12x12 ANNUAL ART FUNDRAISER: CALL FOR ARTISTS
The 12x12 Art Fundraiser is OVAC's largest annual fundraising event, raising vital funds to sustain our mission of growing and developing Oklahoma's visual arts community. Participating artists create an original work that conforms to the dimensions of 12 inches by 12 inches (or 12 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches for 3D work).
Artists are selected by the 12x12 Volunteer Committee in the early summer. Artists who sold work during the previous year's event are personally invited back for the following year's event. The number of new artist invitations is determined by the number of artists who sold work last year and who apply to participate again. As 12x12 is OVAC’s largest fundraiser, the selection process is highly competitive. The 12x12 committee strives to represent a diverse range of artists statewide in this exhibition, aligning with OVAC’s mission. The committee is often impressed by a strong digital presence, including an up-to-date artist website, regular social media posts, and participation in OVAC's online gallery.
TIMELINE:
June 5 @ 11:59 PM - Deadline for artists to be considered for this year's 12x12 Art Fundraiser
July 7 - Artists will be notified if they have been accepted to participate.
September 10 - Deadline to drop off artwork
October 3 - 12X12 Art Fundraiser at the Oklahoma City Farmers Public Market
ELIGIBILITY:
Artists must be current residents of Oklahoma and 18 years of age or older. Artists whose work did not sell in 12x12 the previous year must wait at least one year before being considered for invitation again. Please apply with three images that represent the style of work you plan to create for 12x12. One of these images may be the exact piece you wish to exhibit, but it is not required that you have made the piece before submitting. All 12x12 pieces must be original. Students may submit original work, but artwork created as part of a class is ineligible. We strongly encourage those interested in participating in 12x12 to join as OVAC Members. However, this is not a requirement.
OTHER DETAILS:
On the night of the 12x12 Art Fundraiser, ALL minimum bids start at $200, whether it is your first time participating or your 20th time. Bids increase in increments of $25. Throughout the night, any guest may choose to secure your piece by purchasing it for the "Buy-It-Now" price, which will be at least $300 and has no maximum limit.
Artists may choose to donate a portion of their sales to OVAC at 25%, 50%, or 100% of the total sale value. Selected artists will choose their commission preferences when they complete paperwork during artwork drop-off. Artists who donate 100% of the sales proceeds will be invited to a VIP party preceding the main event.
QUESTIONS:
Questions are encouraged! Please contact Ariana@Ovac-Ok.Org or call (405) 879-2400 Ex. 5.
THRIVE! GRANTS: CALL FOR ARTISTS
Oklahoma visual artists are invited to submit an application for a THRIVE! Grant from the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC). THRIVE Grants aim to further support artists’ innovation throughout Oklahoma with project grants of up to $10,000 for artist-led initiatives. These grants provide support for ambitious, impactful, and innovative visual arts projects that are collaborative and engage the community. Projects can occur across the state of Oklahoma and must be open and accessible to the public.
MORE ABOUT THRIVE! GRANTS:
We collaborate with the The Andy Warhol Foundation to further support artists’ innovation throughout Oklahoma with project grants of up to $10,000. THRIVE! Grants build upon our existing dedication to support artist-led initiatives and our belief in the power of artists to create a positive impact in our communities. THRIVE Grants provides funding for collaborative artist-led projects across the state of Oklahoma that are open and accessible to the public. The funded projects are ambitious, impactful, innovative, and community driven visual arts projects. The grants will prioritize artist projects that create new collaborations, connections, and partnerships.
Artists have the option to apply for an Innovator Grant ($5,000) or a Powerhouse Grant ($10,000). We will have recipients within each category. All of the THRIVE! requirements remain the same but the Innovator category will be ideal for individual applicants, smaller teams, and projects that are smaller in scale and budget size. The Powerhouse category will be better suited for projects that are larger in scale, engage multiple collaborators or partners, and/or have larger budgets. If you don't know which category you should apply for, send your inquiry to Ariana@ovac-ok.org, we are happy to answer your questions!
ELIGIBILITY:
The proposed project must have a central focus on the visual arts. Artistic practices firmly rooted in dance, theatre, music, or industry filmmaking are not eligible to apply.
- All events associated with your project must take place in Oklahoma and before the end of the funding period.
