A recent $50k arts award, created in part to “support artists to meet their basic needs in life”, went to an American writer who reportedly earns $200k per year. Jen Graves asks if grant funding decisions really should be income blind.
In December, Artist Trust and the Frye Art Museum announced jointly the 2015 winner of the largest award they give to an artist. It's the James W. Ray Distinguished Artist Award for $50,000, and it went to writer David Shields.
The announcement brought on a spell of cognitive dissonance, which I'll explain.
The $50,000 originates from an unusual source: a five-year gift of $1.1 million from the local Raynier Institute & Foundation to be given to artists through the Frye and Artist Trust (who organize the selection process).
The reason it's unusual is that the Raynier Foundation is a social-services supporter... Keep reading on The Stranger
In December, Artist Trust and the Frye Art Museum announced jointly the 2015 winner of the largest award they give to an artist. It's the James W. Ray Distinguished Artist Award for $50,000, and it went to writer David Shields.
The announcement brought on a spell of cognitive dissonance, which I'll explain.
The $50,000 originates from an unusual source: a five-year gift of $1.1 million from the local Raynier Institute & Foundation to be given to artists through the Frye and Artist Trust (who organize the selection process).
The reason it's unusual is that the Raynier Foundation is a social-services supporter... Keep reading on The Stranger