How to get & give help in 2021 for Birmingham creatives, including grants
Reading time: 4 minutes
The past year has been a devastating blow for many Birmingham creatives as theaters closed, shows were cancelled and art was put on hold. As we trudge into the next month of the pandemic, find out how you can keep your creativity afloat and how others can support you.
Getting Help
Apply for Local and Statewide Grants
- The Verdant Fund: This collaborative grant by Alabama arts organizations, including Space One Eleven, provided $76,000 to state artists in 2020. Now, applications will soon open for a series of 2021 grant funding—apply here.
- Alabama State Council on the Arts Individual grants: The Alabama State Council on the Arts has several applications for grants, apprentices and projects with deadlines in March. Read more about each grant and learn how to apply here.
- Alabama Contemporary Art Center Quarantine Resources for Artists: You can find a long list of opportunities for funding here. While some of the deadlines have passed, others are still open or have no deadline at all. Follow their website for updates and learn more about open applications from:
Participate in free informational sessions offering advice & support
- Create Birmingham’s Office Hours: These 45-minute virtual sessions provide a one-on-one consultation to artists, small business owners and all creatives alike. Reserve your spot.
- Conversations with Creatives: Who knows your struggle better than other local creatives? In this series, hear stories and become inspired by fellow artists. Listen to past conversations here.
- BHM Artist Collective: Looking for a place to contribute your art? This group of local artists meets up to fill blank spaces around the city and creates a community of creativity. Learn more and find out how to get involved.
Giving Help
Buy a limited edition shirt to support the Lyric and Alabama Theatres
After being closed since March 2020, the Alabama Theatre planned to reopen for the first time in months for their annual Holiday Film Series. Due to the rising cases of COVID-19, they were quickly forced to cancel the events leaving the theatre in need of more help than ever.
Spearheaded by Wheelhouse Salon, local businesses like Chocolata, Basic, the Pizitz and The Atomic Lounge teamed up to design a one-of-a-kind shirt. All proceeds go toward keeping the doors open at the Alabama Theatre.
Shop safely from your home at a local makers virtual market place
Since we aren’t able to go out and browse leisurely in the same ways we used to, local makers don’t receive the same support as years’ past.
The Create Market allows you to shop from small Birmingham businesses completely online. The best part is 100% of the proceeds from your purchases go directly to the vendors.
Another virtual initiative to know about is led by REV Birmingham. The in-person Woodlawn Street Market is finished for the season, but you can still shop online from local artists, creators and more.
Support through social media
You don’t always have to spend money to support creatives. Reposting their work to your Instagram story, following artists and makers on social media and tagging them in posts or even sharing stories like these are 100% free ways to help Birmingham artists.
Do you know of more ways to help Birmingham creatives? Share them with us on social at @BhamNow on Facebook and Instagram, or @Now_Bham on Twitter.