- The proposed project must have a central focus on the visual arts. Projects firmly rooted in dance, theater, music, or industry filmmaking are not best suited for this grant.
- The proposed project must be publicly accessible and push the boundaries of the traditional exhibition experience. Be sure to think outside the box and think about how the project will engage your audience.
- For collaborative projects, the individual who submits the project proposal will serve as the Lead Applicant.
- The Lead Applicant and the majority of the collaborators must reside in Oklahoma.
- Artists currently enrolled as a student in an MFA/BFA, or are seeking enrollment in the arts during the award year, are not eligible to apply as a Lead Applicant but are allowed to be a collaborator.
- Successful applicants may re-apply after one calendar year of award receipt but must propose a new project or an expansion of previous work. You will not be disqualified for continuing to grow and develop the visual arts of Oklahoma but please note that preference will be shown to creative projects that have not received funding in the past.
- 501c3 organizations or for-profit businesses are not eligible to apply.
- THRIVE! Grants are intended to support unique artist-led projects rather than ongoing or regular programming at a nonprofit organization or for-profit business. If you believe your project may fall into this category, please contact Ariana@ovac-ok.org before submitting your application.
TIMELINE:
April 1 — Applications Open!
May — Virtual Info Session
May — Individual Office Hours by Appointment
June 1 — Application Deadline at 11:59PM CST
July 31 — THRIVE! Grant Applicants Notified
August 2025 - June 2026 — Grant Funding Period
REQUIRED COMPONENTS:
__Contact Information for Lead Applicant
__Project Title
__Grant request amount: Innovator ($5,000) or Powerhouse ($10,000)
__Project Summary
__Bios for Lead Applicant and collaborators
__Description of audience and community engagement
__Description of desired outcome and importance of funding
__Potential or secured venues for public presentation
__Timeline
__Budget
__Lead Applicant Resume/CV
__Lead Applicant Artist Statement
__Up to 15 images of relevant artwork samples with descriptions or up to 3 URLs for Film/Video
__Artwork image list (file attachment including title, artist name, and descriptions of each sample) *If adding URLs, please indicate which segments of film/video that would be most relevant for the committee to review.
__Sketches or concept drawing (optional)
QUESTIONS:
Questions are encouraged! Please contact Administrative and Artist Relations Manager, Ariana Weir-Temoshok, at Ariana@ovac-ok.org
ACCESSIBILITY:
For accessibility accommodations for completing your application please contact our Administrative and Artists Relations Manager, Ariana Weir-Temoshok at Ariana@ovac-ok.org or 405-879-2400 ext. 5
We can arrange for artists to fill out a paper application, submit their application through email, and work with artists to provide individualized accommodations.
GRANTS FOR ARTISTS: call for applications
The Grants for Artists program fosters Oklahoma’s visual artistic creative excellence. The grants committee supports the mission of OVAC and scores submissions based on the merit of each application according to the pertinent grant category and its associated criteria.Grants for Artists help individual Oklahoma artists create visual art for public presentation, develop their professional practices, and lead community projects.Grants are open to artists working in visual-based mediums, curation, and art writing.
Applications are reviewed three times throughout the year and are due by 11:59 pm on January 15th, or March 15th, or October 15th.
Education Assistance grants fund up to $500 and are for educational opportunities such as: conferences, residencies, studio workshops, or study trips and can includes travel fees. Applications are evaluated by measuring the quality of educational opportunity, potential impact on practice/career, ability to complete project, and relevance based on portfolio.
ELIGIBILITY:
Eligible artists must be 21 years or older, not currently enrolled in a BFA or MFA program, Oklahoma residents, and must not have received grant funding from OVAC within the past year.
APPLICATION COMPONENTS:
__Completed application form below
__Artist Resume or CV
__Artist/Writer/Curator Statement (250 words)
__5-10 Artwork samples or URL for video artwork. For video, include up to 3 minutes total
__Image list, and if applicable, include file name, medium, date, and dimensions
__Timeline identifying major milestones to completion
__Balanced Budget, meaning expenses are equal to income
TIMELINE:
- Applications must be received by January 15th, March 15th, or October 15th
- Committee will review applications following the deadline
- You will be notified of our decision within 4 weeks of the deadline
- Accepted applicants will receive payment approximately 2 weeks after being notified and submitting paperwork
- Grant projects must occur after grant is awarded and within one year of receiving grant funds
QUESTIONS:
Questions are encouraged! Please contact ariana@ovac-ok.org.
