• IMPORTANT: Please refrain from using your name in any of the written proposals or artwork submissions, as this is an anonymous selection process.
   

Entry Fee and Procedures: One, two or three digital images may be submitted via CaFÉ with NO ENTRY FEE. 

Submitting Images for Jurying: All entries (information and images) will be accepted through the CaFÉ website. To apply you must use a personal email to sign up for a CaFÉ account.  

1) Each entrant may submit up to three digital images of three different examples of their current art works. 

2) Each work must be represented by only one image (no detail views or duplicates). 

Instructions on how to format images to CaFÉ specifications can be found under the Media Prep tab. 

If you require additional information regarding "THE NEW NORMAL: Art During Covid-19," please see the FAQ page or e-mail us at info@fortworksart.com. 

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria