Sasha and Ed Bass launch program for local artists to capture pandemic through work

The COVID-19 pandemic has left the vast majority of artists without income, but an artist relief initiative is trying to put Fort Worth artists back to work.

Fort Worth philanthropists Sasha and Edward P. Bass have partnered with Alice L. Walton Foundation, the Donny Wiley Memorial Fund, and Kit and Charlie Moncrief for “The New Normal,” a program that will distribute $100,000 to at least 30 local artists with stipends of $2,000 to $5,000.

The selected artists will create work in response to their experiences during the pandemic, which will help provide a documentation of Fort Worth during COVID-19.

“Throughout history, artists have responded to major catastrophes and provided the world with visual interpretations of a reality that captures and preserves the human experience of the time,” said Sasha Bass, in a press release. “Even in this age of social distancing, coming together through art is possible.”

The New Normal is administered by Gallery of Dreams, the Fort Worth nonprofit arts organization founded by Lauren Childs, artist and owner of Fort Works Art. There is no fee for the application process, which requires examples of work, a short written proposal, and a statement explaining loss of income.

“We plan on sending checks out very quickly,” said Childs. “This is only for Fort Worth artists, so we are not anticipating getting 700 applications. We’re hoping to support as many Fort Worth artists as we can and really shift the moral and the spirit of our artistic community as a whole.”

A selection panel of eight jurors includes Sasha and Edward P. Bass and Lauren Childs, as well as curators and directors from Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Kimbell Art Museum, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.

The awards will be granted in three cycles. Artists may apply now up until May 11 for the first round, with awards being announced on May 16. Round two is from May 12 through May 26, with awards announced May 31. And the last cycle is from May 27 to June 10, with awards announced June 15.

For more information, visit artist.callforentry.org.

This story was originally published April 28, 2020 at 6:00 AM.