CERF+’s Get Ready Program for Individual Craft Artists

The CERF+ Get Ready Grant program provides individual craft artists with up to $1,000 in funding to undertake projects that enhance studio safety, protect their careers, and improve emergency preparedness. The program is administered by CERF+ (Craft Emergency Relief Fund), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting craft artists in building resilient careers through emergency relief, readiness resources, and advocacy. CERF+ places particular emphasis on promoting equity and access, giving funding priority to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), as well as folk and traditional artists who have historically been underrepresented in the craft field. This grant supports a variety of eligible activities grouped into four major categories: Studio Safeguards, Emergency/Disaster Readiness, Business Protection & Support, and Career Protection. Examples include purchasing safety equipment, upgrading studio infrastructure, employing contractor consultations, theft protection measures, acquiring business planning tools, archiving work, hiring website designers, and accessing legal or financial planning services. Notably, the grant does not support the creation of art itself; only activities aimed at protecting the artist’s practice, business, or health and safety are eligible. To be eligible for this funding, applicants must be individual artists working in a craft discipline as defined by CERF+, which includes traditional materials like clay, glass, wood, and metal, as well as experimental approaches. Applicants must have resided and worked in the U.S. or U.S. territories for the last two years and must not have received a Get Ready Grant in the current calendar year. CERF+ considers a broad and inclusive definition of craft that honors both innovation and traditional cultural practices. The application process opens on September 17, 2024, and closes on October 29, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Grant decisions will be announced by December 3, 2024. Applications must be submitted online through CERF+’s website and include a written or video narrative, a resume or career summary, five high-resolution images of recent artwork, a photo of the artist at work, and a detailed budget outlining project expenses. Applications will be evaluated based on feasibility, budget completeness, and the applicant’s plan for disseminating what they learn. Final selection will be made through a lottery system. Grant recipients are expected to complete their projects within six months of receiving funds and must share the results with CERF+ through creative documentation methods such as blog posts, videos, or educational resources. CERF+ provides support during the application process and can be contacted at programs@cerfplus.org or by phone at 802-229-2306 ext. 3.