Resources

Artists interested in applying for project grants can meet directly with Union staff (on Zoom) to discuss the grant, application materials, or aspects of their project proposal. Feedback sessions are for in-progress applications, not yet submitted through Submittable. Union staff cannot review applications once submitted. Feedback sessions have an open format—the structure of each session is different for each applicant and is based on the questions they have, and support they need within their application.

Follow the link below to register for a time.

*Union staff do not participate in the application jury process. Attending a feedback session does not guarantee funding. Feedback sessions are limited to one per applicant.

SCHEDULE 1-ON-1 SESSION

The goal of this document is to be a resource as you draft your application. You will still need to input responses to questions into the application on Submittable.
**Please make a copy of this document. Once you have made a copy, you will be able to edit and draft responses to questions.

PLAIN-TEXT VERSION OF APPLICATION

See the application scoring system used by the jury.

VIEW APPLICATION SCORING MATRIX

The Union has created a sample budget as an example of possible use of funds for project grants. You can view or download the sample budget at the link below.

(Note: the link provides a "view only" spreadsheet, if you would like to edit and personalize this budget for your project proposal, please download or make your own copy.)

VIEW/DOWNLOAD BUDGET

Populus Fund Project Grants are subject to both state and federal income taxes. Artists are encouraged to consider both this tax expense and any potential cost in paying for tax preparation services. Because tax rates vary by individual, the sample budget provided above does not account for taxes. In that budget, $300 is estimated for the cost of tax preparation services (please remember this is just an estimate). Your project budget may include a line item for both these tax expenses. Please contact a tax advisor for specific recommendations on your personal tax liability.

Need help with filing your taxes or estimating what you will owe? Brass Taxes is a pretty helpful service for artists, freelancers, and other folks who may not have a degree in finance.

Download a sample application submitted by a previous Populus Fund grantee. (Artist names have been removed.)

SAMPLE SOLO APPLICATION

Download a sample group application submitted by a previous Populus Fund grantee collective. (Artist names have been removed.)

SAMPLE GROUP APPLICATION

Creative Capital Curriculum is a professional development tool for artists focused on practical, concrete techniques for writing about, speaking about, and otherwise representing your practice across a variety of professional contexts, including grant applications, artist talks, and social media. Visit the curriculum registration page and sign up for an account! The platform is FREE to all artists/users and all that is needed is an email address to sign up and start accessing the modules.

• Modules within this curriculum include:
• Art, Politics, and the Stakes of Representation
• Self Presentation: Artist Statement + Bio + Resume
• Professional Writing: Project Proposals + Descriptions
• Career Documentation: Work Samples + Archiving
• Practical Administration: Timelines + Budgets + Planning
• Articulating Your Practice: Artist Talks + Elevator Pitches
• Promoting Your Work: Press Releases + Interviews
• Online Presence: Website + Social Media

This resource is provided to us by The Andy Warhol Foundation

Populus Fund is a re-granting initiative organized by The Union, through the generous support of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts in order to support innovative artist projects throughout the region. Populus Fund was founded to provide essential support for projects exemplifying new ways of working in, for, and with the public.

Artists or collectives working outside established institutions can propose experiences, content, materials, activities, performances, platforms, etc. that engage and connect with the community through visual art.

YES! If you received a Populus Fund Emergency Grant in 2020 or 2021, you are definitely eligible to receive a Project Grant in 2026.

Previous Project Grant awardees are only eligible to reapply three years after their project cycle is completed. Please note, when you are eligible to reapply the proposed project must be substantially different from a previously awarded project.

For example: If you received a Populus Fund Project Grant in 2022, you would become eligible to apply for the 2026 grant. If you received a Populus Fund Project Grant in 2023, you would become eligible to apply for the 2027 grant.

Yes, you are eligible and able to reapply with the same (or a new) project idea if not awarded previously. We encourage you to take advantage of our feedback sessions to review and strengthen your application.

Populus Fund has an expansive understanding of the visual arts. If your project has visual arts as a driving force and you can communicate this within your application, you are eligible. This could include visual/multidisciplinary artists who create original work in painting, drawing, sculpture, book art, ceramics, fiber, printmaking, digital/media works, film, video, photography, performance art, sound art, social practice and/or hybrid or interdisciplinary practice of any/all of the above. If you are uncertain, please reach out to our team – populusfund@u-ca.org – to determine your eligibility.

Populus Fund is part of the Regional Re-Granting program funded by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. The Warhol Foundation’s funding priorities are to support visual artists working in partner cities.

This project grant is intended to directly support the creative practice of individual artists and artist collectives. Organizations such as nonprofits are not eligible for funding. LLC and small art businesses may apply with project specific ideas, but are not able to apply for funding for general operations and expenses.

If eligible, you can apply here via the Submittable platform. If you’ve used Submittable before and have an existing account, you will need to enter your login credentials. If it is your first time using Submittable, you will need to create a new account.

Once you’ve completed your application, you should receive a confirmation email from Submittable. If you have any technical issues using Submittable, such as questions related to password retrieval, confirming receipt of applications, or revising submitted applications, please contact support@submittable.com.

