Collective Work Program

A Blade of Grass, an organization dedicated to supporting artists who work directly with communities to enact social change, offers a recurring microgrant program known as Field Funds. This program distributes $500 grants to U.S.-based individual artists and collaborative groups engaged in socially engaged art practices. For the current cycle titled “Open Call: Collective Work,” the focus is on collectives and cooperative artist groups consisting of three or more members. These groups must have a demonstrated history of collaborative work in socially engaged contexts and must identify a representative to coordinate the application and payment processes. Field Funds recognizes that the process of making socially engaged art includes not only public presentations but also behind-the-scenes work such as planning, community engagement, and archiving. Accordingly, the program funds expenses that fall into three categories: gatherings, accessibility and translation, and documentation and archiving. This includes paying facilitators or venues for meetings, providing travel or honoraria for participants, hiring access consultants, making materials more accessible, or documenting and preserving the group’s work. Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based collectives made up of at least three artists, creative practitioners, or culture bearers. Applicants must demonstrate how their practice applies creative interventions to promote justice, safety, and kindness; fosters meaningful relationships with collaborators and communities; and involves methodologies beyond traditional studio or performance work, such as advocacy or facilitation. Proposals from nonprofit organizations or commercial businesses are not eligible. Furthermore, activities proposed for funding must occur within six months of the application deadline. The application process is streamlined and intentionally non-competitive. All eligible applications are entered into a random selection process using a number generator, which determines the final grantees. This approach reflects the program’s commitment to equity and responsiveness to practitioners' evolving needs, particularly in times of social crisis. Applicants are asked only to describe how they would use the $500, rather than make a case for why their work is deserving. Applications for the current cycle opened on September 2, 2025, and will close at 11:59 PM ET on September 30, 2025. Selected applicants will be notified by October 6, 2025, and funds will be distributed by October 14, 2025. Funded activities must occur between October 14, 2025, and March 31, 2026. A follow-up survey is due by April 15, 2026, to document the completion of the proposed activities. Open Zoom office hours are available to applicants with questions about the program or application process. Inquiries can also be directed to programs@abladeofgrass.org.

Applicants are encouraged to be concise and specific about how $500 will be used.