THE TBD FUND
The TBD Fund is a new fund developed by Sipp Culture as part of the Andy Warhol Foundation’s Regional Regranting Program. The TBD Fund will support Mississippi visual artists in the creation of new public facing projects that aspire to expand Mississippi’s collective narrative, build new audiences, and deepen community discourse. The name TBD is representative of the artistic process, as the most exciting art, at its core, is constantly being determined as it is being created.
Funded activities may include, but are not limited to, new exhibitions, public art, experiences, visual arts publications, online projects, residencies, photography, graphic design, filmmaking, performances and screenings.
- 18 Years old
- Current Mississippi resident (proof of residency verified)
- Artist collectives, experimental groups, collaborations (2 or more artists)
- Individual artists living in Mississippi
- Current students
- Non-profit organizations
- For profit business
- Artists living outside Mississippi
- 5 – 10 awards at two levels ($5000 / $10,000) Year 1
- 7 – 14 awards at two levels ($5000 / $10,000) Year 2
- $5000 award for projects with 1 artist up to 2 artist collaborators
- $10,000 award for projects with more than 2 artist collaborators
- Applicants will be reviewed by an independent panel of artists and creatives living and working in Mississippi and the surrounding states.
Open call duration, award announcement, program events, info sessions, workshops, etc.
Application Period – March 31, 2025 – May 11, 2025
Info/Technical Assistant Call – April 16, 2025
Register for Zoom Call Here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/kRuOD7qASnipAg6XBHTUrg
Application Closes – May 8, 2025
Adjudication Process – May 14, 2025 – May 28, 2025
Final Award Notifications – June 16, 2025
The Regional Regranting Program was established in 2007 to recognize and support the movement of independently organized, public-facing, artist-centered activity that animates local and regional art scenes but that lies beyond the reach of traditional funding sources. The program is administered by non-profit visual art centers across the United States that work in partnership with the Foundation to fund artists’ experimental projects and collaborative undertakings.
2025 Project-Based Grants
The TBD Fund 2025 Grant Cycle will support Mississippi visual artists in the creation of new public facing projects that aspire to expand Mississippi’s collective narrative, build new audiences, and deepen community discourse.
The TBD Fund will distribute grants of $5,000 and $10,000 to Mississippi-based contemporary visual artists and artist collectives, selected by a 3 person jury panel, to use towards the realization of a dynamic and accessible project.
Awarding grants to artists living throughout the breadth of Mississippi will be a high priority in the jurors’ selection process.
The online application open call dates span March 31 through May 11.
Project proposals should endeavor to be innovative and expand the possibilities of how the applicant’s work can engage audiences in Mississippi and the larger contemporary art world. Applicants should consider what visual and social impact their project could have upon local communities, and how it could expand how viewers experience their surroundings or circumstances. Furthermore, applicants are invited to consider infusing their project’s vision with an expansive scope that invites collaborators and/or persons with additional skill sets into the process (to be reflected in the description of the project and budget).
Artists will be asked to submit an application including the following:
- Project title and artist or artist collective bio and headshot
- Short and Full descriptions of the project (Short description: 200 word count maximum / Full description: 1000 word count maximum)
- Description of the project’s audience (to be included in the Full description)
- Proposed timeline (doesn’t have to be confirmed / to be included in the Full description)
- Additional links to websites, image captions
- A budget using our provided template
- Up to 10 files sized to a maximum of 2mb each with a maximum of 2 minutes for video file length.
All applicants must be 18 years of age or older and reside (with a mailing address) in the state of Mississippi.
Project proposals must be submitted by one individual and, if the proposal comes from a Mississippi-based artist collective, the individual submitting the application must be the project’s point person, designated to receive all communications and funding distribution.
A list of Frequently Asked Questions, the link to the online application, dates and locations of virtual and in-person Q&A sessions, and more are posted to this web page.
Who is eligible? Is there an application fee? Do I need to create a free Submittable account to apply?
Individual artists, artist collectives, experimental groups, and collaborations (2 or more artists) of contemporary visual artists who are 18 years of age and older and residing in the state of Mississippi are eligible to apply. Applicants must provide proof of MS residency.
No, there is not an application fee.
How to Submit an application
You will need to create a free Submittable account or sign in with Google or Facebook credentials to submit to these forms.
You can save a draft of your work if you would like to finish filling out the form at a later date.
If anything changes with the information you submitted, please request to edit the submission
The Submittable platform works best on Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Internet Explorer is not supported. Please make sure you are using a supported browser.
You can download Firefox by following the instructions linked here.
You can download Chrome by following the instructions linked here.
Submittable will follow-up with you about your submission by email. Please be sure to whitelist notification emails from Submittable and check the email you used to sign up for your Submittable Account regularly. Check out the Submitter Resource Center or reach out to Submittable’s Customer Support team with any technical questions here.
What is considered to be proof of artistic practice?
Art portfolio website, CV, and other related documentation
What is required for the application?
The submission of a project title, vision statement, long format project description, proposed timeline, proposed materials, audience description, geographic location, physical scale, applicable web links, and other descriptors is required.
Applicants should upload the following to their application: concept renderings, relevant visuals, schematics, or plans. Including numerous support files with a proposal is strongly encouraged.
Applicants may submit up to 10 files sized to a maximum of 2mb each with a maximum of 2 minutes for video file length. 2D, 3D, and 4D work (or a combination) will be considered. Applicants should keep in mind that the grant amount and proposed budget should both total $5,000 or $10,000, based on the size of the collective.
How much is each grant award and how many will be awarded?
The TBD Fund will award a total of $50,000 in the form of grants, ranging between $5000 & $10,000 each to Mississippi-based artists.
Can applicants submit multiple individual projects?
No, applicants may not submit multiple individual projects.
How may applicants use the funds? What are the budget categories?
The award should be used to achieve all enumerated project goals as outlined in the applicant’s proposed budget. The budget categories are materials, fabrication, media, photo and video documentation, artist labor or compensation, contracted labor, transportation, advertising, other services, and other expenses. It is not necessary to address every category in your project proposal – only what is applicable to the project.
Can applicants pay artist fees or stipends with grant funds? Can applicants purchase equipment with grant funds?
Yes, we expect you to pay the people involved in your project, including yourself, for their contributions. Yes, as long as the equipment is necessary for the development of your project.
What are the reporting requirements for the grant?
Recipients will be required to send along regular progress updates to Sipp Culture to be posted at our discretion on our website, social media, and more. The frequency of updates will be determined in collaboration with the recipient and Sipp Culture on a project-by-project basis. A final report detailing the outcomes of the project is due at the end of the project period. 80% will be distributed at the outset of the award. The final 20% of the award amount will be retained until a final report is submitted.
Can I apply with a project that is in process or completed?
No, we are looking for new projects that can be accomplished within the given timeline. All projects must be completed by May 31, 2025. We cannot accept projects that have already begun or are currently in process. We cannot accept already finished projects that are seeking reimbursement.
What does public-facing mean?
A public-facing project is one that actively engages an audience (anticipates an audience) and is accessible to the public.
Can artist collectives apply? Can curators apply?
Yes, Mississippi-based artist collectives may apply. Please keep in mind that all project proposals must be submitted by one individual and, if the proposal comes from a Mississippi-based artist collective, the individual submitting the application must be the project’s point person, designated to receive all communications and funding distribution.
No, curators may not apply. Current Art Fund grants are intended for artists to support their own practices/ studio work.
Who selects the grantees?
