The Joyce Awards

Since 2003, the Joyce Awards have distributed $1.8 million to support the commissioning of new artwork from artists of color in Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Detroit, Milwaukee and Minneapolis/St. Paul. In those ten years, Joyce Award recipients have flourished both nationally and within their communities.

Beginning in 2013, the Joyce Awards program will open its application process, so that any nonprofit organization, not solely art institutions can apply to commission work and create a project with an artist of color. Annually, a minimum of four awards of $50,000 each will be granted.

After 10 successful years, the Joyce Awards are changing the way communities interact with art again. In recognition of the fact that art is happening everywhere, all the time, the Joyce Awards will now support the commissioning of new work from diverse artists no matter where they choose to work—in the gallery, on the stage, in the church, the schoolyard, the prison, the community center.

Read about the 2012 Joyce Award winners.

Goals: To enable new works by artists of color to be created in partnership with a non-profit organization, to expand the repertoire of art that speaks to diverse urban audiences, and to improve the quality of life in communities through artist-led collaboration that engages a broad audience in the experience.

Critera: Fresh artistic approach; deep community engagement; collaborative partnership between artist and organization; excutable plan, realistic schedule and budget; intent to cultivate new ideas.

A 501(c)3 organization and artist of color should apply collaboratively for this award.