Grants – Envisioning Justice

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Over the next three years (2020-2022), Illinois Humanities will commission local artists and humanists to create new work that responds to and grapples with mass incarceration in impacted communities and will develop an interactive digital tool that people throughout the state can use to spark conversation, exploration, and action within their own communities.

Grantmaking is a critical component of Envisioning Justice. Through the Envisioning Justice grants program, Illinois Humanities plans to partner with groups throughout the state to use the arts and humanities to spark statewide conversations about the impact of mass incarceration as well as to envision a truly just society.

ENVISIONING JUSTICE GRANTS will support projects that:

spark dialogue about the impacts of mass incarceration on Illinois communities
offer public programming with a particular focus on the experiences and points of view of system-impacted individuals and communities
aim to shift the narrative around mass incarceration by connecting the arts and humanities with public policy
aid in network-building and nurturing partnerships amongst groups and individuals working to envision and actualize a truly just society.

The three grant categories support work happening at the local, grassroots level in the arts, humanities, and related areas, as well as by policy and other groups that harness the arts and humanities to explore fresh ideas. We look forward to seeing proposals from organizations of any size.

Additionally, Illinois Humanities will commission eight (8) Illinois artists and six (6) Illinois humanists.

ENVISIONING JUSTICE ARTIST & HUMANIST COMMISSIONS support work that:

sparks dialogue about the impacts of mass incarceration on Illinois communities
portrays or otherwise renders visions of a world without prisons
is driven by a particular focus on the experiences and points of view of system-impacted individuals and communities
aims to shift the narrative around mass incarceration by connecting the arts and humanities with public policy
aids in the network-building and partnerships amongst groups and individuals working to envision and actualize a truly just society.

ENVISIONING JUSTICE ARTIST COMMISSIONS

Deadline: December 16, 2020 at 5 PM (Central Time)
Applicants will be notified by February 15, 2021

Amount: $6000

Eligibility: Individual artists of any discipline or genre. While these opportunities are available to all practicing artists and humanists throughout the state, priority will be given to those living and working in seven communities where Envisioning Justice activity is focused: the Bloomington-Normal Metro Area, Carbondale, Decatur, East St. Louis, Galesburg, and Urbana-Champaign (and vicinities).

Purpose: To support Illinois artists in creating new work that responds to the impacts of mass incarceration and helps envision and devise strategies for a truly just society; and to commission an “instructional prompt” based off of this new work for an Envisioning Justice Activation Kit that will promote reflection, conversation, and action from viewers and participants.

Commissioned artistic projects and affiliated instructional prompts should be completed by the end of June 20201. Please bear this in mind when creating your proposal.
Work samples are a significant portion of this application process. When possible, select samples that are relevant to the proposed project.
Commissions are intended for individuals. However, if artists would like to apply with a small, previously established collective or partnership, these will be considered. For-profit businesses are not eligible.
Funds should go toward all necessary materials, supplies, rentals, collaborator fees, and all other costs affiliated with producing the proposed work. Illinois Humanities also requests that artists retain a portion of the funds to pay themselves. (We recommend at least 18% goes toward the artist’s fee.)
Illinois Humanities will not provide technical support or production support for projects, but will offer up to three virtual studio visits or consultations. Additionally, all Commissioned Artists will be required to attend three virtual convenings over the course of the project: an orientation, a mid-point check-in with other Commissioned Artists, and a culminating public event to share/display work.
Examples of commissioned projects might include film/video, photography, writing, music, or interactive media. Commissioned work will primarily be shared in a digital format and should be able to be fully realized in this way. Additionally, portions of work should be shareable in print format (ie: stills from films), as Illinois Humanities will create a printed version of the Envisioning Justice Activation Kit.
Illinois Humanities asks that all Commissioned Artists keep in regular contact with us about their work (so that we can help to promote it), and that they document their work through text, photography, audio, video, or other media so that we might be able to feature it on our website and in social media.

Apply:

The application deadline is 5 PM (Central) on December 16, 2020.
Preview application as a PDF. This PDF is for preview purposes only, please apply using the application link below.
Apply HERE.

ENVISIONING JUSTICE HUMANIST COMMISSIONS

Deadline: December 16, 2020 at 5 PM (Central Time)
Applicants will be notified by February 15, 2021

Amount: $6000

Eligibility: Individuals whose work or projects employ the public humanities or who work within the humanities disciplines. While these opportunities are available to all practicing artists and humanists throughout the state, priority will be given to those living and working in seven communities where Envisioning Justice activity is focused: the Bloomington-Normal Metro Area, Carbondale, Decatur, East St. Louis, Galesburg, and Urbana-Champaign (and vicinities).

Purpose: To support Illinois humanists in generating projects, programs, or work that responds to the impacts of mass incarceration and helps envision and devise strategies for a truly just society; and to commission an “instructional prompt” based off of the commissioned work for an Envisioning Justice Activation Kit that will promote reflection, conversation, and action from viewers and participants.

