Over two dozen local artists have received grants from the latest round of the Artists 360 program.
The funding initiative, which was originally set to expire last year, was renewed for another three years, and expanded to include additional grants.
The program began in 2018 as a three-year pilot that ultimately provided $342,000 in grants to 60 artists of all disciplines.
Just like during the pilot program, 20 artists will be chosen each year for grants. Practicing professional artists who are chosen will receive $7,500, while student artists will be awarded a $1,500 grant.
Two additional categories debuted this year, including Community Activator Grants that provide $15,000 awards to four artists or artist-led collectives annually, and the Creative Impact Award which gives $25,000 annually to an individual artist in the region.
In total, this new iteration includes $600,000 in funding.
Fourteen people received project grants in the amount of $7,500, including:
- Renata Cassiano Alvarez of Springdale
- Jane Blunschi of Fayetteville
- Connor Brogan of Fayetteville
- Robin Bruce of Fayetteville
- Willi Carlisle of Prairie Grove
- Kinya Christian of Springdale
- Michael Day of Rogers
- Sean Fitzgibbon of Fayetteville
- Jasper Logan of Fayetteville
- Nikola Radan of Fayetteville
- Megha Rao of Bentonville
- Michael Schultz of West Fork
- Victor Alexander Verlage of Bentonville
- Blake Worthey of Bentonville
Six student artists received $1,500 grants, including:
- James Eaton IV of Fort Smith
- Brenda Hernandez of Lowell
- Karstin Johnson of Fayetteville
- Sarah Loucks of Fayetteville
- Junli Song of Fayetteville
- Markeith Woods of Fayetteville
Community Activator grants of $15,000 each went to five artists, including:
- James Benham of Rogers
- Amos Cochran of Van Buren
- Airic Hughes of Fayetteville
- Araceli Lopez of Springdale
- Lia Uribe of Fayetteville
The program’s inaugural Creative Impact grant of $25,000 will be awarded later this month, according to a news release.
