Leeway Foundation Announces Fall 2016 Art and Change Grantees
26 women and trans artists and cultural producers receive project-based grants to further social change in the Delaware Valley
PHILADELPHIA – Today, the Leeway Foundation announced $54,975 in grants to 26 women and trans* artists and cultural producers in Greater Philadelphia, supporting their work to address a range of social change issues.
Leeway’s Art and Change Grant provides project-based funds of up to $2,500 to women and trans artists and cultural producers who: propose a project that impacts a larger group, audience or community; have financial need; and live in the Delaware Valley area. The grant supports artists practicing a variety of disciplines including performance, crafts and textiles, and visual arts.
The following 26 artists were awarded grants (in alphabetical order):
Anne Harrison of South Philadelphia and Linda Fernandez of West Philadelphia, Multi-Disciplinary
Betty Leacraft of North Philadelphia, Crafts & Textiles/Visual Arts
Chet Pancake of Cedar Park, Media Arts/Music
Courtney Bowles of Kingsessing, Multi-Disciplinary
Cynthia Dewi Oka of Collingswood, Literary Arts/Performance
Debbie Rudman of Kensington, Media Arts
Dena Underwood of Italian Market, Music/Performance
Diane Monroe of East Norriton, Music/Performance
Emily Bunker of Fishtown, Media Arts/Crafts & Textiles
Jai Arun Ravine of West Philadelphia and Coda Wei of Upper Darby, Media Arts/Performance
JD Stokely of West Philadelphia, Performance
Kay Wood of Mount Airy, Media Arts
Lauren Vargas of Hunting Park, Visual Arts
Li Sumpter of Abington, Multi-Disciplinary
Mayada of Northeast Philadelphia, Visual Arts/Folk Art
Nanci Hersh of New Garden, Visual Arts/Literary Arts
Pia Deas of Art Museum, Media Arts
Romeeka Williams of North Philadelphia, Literary Arts
Shivon Pearl Love of Brewerytown and Khaliah Pitts of East Mount Airy, Folk Art/Literary Arts
Tessa of Southwest Philadelphia, Visual Arts/Media Arts
Yasmine Awais of West Powelton and K.C. Wuebbling of Cedar Park, Visual Arts/Literary Arts,
Art and Change Grants are distributed twice a year and evaluated by an independent peer review panel. The August 2016 review panel consisted of playwright and devised theater maker MJ Kaufman (ACG ‘13), educator and community organizer Rochelle Nichols-Solomon, and folklorist and curator Selina Morales.
Applications are made available on the Leeway website, and may also be obtained by calling (215) 545-4078 or emailing info@leeway.org. Potential applicants are encouraged to attend one of the many support sessions offered throughout the year, or schedule an appointment with a staff member for one-on-one support.
Press inquiries and photo requests should be directed to Denise Beek at (215) 545-4078, ext. 14 or dbeek@leeway.org.
*We use the term “trans” in its most inclusive sense, as an umbrella term encompassing transsexual, transgender, genderqueer, Two-Spirit people, and more generally, anyone whose gender identity or gender expression is nonconforming and/or different from their gender assigned at birth.
ABOUT LEEWAY
The Leeway Foundation supports women and transgender artists and cultural producers working in communities at the intersection of art, culture, and social change. Through our grantmaking and other programs we promote artistic expression that amplifies the voices of those on the margins, promotes sustainable and healthy communities, and works in the service of movements for economic and social justice. For more information about Leeway, its grant programs, grantees and events, visit www.leeway.org.
Download Fall 2016 Press Release, Project Descriptions, and Panelist Bios
