FAQ

General FAQs

Does it cost anything to apply to The Ignite Fund?

Is a grant from The Ignite Fund taxable?

Yes. The Ignite Fund grants are considered taxable income. Lead Applicants are responsible for receiving the grant funds and 1099 IRS tax forms.

How long is the grant period?

The Ignite Fund grant period is one year from the date funds are awarded (November 2025-November 2026).

If my project has been selected, when will I receive funding?

If your project has been accepted, you will receive funding once the grant period begins (November 2027). All funds will be transferred to the Lead Applicant.

How many proposals may I submit?

Does everyone involved with the project need to identify as an artist?

No. The Lead Applicant must identify as an artist. However, community members, partners, external stakeholders, and collaborators do not need to identify as artists.

Why does the application require a section on accessibility?

Projects should consider accessibility so that a wide range of people can experience the presentation of the project. Grantees are encouraged to be transparent about the accessibility services that are offered. For a list of accessibility services to consider for your project, please see the Accessibility page, which includes examples, resources, and providers.

What does it mean for a project to be ambitious and experimental?

Here are some examples of what ambitious and experimental could mean for your project:

A new medium that you have not explored before
An unconventional/non-traditional venue for presentation
New collaborators for you and your practice
A conceptual idea that challenges our current understanding of your topic
Please note that the above are only a few examples of what ambitious or experimental could mean for your project. The Ignite Fund cannot define what ambitious and/or experimental fully means for each individual artist. In the application, applicants will have the opportunity to define these words for themselves and their practice.

What does it mean for a project to center visual arts?

The Ignite Fund embraces a broad understanding of the visual arts. Applicants will be required to describe in their own words how their project centers visual arts as the primary root and impulse. Successful proposals for The Ignite Fund will demonstrate that visual expression is not simply an enhancement, but the primary language through which ideas are developed, communicated, and understood. You may reference relevant visual arts movements, formats, artists, collectives, projects, or histories, and describe how they influence or inform your work.
Some visual arts mediums could include, but are not limited to visual/multidisciplinary artists who create original work in:
- Photography, video, fashion, ceramics, drawing, artist books, body art, weaving, installation art, painting, printmaking, curatorial concepts, sculpture, 3D/object work, media art, sound-based art, performance art, social practice, fiber/textile, illustration, murals, animation, design, and more.
- If you are uncertain, please reach out to our team to determine your eligibility. You can reach us at info@ignitefund.org

In the Project Budget, can I include payment to myself?

Yes. We encourage applicants to pay themselves and their collaborators. The current industry standard for paying yourself is around 15% of your total budget.

I would like to apply with a film and/or digital media project. Is this considered visual arts?

Yes. Visual artists or artists, including filmmakers and digital media artists, with a history of presenting their work in visual art contexts are eligible to apply. Please keep in mind that project proposals that follow our priority list & selection process will be highly considered over proposals that do not.

What does it mean to have a history of presenting my work in a “visual art context”?

Presenting work in a visual arts context means showcasing in museum, galleries, arts non-profit, the public art realm, etc.

Who is the “Lead Applicant”?

The Lead Applicant is the individual artist applying for The Ignite Fund grant. If you are part of a collective the Lead Applicant will operate as the point person on the project.

If I receive one of The Ignite Fund grants, am I considered a grantee of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts or 3Arts?

I’ve received one of The Ignite Fund grants. Can I apply again?

Past grantees og The Ignite Fund must wait 1 year after the completion of their project to be eligible again. This means if applicants were awarded in 2024, their funding period would end in 2025, and they would not be eligible to apply again until 2026.