FAQs

Application Process

How long does it take to apply?

The application will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

Can I save my application and come back to it?

No, the application must be filled out in one sitting. We encourage you to prepare your answers before filling out the application form so that it can be completed in one sitting.

What information do you ask for?

Here is a preview of the application form, so you can prepare the necessary answers beforehand. We encourage you to complete your answers in a word processing document before filling out the application.

Project Related

Does my project need to be connected to the work lost or postponed?

No. Your project can be independent of the work that you have lost or has been postponed. It must be something that can be done within 4-6 and within the constraints of physical distancing. 

Taxes and Payment

Is this taxable income?

No, grants from the South Asian Arts Resiliency Fund are not counted as taxable income. Grantees will not submit a W-9 to receive funds.

I do not have a social security number. Am I eligible to apply? 

Successful applicants must submit one of the following in order to receive the grant: social security number, Tax ID number, or an EIN.

I am not a US citizen or permanent resident. Am I eligible to apply?

You do not need to be a US citizen or permanent resident in order to apply. Applicants must have one of the following to apply: social security number, Tax ID number, or an EIN.

If awarded a grant, when will I receive the funds?

Funds will be disbursed within two weeks of the review deadline. 

Eligibility

I was not born in a South Asian country. Am I eligible to apply?

If you are based in the US and of South Asian heritage (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), you are eligible to apply.

I am not based in the US, but travel to the US for work. Am I eligible to apply?

The goal of the Fund is to support artists in the American diaspora. As such, all applicants must have their primary residence in the US in order to apply. Arts workers that are based outside of the US and travel to the US for limited engagements are not eligible to apply.

I am not an artist, but work in the arts for income. Am I eligible to apply?

This grant is not exclusively for artists, but also arts workers that work in the performing arts, film, visual arts, and/or literature. We define arts workers as artists such as musicians, dancers, writers, visual artists, directors, choreographers, playwrights, etc, as well as arts personnel such as technicians (lighting, sound, costume, stage management, production, editing), independent curators / presenters, producers, agents, managers. Arts workers are eligible to apply if they lost income from work in the arts or their supplemental income that allows them to work in the arts as a result of COVID-19 illness and/or implemented physical distancing guidelines.

I am of South Asian descent, but my work in the arts is not connected to South Asian art forms. Am I eligible to apply? 

The art form(s) that you work in do not impact eligibility. 

Selection

How are projects selected?

All applications will be reviewed by a panel of experienced arts workers in the fields of performing arts, film, visual arts, and/or literature as well as members of the ICF Board on the basis of financial need, sustained commitment to working in the arts, and viability of their project. Grant reviewers are ineligible to apply for the grant. 

What is the grant award amount?

Project grants are a minimum of $1000. Grants above $1000 (up to $2000) depend on the applicant’s need and our ability to give.

Timeline

What is the review process?

Because of the anticipated volume of applications and limited funds—and toward funding equity among artists of different disciplines, and backgrounds—applications will be reviewed on a biweekly basis. Arts workers who do not receive funding are invited to re-apply. 

When should I apply?

We encourage you to apply as soon as you are eligible. The fund will continue to award grants so long as funds are available. 

When will I find out about the status of my application? 

If you submitted your application before the review deadline, you will be informed of the status of your application within 7 – 10 days of the deadline. 

Other

Who will have access to my application?

Your application information is viewed only by the selection of review panelists, who follow strict confidentiality regulations in application review. 

What does it mean when the India Center Foundation says “as long as funds are available”? 

ICF has provided funding for grants for the first review period. We are actively working to increase the number of grants through an ongoing crowdfunding campaign as well fundraising from private, corporate, and philanthropic entities and can disburse funds so long as they are available.

How can the funds be used?

Grant funds should be used for the project activities indicated in the application. Grantees must provide an update on their project at the conclusion by the conclusion of their grant period (4-6 weeks). This grant is to support progress towards the development, creation, and presentation of work, not necessarily a final product. 

If I was not awarded the grant, can I reapply? 

Yes you can reapply.

Who do I contact if I have more questions?

If you have additional questions, please email artsfund@theindiacenter.us