Underscore
Winter 2023/2024 Cycle Recipient
The Open Fund Artist Project Grant supports visual artist initiatives that are experimental, collaborative, and public-oriented. This includes wide-reaching and innovative projects that are unique to communities and the culture at large. Examples of past recipients include the presentation of creative and experimental work via film screenings, exhibition series, pop-up presentations, printed matter, educational models, and civic sites, in addition to other inventive models of artistic engagements.
Photos by Michael Lagerman
Winter 2023/2024 Cycle Recipient
Photo by Grant Gill
Some Fools: 2024-2025 Grassroots Curatorial Initiative
Winter 2023/2024 Cycle Recipient
Yours Truly Midwest Disability Arts Series
Winter 2023/2024 Cycle Recipient
What We Fund
- Projects that have a publicly accessible component
- Projects could include exhibitions or installations held in temporary spaces, new publications, a series of events or performances, digital initiatives, public art projects, and other activities that are related to the visual arts
- Priority is given to collaborative projects
What We Do Not Fund
- An individual artist presenting exclusively their own work
- Projects that are part of the programming of a 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization
- Projects at a commercial gallery or by businesses
- Projects that do not offer an opportunity for free public engagement
- Projects with the primary focus on film or video production, marketing or distribution.
See more information on our eligibility page!
- Projects that have a publicly accessible component
- Projects could include exhibitions or installations held in temporary spaces, new publications, a series of events or performances, digital initiatives, public art projects, and other activities that are related to the visual arts
- Priority is given to collaborative projects
What We Do Not Fund
- An individual artist presenting exclusively their own work
- Projects that are part of the programming of a 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization
- Projects at a commercial gallery or by businesses
- Projects that do not offer an opportunity for free public engagement
- Projects with the primary focus on film or video production, marketing or distribution.
See more information on our eligibility page!
Molly Hassler’s In My Chest
Spring 2022 Cycle Recipient
Winter 2023/2024 Cycle Recipient
The Poor Farm, 2020
The Open Fund is administered by two Wisconsin artist-run spaces, The Poor Farm and The Open. In 2024, the Open Fund distributed $120,000 to 14 Visual Arts Projects providing both $5,000 and $10,000 grants to visual artists or artist groups living within the Milwaukee County.
Grantees are selected from a field of eligible applications through a jury system. We encourage applications from underrepresented communities, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ artists, and artists with disabilities.
In 2025 with support from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Regional Re-granting Program and the Ruth Foundation for the Arts, we are pleased to announce funding eligibility will expand to artists throughout the entire state of Wisconsin.
Usable Space
Spring 2022 Cycle Recipient