Commissioned projects and affiliated instructional prompts should be completed by the end of June 2021. Please bear this in mind when creating your proposal.
Work samples are a significant portion of this application process. When possible, select samples that are relevant to the proposed project.
Commissions are intended for individuals. However, if humanists would like to apply with a small, previously established collective or partnership, these will be considered. Nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses are not eligible.
Funds should go toward all necessary materials, supplies, rentals, collaborator fees, and all other costs affiliated with producing the proposed work. Illinois Humanities also requests that humanists retain a portion of the funds to pay themselves. (We recommend at least 18% goes toward the humanist’s fee.)
Illinois Humanities will not provide technical support or production support for projects, but will offer up to three virtual studio visits or consultations. Additionally, all Commissioned Humanists will be required to attend three virtual convenings over the course of the project: an orientation, a mid-point check-in with other Commissioned Humanists, and a culminating public event to share/display work.
Examples of commissioned work might include writing, lectures (recorded on video), documentaries, filmed conversations, oral histories, or other public humanities projects. Commissioned work will primarily be shared in a digital format and should be able to be fully realized in this way. Additionally, portions of work should be shareable in print format (ie: stills from film).
Illinois Humanities asks that all Commissioned Humanists keep in regular contact with us about their work (so that we can help to promote it), and that they document their work through text, photography, audio, video, or other media so that we might be able to feature it on our website and in social media.

Apply:

The application deadline is 5 PM (Central) on December 16, 2020.
Preview application as a PDF. This PDF is for preview purposes only, please apply using the application link below.
Apply HERE.

ENVISIONING JUSTICE PLACE-BASED GRANTS

Deadline: October 15 at 5 PM (Central Time)

Amount: $2,500 – $5000 for non-profit organizations

The Envisioning Justice Place-Based Grants support the creation or expansion of projects in specific communities across Illinois that respond to the impacts of mass incarceration and work to envision a society that is restorative, healing, and just for all. The grants will only be awarded to organizations from or working with communities from the following areas: East St. Louis, Decatur, Carbondale, Galesburg, Urbana-Champaign, and the Bloomington-Normal Metro Area. If you are not located in or around one of these six areas, please apply for an Envisioning Justice Action Grant.

The Envisioning Justice Place-Based Grants support a) humanities- and arts-based projects involving currently or formerly incarcerated people, b) humanities-, arts- and cultural-based organizations working to increase interest, awareness, and concern around the current criminal legal system or to imagine a world without prisons, and/or c) legal, policy and support-services groups that serve the needs of those most impacted by the criminal legal system who want to engage with the arts and humanities to create change.

Guidelines

Applications for Envisioning Justice Place-Based Grants will be accepted May 29 – October 15 (5 PM Central). Applicants will be notified within 6 weeks.
Non-profit organizations can apply for grants up to $5,000. No matching funds are required.
Accessibility Fund: Applicants also can choose to request an additional stipend of $100 for services such as American Sign Language interpretation or captioning to help make events more accessible to everyone.

Eligibility

The grants will be only be awarded to organizations from or working with communities from the following areas: East St. Louis, Decatur, Carbondale, Galesburg, Urbana-Champaign, and the Bloomington-Normal Metro Area.
Applicants for this category include, but are not limited to, humanities, arts, and cultural organizations, community-based organizations, social-service agencies, support-service providers who work with currently and formerly incarcerated individuals, youth media groups, and others.
Organizations must be a non-profit organization with either 501(c)3 status or designated by the State of Illinois. Individuals and for-profit groups are not eligible to apply.
Illinois Humanities asks that all grantees let us know event dates in advance (so that we can help promote them), and document their work through text, photography, audio, video, or other media so that we can feature your work on our website and in social media.

Apply

The application deadline is 5 PM (Central) on October 15.
Preview application as a PDF. This PDF is for preview purposes only, please apply using the application link below.
Apply HERE.

ENVISIONING JUSTICE DIALOGUES

Deadline: October 15 at 5 PM (Central Time)

Amount: $500 for a single dialogue or $1000 for a series of two dialogues for non-profit organizations

The Envisioning Justice Dialogues Grants support community dialogues on mass incarceration in specific communities across Illinois. These grants will only be awarded to organizations from or working with communities from the following areas: East St. Louis, Decatur, Carbondale, Galesburg, Urbana-Champaign, and the Bloomington-Normal Metro Area.

Examples of Envisioning Justice Dialogues include a local library hosting neighborhood residents coming together to discuss the effects of cash bail on low-income communities, or a local social-service agency hosting a discussion about “reentry programming” and the experiences of returning citizens.

