BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant Program

The BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant, administered by Deaf Spotlight, is an annual initiative established in 2021 to support the artistic endeavors of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) who are also Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, or Hard of Hearing. Deaf Spotlight, a nonprofit arts organization based in Seattle, Washington, aims to celebrate and elevate Deaf Culture and Sign Languages through arts programming. The BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant is a vital funding mechanism that enhances opportunities for emerging and established Deaf artists of color to thrive creatively and professionally in an often inaccessible arts landscape. This program awards $1,000 each to four recipients annually, with a specific allocation that guarantees at least one awardee from the Pacific Northwest region—defined as Washington, Oregon, or Idaho—and at least one recipient selected nationally from outside that region. The grant can be used to support a wide variety of creative practices across literary, media, performing, tactile, and visual arts disciplines. Funds are intended to support direct project expenses, wages, supplies, space and equipment rentals, marketing, travel, training, and accessibility measures such as interpreters or captioning. However, grant funds may not be used for general software or unrelated equipment, higher education tuition, religious or political endeavors, or gifts. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old by the application deadline and reside in the United States or U.S. territories; U.S. citizenship is not required. Applicants must identify as both a member of a BIPOC community and as Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, or Hard of Hearing. Individuals involved with Deaf Spotlight as staff, board, or committee members in 2025, as well as past recipients of the BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant, are not eligible to apply. Prior volunteers or committee members must disclose any potential conflicts of interest in their applications. Applications for the 2025 cycle open on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, and must be submitted by Sunday, August 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Required materials include a short biography (100–150 words), an artist statement explaining the significance of their work (100–350 words), a project or use-of-funds narrative (100–350 words), and up to three samples of original artwork created within the past ten years. Artworks must include relevant details such as title, year, dimensions, and a summary. Submissions are accepted through the application form linked on Deaf Spotlight’s website. Grant recipients must choose whether to receive the $1,000 as a lump sum or in two $500 payments. Awardees are also required to provide either a written reflection (100–350 words) or a video (1–5 minutes) in sign language detailing the impact of the funding. This includes discussing the project it supported, what the funds were used for, and any other sources of funding they may have received. Reports must be submitted via email to BIPOCDeafArtsGrant@deafspotlight.org and include permission for Deaf Spotlight to promote the artist and their work. Applications are evaluated for eligibility, completeness, and merit by a screening committee. The review criteria include the clarity of the project vision, demonstrated need, artistic potential and experience, and evidence of ongoing growth and development in artistic practices. Final notifications will be sent via email in October 2025, with a public announcement of the recipients scheduled for Friday, October 24, 2025.

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