2021 Anne McKee Artists Fund grant application period is now open

Area artists who wish to apply for a 2021 Anne McKee Artists Fund grant have from March 1 until 5:00 PM, March 31 to apply at www.mckeefund.org.

Each year the McKee Fund awards individual grants in amounts of up to $2,000 to assist both established and emerging Florida Keys-based visual, performance, and literary artists with creative projects. Founded by longtime Key West resident and art patron Anne McKee, since its inception in 1994 the not-for-profit organization has awarded more than $330,000 in grants, which are awarded on the basis of financial need and/or to promote recognition of emerging talent.

Each year’s grant monies are raised through the annual Anne McKee Fine Art Auction, whose proceeds are split 50/50 between each contributing artist and the Fund. According to McKee Fund board president Kalo Clarke, this year’s grants are possible due to the exceptional response to the February 2021 auction, which was held entirely online due to COVID-19. “The Anne McKee Fund is grateful to all the artists and art collectors who supported this year’s fully online auction, as without them we could not continue our “Artists helping Artists” tradition that is now in its 26th year,” she said.

Local students and young adults are eligible to receive grants that can assist in the   development of their talents in the arts. Youth scholarships are available for 14 years and younger, and 14 years and older.  The Jon McIntosh Student Grant for Artistic Advancement, named for lifelong Key West artist and mentor of new artists, Jon McIntosh, is specifically awarded to a high school student to advance their creativity.

The “Environmental Award” is a unique onetime project-based grant earmarked by a donation courtesy of Royal Caribbean International. This grant supports artists doing innovative work with repurposed recycled materials and/or a project with an environmental focus.

Applications and more detailed information are available as of March 1, 2021 at  www.MckeeFund.org.  Completed applications must be submitted no later than midnight EST on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Grant recipients will be notified of their application status on or before April 14, 2021.

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