Philly creators: This grant program is giving out $100K to Black artists working in any medium

Calling all Black creators in Philly: Black Music City, a collaboration between public music radio stations WXPN and WRTI and coworking and creative community REC Philly, is re-upping its grant program for 2022. But this time, there’s more than double the funds available.

Big announcement loading ⌛️

Something about $100,000 worth of grant funding for Creators.

Coming soon 😁

— Dave Silver (@DaveSilver__) November 9, 2021

The orgs have $100,000 to distribute to Black creators who are musicians, songwriters, journalists, visual or digital artists, or basically anyone who works in a creative medium. Those in the Philadelphia region — including Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware — are eligible to apply for the grants, which will be worth between $1,000 and $3,500.

The Black Music City initiative was started last year to recognize the city’s rich Black music history, and in 2021, the collaborating orgs awarded $48,000 in grants to 23 local creators. Dave Silver, cofounder of REC Philly, told Techncial.ly that this year, the funds will likely be able to be distributed to closer to 50 artists. The team also has a handful of new judges on its selection committee.

“The initiative is important because it puts capital into the hands of local creators to do more of what they love — while also honoring Philly’s music history,” Silver said in an email. “When creators get to do more of what they love, our city is better because of it … plain and simple.”

Judges will be scoring an application on the storytelling and theme, creativity, personal concept or opinion and the creator’s past work and resume. Applications are open through Dec. 17, and the selection committee will announce grantees Feb. 1. Creators will have until May to complete their works, and a showcase will take place on Juneteenth 2022.

Check out the below recap of last year’s event at REC Philly’s space showcasing 2020 grantees, and apply here through Dec. 17.