GRANTS FOR ARTISTS: call for applications
The Grants for Artists program fosters Oklahoma’s visual artistic creative excellence. The grants committee supports the mission of OVAC and scores submissions based on the merit of each application according to the pertinent grant category and its associated criteria.Grants for Artists help individual Oklahoma artists create visual art for public presentation, develop their professional practices, and lead community projects.Grants are open to artists working in visual-based mediums, curation, and art writing.
Applications are reviewed twice throughout the year and are due by 11:59 pm on October 15th or March 15th.
Creative Projects grants fund up to $1500 and are for creating new work that will culminate in a public event focused on artist’s own work. Applications are evaluated by measuring career altering potential, quality of work, concept, and ability to complete project.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible artists must be 21 years or older, not currently enrolled in a BFA or MFA program, Oklahoma residents, and must not have received grant funding from OVAC within the past year.
APPLICATION COMPONENTS:
__Completed application form below
__Artist Resume/CV
__Artist/Writer/Curator Statement (250 words)
__10-15 Artwork samples or URL for video artwork (work samples can include artwork, sketches or concept drawing, writing samples, documentation of curatorial projects, or other relevant work). Please keep video samples limited to 3-5 minutes)
__Artwork sample list (to identify your images)
__Sketches or concept drawing (optional but encouraged)
__Balanced Budget (income = expenses)
__Timeline identifying major milestones to completion
__Secured or potential venues
TIMELINE
- Applications must be received by March 15th or October 15th
- Committee will review applications following the deadline
- You will be notified of our decision within 4 weeks of the deadline
- Accepted applicants will receive payment approximately 2 weeks after being notified and submitting paperwork
- Grant projects must occur after grant is awarded and within one year of receiving grant funds
QUESTIONS:
Questions are encouraged! Please contact ariana@ovac-ok.org.
GRANTS FOR ARTISTS: call for applications
The Grants for Artists program fosters Oklahoma’s visual artistic creative excellence. The grants committee supports the mission of OVAC and scores submissions based on the merit of each application according to the pertinent grant category and its associated criteria.Grants for Artists help individual Oklahoma artists create visual art for public presentation, develop their professional practices, and lead community projects.Grants are open to artists working in visual-based mediums, curation, and art writing.
Applications are reviewed twice throughout the year and are due by 11:59 pm on October 15th or March 15th.
Community / Artist Partnership grants fund up to $1500 and are for initiating community-based projects leading to artwork creation. Applications are evaluated by measuring quality of work, community impact, concept, and ability to complete project.
ELIGIBILITY:
Eligible artists must be 21 years or older, not currently enrolled in a BFA or MFA program, Oklahoma residents, and must not have received grant funding from OVAC within the past year.
APPLICATIONS COMPONENTS:
__Completed application form below
__Artist Resume/CV
__Artist/Writer/Curator Statement (250 words)
__10-15 Artwork samples or URL for video artwork (work samples can include artwork, sketches or concept drawing, writing samples, documentation of curatorial projects, or other relevant work). Please keep video samples to 3-5 minutes.
__Artwork sample list (to identify your images)
__Sketches or concept drawing (optional but encouraged)
__Balanced Budget (income = expenses)
__Timeline identifying major milestones to completion
__Secured or potential venues
TIMELINE:
- Applications must be received by March 15th or October 15th
- Committee will review applications following the deadline
- You will be notified of our decision within 4 weeks of the deadline
- Accepted applicants will receive payment approximately 2 weeks after being notified and submitting paperwork
- Grant projects must occur after grant is awarded and within one year of receiving grant funds
QUESTIONS:
Questions are encouraged! Please contact ariana@ovac-ok.org.
GRANTS FOR ARTISTS: call for applications
The Grants for Artists program fosters Oklahoma’s visual artistic creative excellence. The grants committee supports the mission of OVAC and scores submissions based on the merit of each application according to the pertinent grant category and its associated criteria.Grants for Artists help individual Oklahoma artists create visual art for public presentation, develop their professional practices, and lead community projects.Grants are open to artists working in visual-based mediums, curation, and art writing.
Applications are reviewed three times throughout the year and are due by 11:59 pm on January 15th, March 15th, or October 15th.
