The Trellis Art Fund Makes Artistic Dreams Come True with $20,000 Stepping Stone Grants
The Trellis Art Fund, a New York-based nonprofit established in February 2024 with a generous $15.8 million endowment, is making waves in the art world with its latest initiative. Introducing the Stepping Stone grants, a groundbreaking annual program worth a total of $420,000, Trellis is set to provide twenty-one individual artists with unrestricted awards of $20,000 each. This new endeavor follows the successful launch of the fund’s original $100,000 grants, now known as the Milestone grants, which are bestowed upon a dozen artists each year.
The brainchild behind this innovative move is Corina Larkin, the executive director of Trellis, who expressed the organization’s commitment to supporting emerging talents in the art community. Larkin noted that the decision to introduce the Stepping Stone grants stemmed from the overwhelming need for financial assistance among artists, as highlighted during the selection process for the Milestone grants earlier this year.
Empowering Artists to Soar
The primary goal of both the Stepping Stone and Milestone grants is to empower artists to pursue their creative endeavors and further their careers. While Stepping Stone recipients will engage with Trellis for a year, Milestone awardees receive funding and professional development support for a two-year period, including an exclusive retreat experience. Notably, Trellis has expanded its definition of caregivers to include individuals caring for children, seniors, and other family members in need, ensuring inclusivity and support for a diverse range of artists.
Meet the 2024 Stepping Stone Grantees
A diverse group of artists, spanning ten US states and fifteen cities, have been selected as the 2024 Stepping Stone grantees. From Santurce, PR to San Francisco, these talented individuals, ranging in age from thirty-four to seventy-three, represent a rich tapestry of artistic vision and creativity. Among the notable recipients are Suzanne Bocanegra from New York, Jamal Cyrus from Houston, and Guadalupe Rosales from Los Angeles, each poised to make a significant impact in the art world with the support of Trellis.
As the art community eagerly anticipates the transformative work that will emerge from the Stepping Stone grants, Trellis continues to champion individual artists and nurture their artistic growth. With a steadfast commitment to fostering creativity and innovation, the Trellis Art Fund stands at the forefront of empowering artists to soar to new heights of artistic excellence and achievement.