If you anticipate a change in your eligibility status during your project implementation timeline, please do not apply. This funding is meant to support independent artists living in our region throughout the duration of the grant support.

Project Grant funds may be used for all aspects of the proposed artistic project including research, materials, collaboration, development, and creation, as outlined in your proposed budget. Awardees may also set aside a portion of the awarded funds for tax purposes.

The Union believes in paying artists. We strongly encourage fair compensation for all artists and collaborators involved in the project. Please reflect this in your proposed project budget, including paying yourself!

No. Applications must be for new projects. Projects that have already happened will not be considered for funding.

The jury will be comprised of 3 individuals from the following categories:

• an artist, arts professional, or community organizer from out of state,
• an arts professional engaged with another Regional Regranting program,
• a previous grantee

Projects will be reviewed by the jury based on the innovative, artistic, and creative strength of the proposed project, as well as the overall articulated vision of the applicant. Jury members will also take into consideration the capacity of the applicant to complete the project within the proposed timeline and budget.

Projects that demonstrate public engagement and/or impact, inclusion, diversity, equity, and access will be prioritized.

We encourage you to look over our scoring matrix. Jurors will use this exact matrix/criteria to evaluate applications.

The information you provide in this application is confidential and may be used to report demographics without identifying information. Demographic information is optional and not required to submit an application. With artist consent, successful applications may be published as a resource for future applicants.

Within the application, you will be asked to share up to five work samples. You can upload these work samples as individual files. You can also share a link to your website or social media account used to share your art, or a publication about your work.

Alongside your work samples, you will be asked to provide a document briefly identifying each work sample with the title, a description, your role, and dates.

Yes, you are eligible as long as you can establish that you are a practicing artist who is making your work publicly available.

Yes. Eligibility is not impacted by prior or current engagements, awards, or programming affiliations with The Union or The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. However, you may not be or have an immediate family member that is on Union staff or board.

Applicants residing in the following 7 counties in Nebraska surrounding Omaha: Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Lancaster, Saunders, Sarpy, Washington.

Because this funding is meant to impact our regional arts + culture communities, a significant part of the project being proposed must occur in and engage with communities living within eligible counties. However, projects that engage communities outside of eligible counties in addition to communities within eligible counties will be considered.

If you are selected as a grant recipient, please include your new address in your email response to the notification, along with your W-9. It is not necessary to contact anyone about a change of address prior to being selected. However, funded artists must live within one of the eligible counties during the application process and for the duration of their project implementation.

The Union will be scheduling 1-on-1 feedback sessions during the time that applications are open. During this time applicants can receive direct feedback regarding their application from a Union staff member.

If you have a question about the application process or your eligibility that has not been answered in resources provided, or need assistance from our team in reading or filling out the application, please email us at populusfund@u-ca.org.

Yes! If you need assistance or access to technology/wifi to complete the online application, please contact us at populusfund@u-ca.org. I f you are in need of technical assistance, please submit a support request directly through their Submitter Help Center or email their support team at support@submittable.com

Yes. If you wish to submit an application on behalf of another person with their consent, you will need to create a Submittable account for them and be sure to fill out the rest of the application with their information. If you are filling out the application for more than one project, you will need to create a unique Submittable account each time.

No. Union staff will not be selecting Project Fund recipients. We will have a short vetting process to ensure our selected awardees meet our eligibility criteria. Awarded projects will be selected by an outside jury of individuals.

Awardees will be notified in mid-August 2026.

Yes. Recipients of the Populus Fund Project Grant will be announced in Late September.

If your application is selected for a grant, you must be able to provide a W-9 and Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and a mailing address at which you can receive a paper check. We will provide grantees with a digital link to complete and sign the W-9 in addition to a grant agreement form.

Yes. Awardees will be sent a 1099 tax form for the $10,000 award. Project budgets can reflect this in their use of funds. Please contact a tax advisor for specific recommendations.

The Union does not offer tax support for grant recipients. While Brass Taxes may serve as an outside resource, we highly recommend that you seek professional guidance from a tax expert regarding the specific implications of your award.

The Union will work with the collective to split up the grant award amongst the artists working together in the collective. We will make every effort to accommodate payment arrangements as needed.

Yes, we will respond to all applicants whether they are selected for funding or not.

We will make every effort to accommodate selected recipients with alternate payment arrangements. If you are selected for a grant, please include your accommodation request in your response.

Funded projects need to be put into action and implemented between the dates of September 2026 and May 2027. This means all projects must be fully in-progress, having made significant steps toward completion, or presentation to the public, by May 2027.

The Union will schedule check-ins with all Populus Fund grant awardees to discuss progress and offer project guidance. The Union will also offer communications support and promotion of funded projects via our channels (social media, etc.). Beyond this, responsibility for the implementation, creation, and completion of all funded projects is held solely by awardees.

The Union cannot be a project partner, collaborator, or venue for the proposed project. The Union’s primary involvement is monetary.