Art.coop provides artists working on economic justice with resources including tools, connection, and money.

Events 

We regularly host in-person and virtual events to connect artists and cultural bearers within the Solidarity Economy and do general political education about movements for self-determination.

Want to collaborate on an event? Write to team@art.coop.

  • View recordings of some digital events here, and see resources from our events in the document below.

Remember the Future Podcast

Our two-season podcast, with a third in the works, invites listeners to Remember the Future together by hearing to the stories of artists and culture bearers who know that the practices of the Solidarity Economy are not some new technology, but actually are ways of being in relationship with people and planet that are as old as time. They are our ancestral practices.

  • Listen to the podcast here.

Courses 

In partnership with CreativeStudy, we developed a series of free courses on the Solidarity Economy movement as a home for artists. Creatives around the world are working together, placing people and the planet over profit to create thriving homes, businesses, investments, and creative work. You can too.

The Propagation Pool is paused at the moment as we have spent the allotted monies in our budget. Stay tuned for an update!

The Propagation Pool is a project-based grant for creatives in the Solidarity Economy which redistributes $40,000 in grants ranging from $500 to $5,000.  

The Propagation Pool builds on our 2021 report, Solidarity, Not Charity, which calls for a grantmaking process determined by movement leaders who are accountable to an organized base.

Reflecting on the work of our partners at the New Economy Coalition, A Blade of Grass, US Department of Arts & Culture, US Solidarity Economy Network, Creative Wildfire, Boston Ujima Project and practicing artists in the Solidarity Economy movement, Art.coop has designed this application to meet artists’ needs within the bounds of our fiscal sponsorship agreement with Movement Strategy Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please note that the Propagation Pool is paused for the moment and Art.coop is not accepting any more new applications.

Are there any restrictions?

Grant monies are open for use, as long as they adhere to 501(c)(3) and public charity regulations and are, thus, not used for lobbying, private benefit, or violations of policy.

Use-rights or intellectual property relationships for any work created through resources from the Pool are determined by the artists who make the work.

Who can apply?

Any individual artist or group of artists can apply as long as they are…

  • Committed to the Solidarity Economy movement

  • Able to receive taxable income in the U.S.

  • Have a creative endeavor within the Solidarity Economy ecosystem that they would like support with.

What projects are eligible?

Art.coop defines Propagation Pool projects as any efforts that sustain the Solidarity Economy through art and culture. This includes short-term projects, but prioritizes practices that build infrastructure, provide knowledge hubs, and foster trusting relationships.  

How are applications submitted?

Applicants can apply here.

Art.coop uses a rolling application process to move money to support artistic endeavors that resist the dominant extractive economy and build a new one.

Artists can use a written, voice recording, or voice call application for this grant. Our Artist Organizer, Sruti, is on hand to receive voice call applications via Zoom; you may schedule a time with them through the application.

How are applications reviewed?

Propagation Pool applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis by the Art.coop staff against the eligibility criteria above. Applications are reviewed individually, not in comparison to each other.

The Art.coop team is focused on engaging a diversity of strategies to strengthen the Solidarity Economy with art, and will accordingly redistribute resources to the projects that apply. 

Currently, we are prioritizing applications that support narrative-building projects about the Solidarity Economy, meet initial incorporation and infrastructural costs, and/or challenge overt and covert fascism.

Applications are currently reviewed as they arrive by our staff of Solidarity Economy artists and stewards. In the future, the Pool may expand to have a council of elders who help distribute grants.

What is the timeline for this grant?

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and the Art.coop team reviews requests as they arrive in our inbox. When funds are fully distributed, Art.coop will notify the public until the next year’s Pool opens. 

Creatives can apply at any point during the year, as long as funds are available. 

Applicants can expect to hear back from Art.coop within one month of application, and if awarded the grant, will receive monies within 4 weeks. 

Upon receipt of grant and completion of the project, recipients must share a budget and narrative explaining the use of funds.

Who can I contact with questions?

Please write to Sruti Suryanarayanan at sruti@art.coop with any questions. You can also see our information sheet here.