Art has unfortunately become a bit of a problematic area in the world of Manhattan, as many artists have found it difficult to make their name in an industry that is deemed less glamorous than their entertainment counterparts of sorts. The Hell’s Kitchen Foundation wants to reverse that sort of thinking, especially during the holiday times, as many of their artists are offering one of a kind works of arts as a great gift idea for your loved one to receive.
The Hell’s Kitchen Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, awards grants to visual artists living in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. The Foundation is the designated community sponsor of Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market and is rooted in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood and New York City’s art and civic-minded communities. Its board is all volunteer, and the foundation has no paid staff.
Several of its fantastic artists, such as Jessica Maffia, Jill Slaymaker, Janet Restino and more have created this one of a kind artworks which are individually gorgeous, colorful and really exemplify what it means to be a true artist in 2017.
Janet, for example, is a 2017 Hell’s Kitchen Foundation winner who has expertly created some wonderful holiday cards that are left blank inside for you to design. You can contact her via email here: [email protected].
The Hell’s Kitchen Foundation also announced a call for applications for its next round of visual arts grants, to be awarded early in 2018. All local visual artists who live and work in Hell’s Kitchen are encouraged to apply. Established by Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market founder Alan Boss, the Foundation grants ranging from $500 – $5000 are awarded annually to provide financial assistance to Hell’s Kitchen’s resident visual artists. In reviewing grant applications, the Foundation seeks out new and under-recognized neighborhood artists.
“These awards are a natural extension of our mission in this neighborhood to recognize and preserve the historical significance of the Hell’s Kitchen artist community,” said Foundation Chair Inge Ivchenko. “We know that living and working as an artist in New York City is increasingly difficult because of the rising cost of living and it is very moving to meet these artists and learn how dedicated they are to making their art. It is an honor to support them.”
Grant-winning artists will also be offered exhibition space at the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market to introduce neighbors and New Yorkers to their work.
To qualify for consideration, artists must be actively engaged in creating visual art as defined in the application form and have their sole residence located within an area bounded by West 57th Street to the north, West 34th Street to the south, Twelfth Avenue to the west, and Eight Avenue to the east. Specific guidelines and applications are available on Hell’s Kitchen Foundation’s website. The application can be submitted by mail or electronically. The deadline for this year’s applications will be Dec. 31. 2017.