Resources #2: raise funding
Goal: raise funding for your art practice.
This is a practical reflection of what we’ve learned about supporting the creation of artwork, rather than “best practices.”
We are not experts. Street Works has no permanent staff or operating budget. Most labor to date has been unfunded, and almost all resources come from unpredictable 1-time grants or in-kind contributions.
This is very common for grassroots, BIPOC-led, and community-based arts projects. There is no easy path, no guarantee, and many of the usual arts funding structures are stacked against BIPOC artists. It is exhausting, uncertain, requires juggling multiple roles, and sometimes risky, especially artists with disabilities.
The only way to keep going is persistence, improvisation, and resilience practices. Funding is never the measure of legitimacy; your practice, relationships, and values-driven creation are what matter most.
Start Small and Tactical
Begin with microgrants or small community grants that fund small projects. Focus on resources that go directly to artists, materials, and space rather than overhead or administrative costs. Each small award demonstrates credibility, covers immediate needs, and supports future opportunities.
Generate Revenue Where You Can
Funding is broader than grants. Look for ways to earn money from your work that align with your values: small workshops, public performances, skill-sharing sessions, sliding-scale ticketed events, merchandise, or collaborative projects with local organizations. Even modest revenue helps cover costs, reduce reliance on grants, and sustain your practice. Approach revenue like an experiment: try small things, see what works, and build gradually.
Leverage In-Kind Support
Partner with local businesses, community centers, libraries, or cultural spaces to access free or low-cost venues, materials, or equipment. Collaborators can contribute labor or skills in exchange for recognition, experience, or networking rather than payment. In-kind support is essential when funding is limited.
Document Everything
Keep records of all projects, funded or unfunded: photos, video, testimonials, reflections, and outputs. Documentation is your track record: it demonstrates rigor and impact to funders, partners, and collaborators, and makes future requests easier to justify.
Align Asks With Capacity and Values
Only pursue funding you can realistically manage. Avoid commitments that would require staff or infrastructure you don’t have. Be transparent: explain that you are volunteer-led, that funds will directly support artists, materials, and participation, and that equity and accessibility guide spending. Your values should shape every financial decision.
Explore Nontraditional Funding Models
Crowdfunding or community-supported campaigns can provide small, immediate resources. Fiscal sponsorship allows you to accept grants or tax-deductible donations without forming a nonprofit. Sliding-scale workshops, pop-up events, or collaborative projects can produce revenue while building community and visibility.
Collaborate
Connect with other POC- and community-led arts projects to share funding opportunities, pool resources, or submit joint applications. Track local and regional arts councils, foundations, and cultural programs—even those that seem out of reach. Join webinars, workshops, and peer learning sessions to identify opportunities and learn from others’ approaches.