Guidelines

Applications for Envisioning Justice Justice Dialogue Grants will be accepted May 29 – October 15 (5 PM Central). Applicants will be notified within 4 weeks (proposed events should not take place until 1 month after deadline).
Non-profit organizations can apply for grants up to $500 for a single dialogue or $1000 for a series of two dialogues. No matching funds are required.
Funds can go toward venue costs, flyers and other outreach, speaker’s honoraria, a facilitator, or other event-related expenses.
Dialogues can use archival material, photography, a film, storytelling, or other materials to help spark or tee-up conversation, however, a community-based discussion needs to be at the center of the program. We’d love to see creative ideas!
Accessibility Fund: Applicants also can choose to request an additional stipend of $100 for features such as American Sign Language interpretation or captioning to help make events more accessible to everyone.

Eligibility

The grants will only be awarded to organizations from or working with communities from the following areas: East St. Louis, Decatur, Carbondale, Galesburg, Urbana-Champaign, and the Bloomington-Normal Metro Area.
Applicants for this category include, but are not limited to, humanities, arts, and cultural organizations, libraries, schools, community-based organizations, social-service agencies, support-service providers who work with currently and formerly incarcerated individuals, youth media groups, and others.
Organizations must be a non-profit organization with either 501(c)3 status or designated by the State of Illinois. Individuals and for-profit groups are not eligible to apply.
All selected grantees will be asked to let Illinois Humanities know event dates in advance (so that we can help promote them), and document their work through text, photography, audio, video, or other media so that we can feature your work on our website and in social media.

Apply

The application deadline is 5 PM (Central) on October 15.
Preview application as a PDF. This PDF is for preview purposes only, please apply using the application link below.
Apply HERE.

ENVISIONING JUSTICE ACTION GRANTS

Deadline: August 15 at 5 PM (Central Time)

Amount: Up to $15,000 for non-profit organizations and up to $5,000 for individuals

The Envisioning Justice Action Grants will support the creation or expansion of projects across Illinois that respond to the impacts of mass incarceration and work to envision a society that is restorative, healing, and just for all. These grants specifically support a) humanists and artists working to increase interest, awareness, and concern regarding the current system and/or working to envision a truly just society; b) legal, policy and support-services groups that serve the needs of those most impacted by the criminal legal system and who want to engage with the arts and humanities to create change; and c) coalition-building at the citywide, regional, or statewide levels among the above groups. Examples of eligible coalition-building and/or network projects include those focused on a) using the arts and humanities to respond to the impacts of mass incarceration or to imagine a more just world, b) making the arts and humanities available to those currently or formerly incarcerated, or c) working to shift the narratives around mass incarceration. Projects can involve convening a number of organizations, hosting a conference or symposium, inviting speakers.

Guidelines

Applications for Envisioning Justice Action Grants will be accepted May 29 – August 15 (5 PM Central). Applicants will be notified within 6 weeks.
Non-profit organizations can apply for grants up to $15,000. Individuals can apply for grants up to $5,000. No matching funds are required.
Accessibility Fund: Applicants also can choose to request an additional stipend of $100 for services such as American Sign Language interpretation or captioning to help make events more accessible to everyone.

Eligibility

Applicants for this category include, but are not limited to, humanists, artists, humanities or arts organizations, policymakers, organizers, journalists, social-service agencies, support-service providers who work with currently and formerly incarcerated individuals, youth media groups, and others.
Organizations must be a non-profit organization with either 501(c)3 status or designated by the State of Illinois. Individuals are also eligible to apply. For-profit groups are not eligible.
Priority will be given to: Initiatives that are regional or statewide in scope, or that focus on communities that are a) the site of a prison or jail, b) include communities that are experiencing significant incarceration, and/or c) that have experienced significant demographic change as a result of the criminal justice system.
All selected grantees will be asked to report to Illinois Humanities on grant-funded activities; provide text, photos, audio, and/or video reporting; let Illinois Humanities know of grant-funded events at least a week in advance; be willing to participate in a survey during the grant period; and to work with Illinois Humanities on evaluation, if requested.

Apply

The application deadline is 5 PM (Central) on August 15.
Preview application as a PDF. This PDF is for preview purposes only, please apply using the application link below.
Apply HERE.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For Grants:

What is the grant application process?

The process is relatively straightforward. Simply submit an application using the form for the Envisioning Justice grant category you are interested in applying for. You will be asked to describes who you are, what you plan to do, how you plan to carry it out, and how support from Illinois Humanities would help make it possible. We encourage you to contact us with questions or ideas well before the stated grant deadlines.

How long will projects be given?

Illinois Humanities is flexible about this. In general, Illinois Humanities grants are paid out in one payment, and are active for one year. However, we are happy to discuss possibilities with you if an extension is required.

Is this a one-time grants program?

These are one-time grants. Illinois Humanities intends to offer Envisioning Justice grants again in 2021, and applicants are welcome to submit additional or repeat proposals again at that time.

