The Equity Response grant program provides resources for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)-led, People with Disabilities (PWD)-led, and/or Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual/Agender, Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2+)-led MRAC eligible groups.
Equity Response grants provide funding (up to $2,500) for targeted small-scale projects as a starting or transition point for groups to support their ability to provide access to the arts in a changing environment (COVID-19 and current social change realities).
This grant opportunity is open to new applicants as well as applicants who have received funding in the past.
Some examples of eligible projects could be, but are not restricted to:
Meet a group’s needs critical to its continued ability to provide arts activities to its community:
Covering the costs of an organization’s responsibilities to staff and contractors for projects not already funded by MRAC, including wages and benefits, to adapt or sustain the organization; Hosting a staff/board retreat and working with a consultant to create or revise a strategic or business plan; and/or Developing a plan, or even beginning work, that sets a group up for other grant opportunities.
Advance the group’s journey through (re-)envisioning, planning, securing necessary materials, and/or piloting new ways of working:
Acquiring, replacing, or repairing key infrastructure or equipment, such as those for virtual programming; and/or Paying costs to move out of a building, buy supplies for home offices, or make alternative accommodations for employees unable to return because of the pandemic.
Explore, initiate, or expand collaborations/strategic partnerships/resource sharing that supports a resilient arts ecosystem in the region:
Hosting collaborative virtual conversations aimed at coalition-building and resource-sharing across multiple organizations (such as a monthly meet-up for BIPOC artists or managing directors); and/or Producing a pop-up community artistic activity, with appropriate social distancing, responding to a social issue.
Please read the guidelines before you apply.
Text Guidelines for screen readers and translation applications are available here: Equity Response Text Grant Guidelines A pdf of the grant guidelines is available below in the Grant Documents section.
Grant Workshop
A video of the grant workshop is available on YouTube at this link: Equity Support Grant Workshop Video The slides referenced in the workshop are available in the grant document section below.