Professional Basics grants fund up to $500 and are for the essentials of an art practice such as quality artwork samples, display/framing, shipping, travel to professional events, website development, etc. Applications are evaluated by measuring the quality of the proposed project, ability to complete project, and relevance based on portfolio.
ELIGIBILITY:
Eligible artists must be 21 years or older, not currently enrolled in a BFA or MFA program, Oklahoma residents, and must not have received grant funding from OVAC within the past year.
APPLICATION COMPONENTS:
__Completed application form below
__Artist Resume or CV
__Artist/Writer/Curator Statement (250 words)
__5-10 Artwork samples or URL for video artwork. For video, include up to 3 minutes total
__Image list, and if applicable, include file name, medium, date, and dimensions
__Timeline identifying major milestones to completion
__Balanced Budget, meaning expenses are equal to income
__Secured or potential venues
TIMELINE:
- Applications must be received by January 15th, March 15th, or October 15th
- Committee will review applications following the deadline
- You will be notified of our decision within 4 weeks of the deadline
- Accepted applicants will receive payment approximately 2 weeks after being notified and submitting paperwork
- Grant projects must occur after grant is awarded and within one year of receiving grant funds
QUESTIONS:
Questions are encouraged! Please contact ariana@ovac-ok.org.
Do you have a large, public project you want to launch, but need some funds to make it happen? A fiscal sponsorship from OVAC allows you to use our 501(c)(3) status to solicit donations giving your donors the benefit of a tax receipt and allows you to apply for grants that require a 501(c)(3) status. After reviewing the FAQ below, reach out to us to see if your project qualifies!
FAQs:
What is fiscal sponsorship?
Fiscal sponsorship allows an individual or group to use OVAC’s 501(c)(3) status to solicit donations, giving the donors the benefit of receiving a tax receipt for their donation as it goes through OVAC. It also allows the individual or group to apply for some grants that require backing from a nonprofit organization.
What is the difference between a grant and fiscal sponsorship?
Fiscal sponsorship is not a funding program. Instead, it enables individual artists and artist-run organizations to use OVAC’s charitable 501(c)(3) status to raise tax-deductible money through grants and individual contributions.
Grants, on the other hand, are monetary awards to individuals.
What kind of projects qualify?
All projects must align with OVAC’s mission of supporting Oklahoma’s visual arts and artists and their power to enrich communities. Fiscal sponsorship is only for a specific project and is not intended to last indefinitely to support an artist’s career. Fiscally sponsored projects must benefit the public in some way. That could include a subject screening, exhibition, performance or talk, exploring an issue, or otherwise offering an opportunity for an underrepresented group of people. Because donations to fiscally sponsored projects are tax-deductible, projects must add value to the public sphere and not only benefit the artist’s private gain.
Can I keep an artist’s fee from the amount fundraised?
Yes, we believe in paying artists for their work! We expect for you to include an artist’s fee in your budget. As a guideline, project managers generally don’t get paid more than 20% of the budget, yet it varies from project to project.
Is there a cost?
All applicants must be a current OVAC member. OVAC retains a 4% administration fee of the funds raised.
Will OVAC fundraise for me?
No, but we will promote your project on social media to help build awareness.
Does OVAC have any creative control over the project?
No. Projects that are fiscally sponsored by OVAC are considered independent contractors and retain their own identity. Project directors retain creative control and ownership of their project/organization.
Do I have to have a US Social Security number or be incorporated in the US to join OVAC Fiscal Sponsorship?
Yes. you must have a social security number or be incorporated as an LLC or corporation in the US.
Do I have to live in Oklahoma?
Yes, you must be a current Oklahoma resident and the public presentation of the project must take place in Oklahoma.
Who decides if my application is accepted?
A committee of OVAC board members carefully reviews each application for mission alignment, quality of the proposal and project, and feasibility of the project.
Can I talk to someone at OVAC before I apply?
Of course! Call us at 405-879-2400 or email Rebecca Kinslow at Director@ovac-ok.org.
Requirements to Apply:
Applications must include the following:
- Project description
- Project budget with both income and expenses
- Resume/CV of key participants
- 10 Work samples (preferably jpegs) or URL for film/video artwork with descriptions
- Artwork sample list
- Letter of support (if applicable)
For questions, contact Rebecca Kinslow at (405) 879-2400 Ex. 4 or Director@ovac-ok.org.