ArtsKC is proud to announce the recipients of the first round of Inspiration Grants for the 2024-2025 funding cycle. In this round, 12 talented artists from various disciplines have been selected to receive grants totaling $42,000 in funding. Each local grantee will receive $3,500 to support their artistic projects.
The Inspiration Grants program, established by ArtsKC in 2007, provides project grants for individual artists or small groups of artists. The grants support ambitious projects that involve risk, growth, and change for the artist and/or projects that make a positive impact on the community. This year’s grantees were chosen from a highly competitive pool of applicants, representing diverse artistic disciplines, including dance, literature, poetry, fashion, film, multidisciplinary, music, theatre, visual, and others.
“We are thrilled to award these grants to such an impressive group of artists,” said ArtsKC Senior Manager, Grants, Tara Karaim. “By investing in artists, we empower individuals to express their creativity, and foster vibrant cultural exchanges that enrich our society. We are proud to support their efforts and are eager to see the lasting impact they will have on our city”.
A committee of local artists and community members, led by ArtsKC board members Nicole Miller and David Moore, reviewed submissions and made selections based on the artists’ application materials. Learn more about the artists and their projects on our website.
This year’s Inspiration Grant recipients include:
- Amaranthine Artist (Allison Bowman), Prairie In The Parks: Sticker Vending Machine
- Caleb Taylor, …and their shadows’
- Camry Ivory, Color Tones
- Creative Pathways, LLC (Kaley Wajcman) , Art 4 All: Art Making for All Abilities
- Elaine Elizabeth Clifford, Mother of Monsters
- Hadiza., Album Recording, Travel to International Residency, & Local KC Outdoor Community Activation Event
- Hugo Juarez-Avalos, Look At Me: Kansas City’s Guide to Drag Scene
- Melinda Hedgecorth, Ida y Vuelta: Flamenco Music and Dance “borrowed” songs from Mexico and Cuba
- Nasir Anthony Montalvo, {B/qKC}: Parkin’ Lot Pimpin’
- Ryan Davis, Brass & Boujee 2 – the Sequel to the U.S.A.’s first all original music Big Band Hip Hop album
- Taylar Sanders, “Deconstructed” – Solo Exhibition
- Yunfei Li, Lullabies & Little Ears: A Chamber Music Concert for Babies and Moms
ArtsKC congratulates these outstanding artists and looks forward to the contributions they will make to the Kansas City arts community through their creative endeavors. Learn more about ArtsKC’s grant programs.
Images courtesy of Inspiration Grant recipients Caleb Taylor and Ryan Davis
