Appalachian Futurism: Queer Arts Liberation Fund

In March of 2023, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed into law a ban on Drag performances, censoring the free creative expression of queer artists.  This law was quickly replicated across the country adding to a hostile legislative agenda that adversely impacts the LGBTQIA2S+ community.  In March of the same year, the Memphis-based nonprofit, Friends of George’s, who produces drag performances and comedy sketches, sued to stop the law from going into effect and, in June, a federal judge found the law to be unconstitutional, ensuring the free expression of drag and queer artists.

In light of the prevailing political landscape, which, unfortunately, includes the targeted censorship and hostility towards Drag and Queer art and individuals, we felt compelled to provide our community with much-needed support in these challenging times through our Appalachian Futurism: Queer Arts Liberation Fund.  With seed funding from The Ford Foundation, we are thrilled to announce the launch of the Appalachian Futurism: Queer Arts Liberation Fund's inaugural round – providing one-year project grants in the amount of $5,000 to LGBTQIA2S+ individual artists, organizations, and/ or cultural workers in the Central Appalachian region to create projects that support and impact the LGBTQIA2S+ communities that have been historically underserved. 

The Queer Arts Liberation Fund welcomes applications from LGBTQIA2S+ individual artists; cultural workers; organizations; and groups living in, working in, and/ or have a demonstrated commitment to Appalachia.  Our mission is to empower and support the vibrant creative expression of individuals and collectives who identify within the LGBTQIA2S+ community – ensuring their voices are celebrated and amplified throughout the region.  If you're dedicated to advancing queer visibility and cultural representation in Appalachia, we encourage you to apply for funding to bring your artistic vision to life.

Applications opened on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 and closed on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.  The Waymakers Collective AppalCore and Voting Members will review all applications and contact grantees on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.  There will also be a brief post-reporting process to express the impact of the fund for our grantees. 

The Waymakers Collective are radical grantmakers dedicated to supporting community arts organizations and individual artists in the heart of Central Appalachia that are historically underfunded: those led by BIPOC [Black, indigenous, and people of color], youth, LGBTQIA2S+, and non-English speakers/ immigrants.  Founded in 2022, Waymakers seeks to disrupt the traditional model of philanthropy through the direct distribution of monetary gifts towards "Appalachian Futurism," an inclusive path rooted in equitable justice, creative cooperation, and sustainable stewardship.  This approach to charitable giving challenges traditional power dynamics between foundations and grantees and answers the urgent call to remove barriers for creatives and their communities to receive the resources they need and deserve.