Can we apply to more than one of the Envisioning Justice grant categories?

Yes, you can apply to more than one category, however, you will only be awarded one grant. Also, please be sure to pay attention to the geographic requirements for the Envisioning Justice Place-Based Grants and Justice Dialogue Grants. However, organizations from the specific communities for these grants are encouraged to apply for Envisioning Justice Action Grants for larger projects requiring more than $2,500 in funding support.

For Artist and Humanist Commissions:

What is the application process to become a Commissioned Artist or a Commissioned Humanist through Envisioning Justice?

Submit an application that describes who you are, what you plan to do, how you plan to carry it out, and how support from Illinois Humanities would help make it possible. Additionally, submit relevant work samples and other requested materials.

How long will Commissioned Artist and Humanist projects be given to be completed?

Projects and affiliated instructional prompts should be completed by the end of June 2021. Please bear this in mind as you create your proposal.

How will commissioned works be shared or displayed?

Commissioned works will be shared on the Illinois Humanities/Envisioning Justice websites and other platforms, including a digital “Activation Kit” designed to spark reflection, conversation, and action around the injustices and impacts of mass incarceration. Each commissioned work will be accompanied by an instructional prompt that viewers can carry out in order to engage critically and creatively with the conversation around ending mass incarceration. Additionally, commissioned works may be displayed in physical locations throughout Illinois in 2022.

This commission includes a request for the artist or humanist to create an “instructional prompt.” What does this mean and what is it for?

Over the course of the past 3-4 years, Illinois Humanities staff has met with, collaborated with, listened to, and learned from dozens of organizations and thousands of individuals impacted by mass incarceration to understand the strategies, actions, and visions being manifested in local communities that respond to what Illinoisans overwhelmingly agree is a broken and biased system. We’ve been awed by the imagination, resilience, compassion, and courage people are showing to confront deep injustice and to propose strategies toward liberation. It is one of Illinois Humanities’ greatest goals to uplift and share the word and work of our partners, grantees, collaborators, and commissioned artists and humanists so that all can behold the landscape of activity across the state in pursuit of a truly just society for all Illinoisans. It is also our goal to inspire Illinoisans to dig deeper on their own.

The Envisioning Justice Activation Kit, which will be curated and compiled by Illinois Humanities, will be composed of “prompts” created by artists, humanists, and organizers based off of their own projects and practices. Viewers will select a prompt and follow its instructions in order to spark dialogue, reflection, or action around the impacts of mass incarceration and visions of true justice in their own communities. Once completed, participants can upload the results of their experience back to the digital platform so that viewers can see the ripple effect of each instructional prompt.

What can commissioning funds be used to support?

A portion of funds should directly support the Commissioned Artist or Humanist. Remaining funds can support materials, equipment, rentals, collaborator fees, and/or fabrication costs.

How will Commissioned Artists & Humanists be selected?

Illinois Humanities is overseeing this commissioning process, and an advisory committee has been assembled to assess proposals and applications.

What are the humanities?

The humanities are the examination of what it means to be human through the interpretation and discussion of all forms of thought, interest, and expression. Illinois Humanities values traditional humanities disciplines, such as art history, literature, history, and philosophy. However, our emphasis on the public humanities means that we look at the humanities as more than a set of academic disciplines. For us, the public humanities are a mode of inquiry and conversation that aims to engage, support, or challenge the ideas, beliefs, tensions, and prejudices of the communities in which we live. We believe that important thought can and does happen outside the academy — in neighborhood institutions, schools, churches, and at kitchen tables across the country. We are also especially interested in instances of the public humanities that promote civic engagement.

Does your organization have a working definition of the public humanities? Share it with us– we’re eager to explore how others are addressing this complex question.

What do we mean by “humanist”?

By this definition, the term “humanist” refers to applicants with a background in humanities disciplines, whether through professional experience or formal/academic training. More specifically, we are looking for those whose work utilizes humanists methods of inquiry to address questions related to the injustices of mass incarceration. At Illinois Humanities we say that while a scientist is charged with asking, “Is this scientific advancement possible? a humanist’s task is to ask, “Is it a wise pursuit for humankind?” Similarly, Envisioning Justice seeks applicants who see the potential in the public humanities as a forum for exploration, conversation, and active engagement toward a just society, and whose work to date demonstrates a commitment to the humanities as an important component in this pursuit.

If you are interested in learning more about the grants categories, commission opportunities, the type of work that will be funded, and completing an application reach out to Tyreece Williams, Project Manager, Envisioning Justice, at tyreece.williams@ilhumanities.org.

Please sign-up for the Envisioning Justice Digest and the Illinois Humanities newsletter to get the latest updates about Envisioning Justice and our other programs and grant opportunities.

You can see past Envisioning Justice grantee projects here.