The City of Cambridge is seeking applications for its Art for Social Justice Grants to support projects that present the themes and ongoing work of social justice to the Cambridge public through the arts.
Donor Name: City of Cambridge
State: Massachusetts
City: Cambridge
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/17/2023
Size of the Grant: $7,500
Grant Duration: 18 months
Details:
Social justice is a broad concept of equity that includes every realm of society, such as health, education, food, housing, laws, information and digital access, transportation, political and economic opportunity and agency, environmental health, safety, civic participation, or public spaces. They are seeking projects that reflect the interests, visions, and participation of those who have historically been underserved and underrepresented – this includes the participation of those who identify as Black, Indigenous, Asian American, or Pacific Islander, others who identify as people of color, as well as persons with disabilities.
Cambridge Arts believes that artists are uniquely suited to help us respond to the harm caused by systemic bias and racism. Artists can contribute to the collective ongoing work as a community must do to build a genuinely inclusive society.
Funding Information
Grants of $7,500 will be awarded to individuals and organizations to carry out cultural programs that present the themes and ongoing work of social justice to the Cambridge public through the arts.
Eligibility Criteria
Artists and organizations based in Cambridge are eligible to apply.
Projects must have lead artists on board who work or live in Cambridge. All projects must take place in Cambridge, serve the public, and be integrated into the community. For example, an artist might collaborate with an organization addressing a need such as a housing or health agency, a transportation service, a school, an organization promoting parks and nature or greater healthy food access. It is also possible to partner with a city department, for which Cambridge Arts will assist the grantee.
COVID-19 NOTE: Project proposals must describe a plan that respects the state and city public health recommendations or requirements regarding COVID-19.
- Program Eligibility
- All approved projects must be completed within an 18-month window of eligibility, between the July 1st preceding the application deadline in November, and December 31st of the following year.
- Public Benefit
- Projects must demonstrate a community benefit. Funds support activities that contribute to the cultural vitality of the community as a whole, rather than benefiting any one private individual or group. This does not mean that a large audience needs to participate in order to satisfy the requirement of community benefit.
- Non-Discrimination
- Cambridge Arts will not fund projects that discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, creed, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or age.
- No Substitution
- Cambridge Arts Grant Program funds are neither intended to replace nor supplement existing public funds for programs in the arts, humanities, or interpretive sciences, nor to be used as the sole source of project funding. Any item or activity that is generally considered the financial responsibility of the City will not be approved, even if funding did not previously exist for that item or activity.
- Designing for Access
- Cambridge Arts believes a strong proposal will consider the concept of Universal Design designing a program or project that can be enjoyed, accessed, and understood by the largest range of individuals possible regardless of age, size, abilities, or disabilities. They abide by state and federal regulations which bar discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, gender identity, or sexual orientation, and which require accessibility for persons with disabilities. Cambridge Arts and its grantees are expected to be in compliance with:
- The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504)
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Other applicable state and local laws
- Cambridge Arts aims to help grantees understand their obligations and recognize the opportunities that increasing access can provide for both the public and the grantee. Individuals and organizations funded by Cambridge Arts that present public programs or offer services to the public must make reasonable accommodations to ensure that people with disabilities have equal physical and communications access, as defined by federal law
- Cambridge Arts believes a strong proposal will consider the concept of Universal Design designing a program or project that can be enjoyed, accessed, and understood by the largest range of individuals possible regardless of age, size, abilities, or disabilities. They abide by state and federal regulations which bar discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, gender identity, or sexual orientation, and which require accessibility for persons with disabilities. Cambridge Arts and its grantees are expected to be in compliance with:
For more information, visit City of Cambridge.
