Thomas Kinkade’s easel, where he made all of his paintings (image courtesy the Kinkade Family Foundation)
The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting pretty much everyone. In the art world, spaces are rapidly shuttering and projects being canceled. While it will be very difficult to mitigate the significant financial losses, there are emergency grants out there.
The Kinkade Family Foundation is offering one of these grants, specifically geared to curators. The one-time grant will award up to $5,000 for “unexpected emergencies related to the COVID-19 epidemic.” Independent curators are eligible to apply, as are curators who work with nonprofits and museums. The deadline to apply is around the corner, April 12, so that the money can reach the awardees fast.
Make sure to check the foundation’s website for instructions and eligibility. Note that the grant seems especially geared toward curators who are supporting contemporary, experimental artwork that “sheds light on the world during this time of darkness.” The foundation is also prioritizing curators who already had a venue secured for an upcoming project (set to open no later than December 31, 2020). The number of curators who will receive the grant is currently undetermined.
Thomas Kinkade, “Bridge of Faith” (1997), oil on board, 24 x 32 inches (photo by Jeff McClane)
Thomas Kinkade, the American painter of pastoral subjects who died in 2012, was a philanthropist during his lifetime. He sometimes directed proceeds from his paintings to social causes. In 1999, he sold open-edition prints of his painting “Bridge of Faith” (1997) and used the money to help build a medical center in Guatemala. A spokesperson for the foundation sent an image of this painting, adding that “the foundation hopes this [emergency] grant acts like a bridge.”
If you are interested in applying for the grant and have difficulty with internet access, contact the foundation.
