The Pittsburgh Foundation

Exposure Artists Program

LeFawn Barefoot, a multidisciplinary artist, puts the finishing touches on her latest pieces. Her current body of work is centered on ancestor veneration, snake medicine, mindfulness, and release. Photo by Kitoko Chargois.
LeFawn Barefoot, a multidisciplinary artist, puts the finishing touches on her latest pieces. Her current body of work is centered on ancestor veneration, snake medicine, mindfulness, and release. Photo by Kitoko Chargois.

Sponsored by The Pittsburgh Foundation and Opportunity Fund, the Exposure Artists Program is guided by a shared belief in the need to support creative practice, to cultivate and fund diversity, and to advocate for racial justice in the arts community.

Exposure aims to elevate the work of artists through activities that create/generate/enhance visibility for the creative process, artwork and societal issues of our time.

An information session will provide prospective applicants an overview of the program, further explain eligibility criteria, and answer any questions that organizations have about the application process or program guidelines.

The application submission period is closed. Please check back later for 2023 guidelines. For questions, please call 412-394-2654 or email arts [at] pghfdn.org.

 


FUNDING STREAMS

Applicants may apply one of the following funding streams per year. Read full program guidelines for more details.

  • Individual artists and collectives (up to seven grants):
    • Individual artists - Two-year grants of up to $20,000 (up to $10,000 each year for up to two years).
    • Collectives - Two-year grants of up to $30,000 (up to $15,000 each year for up to two years).
  • Transformative justice (minimum of three grants):
    • Individual artists - Two-year grants of up to $20,000 (up to $10,000 each year for up to two years).
    • Collectives - Two-year grants of up to $30,000 (up to $15,000 each year for up to two years).
  • First-time grantees (total of three, one-year grants up to $5,000)

ELIGIBILITY

  • At least 18 years of age.
  • Resident of Allegheny County. Collectives must be located within Allegheny County.
  • Prospective applicants may apply to only one (1) funding stream per year.
  • Attend an information session prior to applying.
    Information sessions have already taken place for 2021 grant cycle. If you weren't able to attend, please check back in 2022 for next funding opportunity.

For collectives: Members of a collective may also be eligible to apply as an individual artist. One collective may only submit one application as a collective.

For transformative justice applicants: Individuals and collectives identifying as BIPOC may apply.


ABOUT THE AWARDEES

In February of 2022, the first round of grants was announced, totaling $215,000. The 12 awards provide grants for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) artists working at the intersection of art and activism, and to artists who have never received any foundation funding before.  

Learn about Exposure awardees

QUESTIONS?

Please check out our Exposure FAQs. If you have additional questions, please email us at arts [at] pghfdn.org.