It’s finally here. After months of planning, we at NOT REAL ART are proud to present our first art exhibition, part of
Our Grant
About Our Grant
Founded in 2019, the NOT REAL ART Grant for Artists is a $12,000 annual award designed to empower the practice of 6 contemporary artists, each of whom receive $2,000. But, NOT REAL ART Grant winners get more than money. Each recipient gets to share their story and promote with exclusive, in-depth featured interviews on the NOT REAL ART podcast and blog. And, whether or not you receive our grant, every applicant automatically qualifies to be included in future blog stories, newsletters and our artist marketing database!
Congratulations To Our 2022 Grant Winners!
We are extremely proud of our 2022 class of grant winners. Each of these artists are now part of the NOT REAL ART Family. They join a community of past grant recipients, which brings our total of alumni of grant winners to 30 artists.
As years past, our 2022 winners personify exceptional conceptual vision, technical ability and artist integrity. They are:
News & Grant Articles
Hear from some of the artists who joined our diverse community:
Meet The Winners of the 2022 NOT REAL ART Grant for Artists
Congratulations to our new 2022 class of grant winners! Congratulations to our 2022 grant winners Founded in 2019, the NOT REAL ART
Pretty in Plastic Creates One-of-a-Kind Awards for NOT REAL ART Grant Winners
Nearly one year ago, NOT REAL ART announced its 2021 grant winners, six artists who push the boundaries of what’s possible in
Last Call: Apply for the Annual NOT REAL ART Grant by May 1
Our mission at NOT REAL ART has always been to support the creative community in a variety of ways. Founded in 2019,
Albert Cleophus Willis: 2021 Not Real Art Grant Winner
Grant winner, Albert Cleophus Willis, who prefers to go by ‘Cleophus’ in the fine art world, was a little surprised when he
Carmen Mardonez: 2021 Not Real Art Grant Winner
Not Real Art grant winner, Carmen Mardonez grew up in Chile. The oldest of nine siblings, Mardonez shares that growing up in
Daniela Garcia: 2021 Not Real Art Grant Winner
Grant winner, Daniela Garcia, grew up in Lake Los Angeles, a small town on the outskirts of the Antelope Valley, and Guanajuato,
Nadyia Duff: 2021 Not Real Art Grant Winner
In high school, Not Real Art Grant winner, Nadyia Duff, chose Cooking as her elective. But, as fate – or the art
John Chang: 2021 Not Real Art Grant Winner
Not Real Art Grant Winner, John Chang was born and raised in Shanghai, which he describes as a “big city – the
Natalia Villanueva Linares: 2021 Not Real Art Grant Winner
International artist and grant winner, Natalia Villanueva Linares was born in the south of France to Peruvian parents. A graduate of École
John Chang: 2021 NOT REAL ART Grant Winner
Today’s guest on the Not Real Art Podcast is John Chang, one of our six 2021 Not Real Art Grant winners. John
Natalia Villanueva Linares: 2021 NOT REAL ART Grant Winner
Natalia Villanueva Linares is today’s guest and one of our amazing 2021 NRA grant winners! Natalia hails from Peru and France and
Call For Artists: Apply Now for the 2021 NOT REAL ART Artist Grant. Don’t Miss Out. Deadline May 1, 2021!
The NOT REAL ART Artist Grant is a $12,000 annual award designed to empower the careers of 6 contemporary artists, each of
Culver City Arts + Helms Bakery District Celebrates 2020 Not Real Art Grant Recipients (VIDEO)
Public art video installation at Helms Bakery District in Culver City, Ca. In an effort to find comfort and connectedness through art,
NOT REAL ART Honors Its 2020 Class of Artist Grantees With an Exclusive Online Exhibition: 7pm October 8: Join Us!
In an empty room, a woman sits, nude, unadorned, her face hidden by a thick wave of blonde hair. This composition assumes
Tijera Williams: Artist + 2020 Not Real Art Grant Recipient
When this interview took place in April, George Floyd was still breathing. The nation and world-at-large were fighting the deadly Coronavirus and
What Participating Artists Have To Say...
The many benefits of participating in the Grant process go beyond the chance of winning some grant money. Hear from some of the artists who joined our diverse community:
Will there be cake?
Overall, you are doing okay. However, all the emails revving us up for "the big announcement," triggers a stress response in me. I don’t want to be wound up and revved up for yet another rejection. It’s like dealing with my aging cat sitting at the door. In or out? Make up your mind. Will there be cake afterwards? I do better with cake.
Terri Lloyd - Artist
I felt understood as an artist…
I really enjoyed the process of applying to this grant. Unlike some other grants, I felt understood as an artist. I also really appreciate the frequent email (updates) which keep us in the loop. I truly feel part of this process, regardless of the results. It really makes me want to be a part of this community.
Diane Navarro - Artist
I loved the podcasts too
No complaints!
Thank you for all you do
The submission process was straight forward and you provided a way for video to be viewed which can sometimes be a challenge in submission processes. Thank you for all you do and for your support of the arts!
Carmen Menza - Artist
Not looking for trophies
Instead of an "art trophy" for winners, why not just add more to cash the grant award? Pretty sure grant applicants are not looking for trophies.
Joseph Weinzettle - Artist
Thank you!
Appreciate the grant and how easy the process has been. I enjoy the email updates and newsletters. Thank you!
Nadia Marie Belvanson - Artist
Thank you for the great experience
I’ve been so anxious throughout this whole process, but in a good way! This is the first grant I’ve ever applied for and I wasn’t sure how the experience was going to go. I want to thank you for the great experience and for being so informative.
Sabrina Hairston - Artist
Well done…
This build-up to the "big announcement" is kind of nice! Even if I get it I appreciate the anticipation and recognition. I also love the concept since so much of our work is hard to define or categorize, as art should be, not the exception. Well done!
Sarah Madeleine T. Guerin - Artist
Your updates make me feel involved and appreciated
It’s wonderful to be updated on the status of the grant process. Many times, when you submit for a grant, you don’t hear anything. This can be very nerve wrecking. The updates make the artist feel more involved and appreciated.
Miriam Kruishoop - Artist
You keep us informed…
“I actually enjoy the weekly emails and I look forward to them. I think it is great that you keep us all informed.
Jessica Braun - Artist
Great overall
I’ve found the experience with the NOT REAL ART Grant to be great overall! Not once have I felt out of the loop, every email is informative and interesting! I really appreciate being regularly updated on the current status of the application, as well as new and exciting events!
Leandra Brandson - Artist
Celebrating Our Grant Winners
Congratulations
2021 Recipients!
John Chang
Nadyia Duff
Daniela Garcia
Carmen Mardonez
Natalia Villanueva
Albert Willis
NOT REAL ART Announces Its 2020 Grant Recipients:
It’s the kind of news everyone wants to receive at least once in their life – getting the news “you won!”. Today, six visual artists are about to get such positive news as they read this piece to learn they are the recipients of the 2020 NOT REAL ART Grant.
NOT REAL ART aspires to honor artists invaluable contributions to human culture by empowering their careers in meaningful, thoughtful and relevant ways. As an organization, NOT REAL ART exists to celebrate and elevate creative culture by empowering artists, helping artists tell their stories and promote their art.
Our 2019
Grant Recipients
- Tayla Coviello
- Marguerite Kalhor
- Beth Abaravich
- Edmund Arevalo
- Juliana Bustillo
- Karen Fiorito
- Jessie Noguchi
- Rachel O’Donnell
- Maria Belseiro
- Eben Eldridge
- Monica Leal Cueva
- Anthony Louis-Just