Last year The Arts Commission of Toledo started awarding “Artist Accelerator Grants” to area artists and I am one of the most recent recipients! The Artist Accelerator Grant is intended to fund artists and creatives in purchasing supplies and equipment for short-term projects and career goals.
This summer I needed to purchase some supplies and was discouraged because I didn’t have the funds to do so. I have never received a grant before and rarely applied for one. My mindset has always been to support my projects through art sales. Thanks to a couple of artists in the area who mentioned that they had applied for the grant, I was able to change my mindset to take advantage of this opportunity for funding. I am thrilled that I will be able to share the results of this grant with the Toledo community in the next months.
I sought funding for furthering my series of Mind-Body-Spirit drawings, including paper, matting and framing, and purchasing reproductions of those drawings for resale. Thanks to the grant I will be well-stocked for the Art Loop Mini-Mart at Handmade Toledo November 15. Stop by between 5 and 9 to visit more than 40 makers and get a head start on Christmas shopping.
The grant also gave me a head start in preparing for a spring two-person exhibit at 20North Gallery in Toledo. The grant funds have provided the means to purchase paper to create more drawings, as well as mats and frames to display them.
It is so much fun to shop with money designated for supplies! I usually have to parcel out my purchases over many months, making sure I have made enough sales, and will have enough money for expenses for the upcoming months. It is such a relief to have money that MUST be spent on supplies! I had a deadline for spending all the money and I did it! It’s not often one gets to say — with joy — “I spent all my money!”
Since we moved here in 2015 I have been impressed with the Toledo Arts Commission’s availability and support of local artists . Toledo has a long history of support and engagement for the arts, including the world-class Toledo Museum of Art. The Toledo Ballet has been performing the Nutcracker for 78 straight years, longer than any other company in the country. I am grateful to be the recipient of the Arts Commission’s active engagement in growing the arts community of Toledo.
Please come visit me at the Art Loop Mini-Mart November 15 or at 20North Gallery in the Spring!
Sign up here for an email invitation with all the details:
