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futures fund
 
 


Futures Fund is a regranting initiative organized by The Luminary and funded by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts in order to support innovative, experimental and forward-focused artistic projects throughout the St. Louis region. Futures Fund was founded in 2019 to provide essential support to creative projects that exemplify the unique possibilities of St. Louis, deeply engage its past, present and possible futures, and model new ways of working within our region. The fund exists as one of the few opportunities for direct project support for artists in St. Louis.


Futures Fund will open for applications in the Spring of 2025 for grants ranging from $2,500 to $8,000. Funded proposals will take innovative approaches to the urgent questions of our moment; create lasting impact on its intended publics; exemplify equity at all levels; and display originality within the region and nation. In view of both temporary and permanent closures of artist spaces over the last several years and the lack of direct project funding currently available for artists in our region, the Futures Fund is meant to spur communal thinking and experimentation. Key considerations for applications will include: How does this project move the region forward? What distinguishes this project from others happening regionally and nationally? If the project is successful, what impact will it have made on its communities and audiences?

Applications for cycle 6 have closed. View this year’s cohort of grantees and their projects here.


 
 
 

FUTURES FUND INFORMATION

Futures Fund is an annual grant program, now in its sixth year, created and administered by The Luminary as a partner in the Regional Regranting Program of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. The Futures Fund is one of 32 re-granting programs developed and facilitated by organizations in Mobile, Birmingham & York (AL), Albuquerque, Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, Newark, New Orleans, Oklahoma, Omaha, Phoenix & Tucson, Philadelphia, Portland (OR), Portland (ME), Providence (RI), Raleigh & Greensboro (NC), San Francisco, San Juan, (PR), Seattle, and Washington D.C. Together these programs have supported well over 1000 independent art projects in the past ten years, granting more than 4.7 million dollars.

For the 2024 Futures Fund cycle, we are invested in supporting projects based in collaboration that envision more sustainable models of artistic production and accessible modes of engagement. Sustainability can be considered both in terms of the physical environment and towards the welfare of participating artists as well as the communities they inhabit. Accessibility concerns the capacity of work to reach audiences across continuums of disability, geography, education, and taste. Collaborative projects between are highly encouraged; the project lead should identify as a visual artist with a demonstrated practice in visual arts.

The grant application questions are viewable here.

 
 

  • -Projects that are initiated by individual artists and collectives within the St. Louis region

    -Projects that take place within 40 miles of Downtown St. Louis

    -Projects that have a strong visual arts component and visual impact

    -Projects organized and implemented by (but not limited to) visual artists, curators, writers, cultural organizers, collectives, collaboratives, or artist-run collectives

    -Projects that are open and accessible to the public

    -Projects that are innovative to the St. Louis area

  • -Demonstrate a commitment to community-building, education and/or experimentation

    -Respond to contemporary issues of the moment with distinct new models or approaches to arts organizing

    -Have a longstanding impact and visibility for visual arts in the region

    -Prioritize expanding the conversation of arts and criticism within St. Louis, in context with the greater Contemporary Art World.

  • -New artist-driven organizations, institutions, collaborations and spaces for presenting and experiencing art and performance.

    -Visual arts projects that prioritize engagement or collaboration with other cultural practitioners, community members, and organizations.

    -Research projects that center a visual arts inquiry and have a public-facing component, such as a lecture or pedagogical program, attached.

    -Socially-responsive projects such as alternative education projects, microcinemas, mutual aid initiatives and more, wherein visual art is the focal point or vehicle for engagement.

    -Publications and online networks for distribution of artworks, arts writing, and information

    -Public art projects such as murals, outdoor sculptures, or installations with a temporary or permanent physical presence

  • -Projects organized by existing incorporated businesses (includes LLCs, B Corps, state non-profits, 501(c)(3) organizations, and 501(c)(4) organizations), universities or schools (private, public, charter), religious institutions*

    -Projects seeking to get support retroactively or seeking reimbursement

    -Projects that are in support of one individual artist and their solo practice in their studio

    -Projects without a public-facing component

    *Please note: Artist-led projects can be located at otherwise excluded incorporated businesses (see above), but the project must be distinct and separate from that organization’s regular programming. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact the Futures Fund team in advance of applying.

