EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BURNING MAN ART GRANTS
(but were afraid to ask)
Every year Burning Man issues a small number of grants for the purpose of partially funding specific art projects. These grants are awarded primarily for interactive art that is based on our annual art theme, although a portion of our grant budget is given to non-theme art. We look for work that stands on its own as physical, sculptural installation independent of performances or activities, although these may accompany the installation. We do not fund activities or performances. We do not fund domes, tents, teepees or stages and ask that if your project must be contained in a structure, it be handmade and related to its contents. We do not fund mutant vehicles, but we sometimes fund mobile art - sculptures that move and do not resemble a car. We do not fund theme camps. Have you previously attended Burning Man, and are you aware of the difficulties inherent in creating anything in a harsh wilderness setting, with unpredictable weather, high winds and lots of playa dust? It’s helpful if you know what you’re getting into. For this reason, we recommend that you attend once before applying for funding. Please visit:
First Timers Guide
Art Installations
Art Guidelines
Here are some answers to a few frequent questions:
How many grants are awarded?
Very few. Burning Man is not the NEA and we possess no endowment. Nearly all of the art you will witness at Burning Man is entirely paid for by participants themselves. Most proposals submitted to us will not receive funding.
When may I apply for a grant?
The deadline for emailed 2009 grant proposals is February 1, end of day. No exceptions. We much prefer that you email your proposal, but if you cannot, whatever you mail to us must be postmarked by February 1, 12:00 AM. (Last chance to mail it is January 31).
When will I know if I've been awarded a grant?
Most final decisions will be made no later than March 1, and you will be notified early in March.
Should I be awarded a grant, how much will I receive?
This varies with particular projects. However, grants normally pay for only a portion of production costs. We pay for material costs, but not for time/labor. Artists should be ready to seek out and show proof of other methods and sources of funding. As a matter of policy, we also prefer that you develop various kinds of non-monetary resources. We believe that such an effort on your part encourages collaboration and cooperation within our extended community.
How much money should I ask for?
Our annual budget for playa art is $500,000. We typically fund 30-40 art projects. Grants over $20,000 are rare. If you have a project over that amount, you should contact us well before the deadline - preferably before January 1 - to see if your project is of interest to us. If you apply on the day of the deadline with a hugely expensive project, we cannot assume that if we partially fund it, you'll be able to fundraise the rest of the money on your own - nor would we assume that you could do a greatly reduced version of the project. At that point we do not have time to go back to you to work out a smaller project. If you are looking for partial funding YOU MUST TELL US THAT. Specify the amount. For example : tell us that your project will cost 50K but that you're asking us for 10K, and that you'll fundraise the balance. Another option is to give us a sliding scale budget. For example, a small, medium and large version of your project at corresponding prices.
When and how will I receive money?
This will also vary with particular projects. A separate schedule of payment is developed for each artist. The money you receive is taxable and requires a 1099 tax form that we will provide you. You will also be asked to sign a contract.
What are your criteria for awarding grants?
Whether we like it.
Interactivity with people and the environment. Interactive art is our particular obsession. Interactive work convenes society around itself. It generates roles. It provokes actions. It directs attention to the surrounding world. It transforms participants into active contributors to your creative process. It transcends the static conception of an art object that is contemplated by a detached audience.
Interaction may be achieved in variety of ways. Sometimes, the mere act of encounter is sufficient, as in the case of work spread out within a special field of space participants explore. Artwork may impart a gift or token. Likewise, works may be designed to receive something from people. Works may be activated by participants or by forces of nature, or they may function as social environments. Interactive artworks may also be made mobile, bringing an experience to passersby. Many times, when art is placed within the intensely interactive environment of Black Rock City, participants will invent unexpected forms of interaction, and you should be prepared for this.
There will always be a place and time within the sphere of art for the perfect object-- something so astonishing in itself that the simple act of contemplation is reward enough-- and this, in a way, defines the essential nature and value of art. However, with planning, we have found nearly any form of conventional art can be engendered with an interactive aspect.
The thoroughness of your proposal.
What other benefits or help can I receive from Burning Man?
Aside from the essential spiritual satisfaction gained from creating your work, as well as showing it and sharing it with thousands of very enthusiastic people, Burning Man can also furnish you with other opportunities. We are willing to provide you with support materials if you wish to approach outside agencies or suppliers for assistance. All installations, funded or not, will be featured on our website and in our Black Rock City gate handout, the What Where When.
Be sure to photograph your work!!! At the event, hundreds of photographers, amateur and professional, may also photograph your work. These appear in our Image Gallery and in the art listings on our website. Burning Man is also covered by an international array of media. It is the mission of our art department and our staff at Media Mecca to connect these journalists with artists.
Burning Man is also a fertile meeting ground for artists and patrons of the arts. Although vending is strictly disallowed at the event, artists at Burning Man are free to encounter potential clients for their work in an environment free of agents, dealers or any of the other professional intermediaries who are normally interpose themselves in the creative process. Burning Man is a radically unmediated environment and can yield unique opportunities.
While on the playa, our volunteer staff will assist you in placing your art at its assigned location. Although we prefer that you remain completely self-sufficient, our Artists' Support Services team can assist you with heavy equipment if needed. All requests for this support should be included in your proposal.
If you are interested in applying for a grant, please continue on to the guidelines.
