MICRO-GRANTS FOR DISABLED SCULPTORS

*PLEASE READ IN FULL BEFORE APPLYING & DO NOT APPLY BEFORE SUBMISSIONS OPEN ON OCTOBER 4TH*

Applications are open from October 4th- October 14th at 11:59pm EST.

About: SICK will be awarding two $300 micro-grants to sick/disabled sculptors, sponsored by The Robert J. Spring Endowment for Sculptors. These micro-grants are meant to provide support for disabled sculptors in whatever capacity they feel is most beneficial. Art supplies, studio time, artist books, workshops, and museum visits are examples of what this grant aims to support, but it is up to you what to use it for. Reporting use of funds/providing receipts will not be required. We may request to feature your work, including a short interview, in a future issue of SICK.

Eligibility: Chronically ill/mentally ill/disabled artists working in sculpture or an artist looking to expand their practice to include sculpture. You must be at least 18 years old and able to receive payment via Paypal. Artists may be located anywhere in the world, but will be paid in USD. Applications are open from October 4th-October 14th at 11:59pm EST. All applicants will receive a response by November 30th. Please do not apply if you have already received this grant in a pervious year.

Process: Applicants will be judged on the strength of their application, quality of work, and their commitment & interest in sculpture as shown in the answers to required questions. You do not have to be an established sculptor, but you must be able to show commitment to your artistic practice and provide examples of your work. The jurors for these micro-grants are Olivia Spring (founder and editor of SICK), Jeffrey Spring (President of Modern Art Foundry & MAFF Board member), and Lani Tarozzi (MAFF board member).

Past grantees: A/bel Andrade & Cathleen Luo (2023); Lindsy Davis & Ryann Mckinney (2025)

All you need to do to apply is fill out this form.  The questions on this form are also listed below and if necessary, applications can be emailed to the below address if a google form is inacessible. If you have any questions, please DM @aSICKmagazine or email hello@sickmagazine.org. 

For transparency: SICK micro-grants are sponsored by The Robert J. Spring Endowment for Sculptors. Robert (Bob) Spring was my grandfather, who worked as the president of Modern Art Foundry for over 45 years. He took over operations from his father, who founded the lost wax bronze casting foundry in Astoria, Queens, in 1932. Bob was an iconic figure in the industry, working closely with artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Jacques Lipchitz, and Tracey Emin, among many others, to bring their creations to life. My father, Jeffrey Spring, now runs the foundry’s operations and began the Modern Art Foundry Foundation and Robert J. Spring Endowment in honor and celebration of Bob and his ambitious, larger-than-life personality, in addition to his commitment to serving artists and the world of casting. I (Olivia) now sit on the MAFF Board of Directors alongside my father, Jeffrey, Lani Tarozzi, Laura Spring, Mary Jo Bursig, and Matthew Bursig.

Since 2021, the RJS Endowment has annually provided membership funds to ten young emerging sculptors; travel vouchers through JetBlue Airlines for sculptors to attend the National Sculpture Society Conference; and stipends to high school seniors intending to study art in further education. Learn more at foundationmaf.or

APPLICATION INFORMATION & QUESTIONS:
- Email address
- Name and pronouns (optional)
- Location
- Age
- Website (optional)
- Instagram (optional)

Tell us about yourself and your art practice. (max 500 words)

What experience do you have working in sculpture? (If you have none, explain what you would like to gain experience in and hy) (max 500 words)

What is the main reason you are applying for this grant, and what would you use the grant money for? (If selected, you do not have to abide by what you write here - this is just so we have a general idea of how this would support you.) (Max 300 words)

Upload 5-10 images of recent work. If you do not have experience in sculpture, please share work in whatever format best represents your artistic style.

This grant is for disabled folks only. Please confirm that you are chronically ill/disabled/mentally ill and highlight any other identities that may be used to push multiply-marginalized people fo the front.