  • Jan 31: Application Opens

    Feb 15th: Info Session (held in person) on-site at The Luminary. 6-8pm.

    March 29th: Application Closes

    April 25th: All applicants notified, 75% of funds disbursed

    May 17th: Public announcement and celebration party

    March 2025: Project review and reflection

    Funded projects must commence between June 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025

 
 
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Important
links

 
 
 
 
 
Frequently
asked questions
 
 

The application process is designed to provide the Futures Fund with the most complete picture possible of the goal, scope, and viability of each project. We encourage open and honest communication between applicants and the Fund.

 
 
 

  • The Luminary invites arts organizers, curators or artists (two local, one out of town), to serve on a review committee. This year’s panelists are Kentaro Kumanomido (Founder and Curator of WildFruit Projects, St. Louis, and past recipient of the fund), Marianne Laury (Curator and Director of Granite City Design District, St. Louis), Mikayla Nicholson (manager of the Collective Power Fund, Seattle, WA). Reflecting a range of valuable perspectives, these panelists will review all of the submitted materials and then convene to discuss the applications. The panelists will then develop a shortlist of projects of possible grantees and then The Luminary will extend final invitations to grantees.

  • We will award a total of up to $60,000 in grants between $2,500 and $8000 each. We expect to award approximately 10-12 grants with an average award of $5000. We strongly recommend asking for the realistic amount needed to fund the project and pay collaborators.

  • We prefer applications that have a strong concept, timeline, and list the people or organizations you might be working with. We are looking for projects that are clear and accomplishable on the timeline presented. All projects must be completed by the end of a calendar year (June 2025). We can accept projects that have already begun or are currently in process. We cannot accept already finished projects that are seeking reimbursement.

  • You can submit multiple applications only if they involve different collaborators or organizations.

  • Applications for the 2024-2025 funding cycle are due on March 29th, 2024, before 11:59 pm. We encourage you to submit your application early, as we will only be available to answer questions until 5 pm the day the application is due.

  • No, there is not an application fee to apply.

  • A check or direct deposit will be made out to the lead applicant, any number of collaborators, or a fiscal sponsor. Anyone who receives funds will be personally responsible for applicable taxes associated with the award. They will be required to fill out a contract and a Form W-9 and will be issued a 1099 to be filed with their annual tax return.

  • Yes, though this season’s regrants will focus on project-based funding, a percentage of the fees may go to support the everyday expenses of the organizers, including rent, fees, and administration in acknowledgement of the ongoing struggles that arts workers face.

  • No, but the artist/lead organizer must have a social security number in order to receive payment of the award. Additional collaborators and/or participants do not need to be U.S. citizens or have social security numbers. Please note the lead applicant must be a full-time St. Louis resident with an address located within 40 miles of the St. Louis city center.

  • Futures Fund is expressly interested in visual art including: public art projects/site specific installations, the publication of writing directly related to the visual arts including printed matter and online publications, artist residencies, film screenings, curatorial projects and exhibitions that highlight unconventional artistic practice, workshops, multimedia, video and photo projects.

  • Yes, so long as the equipment is necessary for the development of your project.

  • Yes, web-based projects are eligible (blogs, podcasts etc..), as long as the content is related to visual art.

  • Recipients will have 1 calendar year from the date of award notification to complete their projects or host the proposed public event.

  • Applicants can be the lead organizer on more than one proposal at any given time, though in this case, only one of their projects will be funded. Alternatively, applicants can be listed as additional collaborators on multiple proposals without affecting their eligibility on projects where they are designated as the lead artist.

  • Recipients will be required to make regular public progress updates to be posted by The Luminary at our discretion on our website, partner websites, social media and more. The frequency of updates will be determined in collaboration with the recipient and the Futures Fund team on a project-by-project basis. A final report detailing the outcomes of the project are due at the end of the granting cycle, and 25% of the award amount will be retained until a final report is submitted.

 
 
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