2025 Leeway Transformation Award

The Leeway Transformation Award (LTA) is an annual, unrestricted $15,000 award that recognizes and supports women, trans, and gender nonconforming artists and cultural producers who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to art for social change in the Greater Philadelphia region. Administered by the Leeway Foundation, this award is designed not to fund a specific project but to support the ongoing creative and community work of eligible artists. Applicants must have been creating art for social change for at least five years and must have lived in one of the six Greater Philadelphia counties—Bucks, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia—since at least April 2023. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and must identify as a woman, trans, or gender nonconforming individual. The foundation uses “trans” inclusively, encompassing a wide spectrum of gender identities outside of cisnormativity. The LTA defines "art for social change" as art that advances progressive change within a community. It must be central to the artist’s ideas, process, and goals. Artists working in all mediums—including experimental, traditional, multimedia, and nontraditional formats—are welcome to apply. The application process is conducted in two stages. The Stage 1 deadline is May 15, 2025, and is open to all eligible applicants. A panel of community-based artists and cultural producers will select up to 30 individuals to advance to Stage 2. Applicants will be notified of Stage 1 decisions in August 2025. Stage 2 is by invitation only and includes a stipend for applicants to support the preparation of work samples. Award notifications will be sent in December 2025. Support is available through multiple information sessions and applicant assistance events in English and Spanish. Applications may be submitted online or in hardcopy. Applicants can also apply collaboratively, provided both meet eligibility requirements and have shared equally in past artistic roles.