“I think it’s so important to have mentors you identify with,” shares TCN steering committee member Natalia Arbelaez. “BIPOC artists will sometimes be the only ones like them in their community or institution. Having support from someone who has already navigated similar experiences is so valuable.”

With TCN members scattered across the country, the group’s virtual gatherings and online conversations provide creative connection. However, the collective felt that spending time together and making work in person was essential for mentors and mentees. The majority of TCN’s steering committee––which also includes artists Adam Chau, April Felipe, Salvador Jiménez-Flores, and Yinka Orafidiya––had previously participated in residencies at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts. They agreed that the Center’s open-ended program structure and 54-acre campus would provide the ideal place to gather.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Watershed has instituted new campus health and safety measures to accommodate physical and social distancing in accordance with Maine CDC guidelines. These changes result in a decreased number of participants but still allow for eleven artists-in-residence to spend three weeks together on campus. 

Like many art centers, Watershed’s programs are funded through a mix of donor support, grants, and direct fees paid by participants. “All parties agreed that artists should not be deterred from participating in this residency because of financial barriers,” explains Watershed Executive Director Fran Rudoff. “Watershed worked closely with TCN to secure this Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) award from the National Endowment for the Arts to support the residency.”  

GAP awards range from $10,000 to $100,000. In February 2020, National Endowment for the Arts received 1,674 eligible GAP applications requesting more than $82.4 million in FY 2021 support. Approved for funding are 1,073 projects totaling nearly $25 million, with grants recommended to 64% of all applicants and an average grant amount of $23,190.

“The creativity and resilience of artists and arts organizations across the country have inspired Americans during this challenging year,” says Arts Endowment Acting Chairman Ann Eilers. “These projects represent the vitality and perseverance of arts organizations small and large to overcome significant challenges, transform to new ways of engagement, and forge new relationships that benefit the diverse populations in neighborhoods and cities throughout the United States.”

In addition to time spent on studio projects and mentorship work, TCN artists plan to live stream artist talks, demonstrations, interviews, and conversations for their greater community and the public. More information on The Color Network can be found at thecolornetwork.org and information on Watershed’s programs is available at watershedceramics.org

For more information on this National Endowment for the Arts grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news