The Robert W. Deutsch Foundation is pleased to announce the relaunch of the Rubys Artist Grant. Founded as a project-based funding opportunity for artists in Baltimore city and county, the relaunched program will continue to invite artists to propose new, innovative, and experimental projects for consideration in an annual, open call while offering supplemental support to the awardees. More than a dozen Rubys will be awarded, totaling $225,000 in grant money ( https://www.rwdfoundation.org/rubys).
In addition to project funding up to $15,000, the Rubys will provide awardees with professional development services, networking opportunities, and an enhanced community of alumni and mentors. The Rubys will also partner with several Deutsch Foundation projects such as Open Works, Motor House, BmoreArt and Connect + Collect, to outfit awardees, when relevant to their work, with access to tools, technologies, equipment, performance and event space, exposure, and dialogue.
The relaunched Rubys will introduce a new, two-phase application, which is now open. The award invites artists in all four categories, Literary Arts, Media Arts, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts, to apply, and projects will be reviewed by experts in each discipline. Outstanding projects will move on to round two, where applicants will be asked to outline their full project narrative, budget, and public components.
Since its launch in 2013, the Rubys Artists Grants have become highly valued opportunities for Baltimore area creatives and have helped to fund a diverse range of projects by 158 artists. By supporting future projects holistically, the Rubys aim to support Baltimore’s creative community to enable artists to continue to have sustainable and successful careers.
The Rubys Artist Grants were established in 2013 to support the local artistic community of performing, visual, media and literary artists through meaningful, direct project funding. The Rubys were inspired by Ruby Lerner, the visionary founder of Creative Capital in New York City.
The Robert W. Deutsch Foundation invests in innovative people, programs and ideas that promote arts and culture, economic and community development, and social justice, with a primary focus on the City of Baltimore. www.rwdfoundation.org
