Tue 3/12 @ 6-9PM
Back in 2018, the Cleveland Arts Prize (CAP) launched a new program called the (On the) Verge Fellowship to provide a stipend and recognition to early-career, predominantly Black artists in all disciplines “whose work demonstrates exceptional promise and innovation in their respective fields.”
After awarding ten artists in 2018 and another five in 2019, the fellowships took a pandemic-related pause as did all the Cleveland Arts Prize awards. The Verge fellowships are returning this year for the first time since 2019.
The fellows each get an unrestricted grant for $2,000. In addition, they have access to support resources from a range of partners, which could include workspace, exhibition space, mentorship and professional development, among other things.
The latest five artists to receive the fellowships are Shatara Jordan aka Mixxed Rose (poet/musician); TJ Maclin aka Peachcurls (musician), Carol Malone (podcaster), Lo Smith (visual artist), and Aaron Williams (visual artist/entrepreneur).
Past winners have included such prominent figures in the area arts scene as painter Antwoine Washington, multi-disciplinary artist Amanda D. King (both of whom were on the judging panel this year), DJ/entrepreneur Brittany Benton (aka DJ Red-1), vocalist Mariama White, musician Archie Green, photographer McKinley Wiley and the late Stephen Bivens (above) whose black & white film photography continues to be widely circulated and admired in the community.
There will be an awards ceremony to honor the fellows at Karamu House on Tuesday March 12 @ 6-9pm, including a panel discussion and reception. It’s free and open to the public but you must make a reservation here.