Showcase Your Vision: Queer|Art 2024 Grants Open for Emerging LGBTQ+ Photographers and Black Trans Women

In the heart of the artistic world, where vibrant creativity meets diverse identity, the Queer|Art organization stands as a source of inspiration and support for LGBTQ+ artists. This year, Queer|Art, renowned for fostering inclusive and empowering spaces, presents two extraordinary opportunities for emerging artists.

These grants not only offer financial aid but symbolize a commitment to uplifting voices from marginalized communities. The Robert Giard Grant for Emerging LGBTQ+ Photographers and The Illuminations Grant for Black Trans Women Visual Artists, are paving pathways for artistic expressions that resonate with issues of sexuality, gender, and LGBTQ+ identity.

The Robert Giard Grant for Emerging LGBTQ+ Photographers supports the creation of work by emerging LGBTQ+ photographers whose projects address issues of sexuality, gender, or LGBTQ+ identity.

Lines of a Golf Course (1979) by Robert Giard.
Courtesy of the Estate of Robert Giard.
Male Nude Wearing Angel Wings (1994) by Robert Giard.
Courtesy of the Estate of Robert Giard.

Queer|Art’s first international grant provides an award of $10,000 for the winner and $1,250 for distinguished finalists, to support the creation of new work by emerging LGBTQ+ photographers. Named in honor of photographer Robert Giard (1939-2002), a portrait, landscape, and figure photographer whose work focused on LGBTQ+ lives and issues, the grant focuses on supporting emerging LGBTQ+ photographers whose projects address issues of sexuality, gender, or LGBTQ+ identity.

The grant was organized in partnership with The Robert Giard Foundation from 2020 until 2022 when the Foundation ceased operations. The Robert Giard Grant for Emerging LGBTQ+ Photographers supports and promotes self-taught, early career or otherwise emerging LGBTQ+ artists, awarded on a yearly basis. This support is vital for emerging artists, who may lack the financial resources or institutional support available to more established artists.

Judges for the 2024 grant cycle include Sarah Burke, Jess T. Dugan, Jacqueline Francis and Tommy Kha. The 2024 Robert Giard Grant for Emerging LGBTQ+ Photographers is made possible with the generous support of Joan Cadden, Glenn Stancroff, and the Robert Giard Foundation.

Applications are open until June 30, 2024.

Prospective applicants should review application requirements and apply directly through the Queer|Art website.

The Illuminations Grant for Black Trans Women Visual Artists sheds light on the under-recognized contributions of Black trans women visual artists and provides critical support to their continuing work.

NYC Gay Pride by Mariette Pathy Allen.

Now in its fifth year, The Illuminations Grant for Black Trans Women Visual Artists sheds light on the under-recognized contributions of Black trans women visual artists and provides critical support to their continuing work. Developed and named in partnership with Mariette Pathy Allen, Aaryn Lang, and Serena Jara, this grant supports visual artists who are self-identified Black trans women and awards $10,000 to the winner and $1,250 to distinguished finalists. Winning artists will receive additional professional development resources and further guidance to bolster their creative development in the field.  

“The Illuminations Grant not only highlights the lacking representation of Black trans women in the visual arts,” says Lang, “but also seeks to confront the systemic barriers that deny them artistic opportunities and a sustainable craft. By supporting this grant, Mariette Pathy Allen challenges herself and the art industry to see Black trans women as more than mere subjects, while forging a new pathway for visual artists within this community to thrive.”

The llluminations Grant is administered through Queer|Art with a rotating panel of judges, each of whom will conduct a studio visit with the winning artist as part of the award’s focus on supporting creative and professional development. Judges for the 2024 grant cycle include M. Lamar, Tourmaline, and jaamil olawale kosoko. Queer|Art staff will also provide the winning artist and finalists with consultations and further access to many of the tools they have developed in conjunction with the organization’s cornerstone creative and professional development program, Queer|Art|Mentorship. 

Qualified artists must be self-identified Black trans women working in visual art and based in the United States. Applications are open until June 30, 2024.

Prospective applicants should review further details at the Queer|Art website.

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