Artblog | Velocity Fund

June 2, 2023 By Roberta

UNDUE BURDEN and Spirit on 52nd St., Two More Great Projects with Velocity Fund Support

Continuing our focus on 2022 Grantees of The Velocity Fund, we present a snapshot of UNDUE BURDEN, a collaborative project to organize, document, digitally archive and celebrate the lives and stories of Philadelphia’s Disabled artists; and Spirit on 52nd St. an experimental short film exploring the history and current state of the Black business corridor in West Philadelphia.

May 8, 2023 By Roberta

Innovative Projects by Li Sumpter and Melissa Langer Catch Fire with Velocity Fund Support

In the local arts funding universe, one funder, The Velocity Fund, https://velocityfund.org/ gives grant awards directly to artists for their experimental and collaborative work in the Philadelphia community.

May 25, 2022 By Roberta

Velocity Fund application deadline for 2022 grants is coming up – Apply today!

Have you applied yet? The Velocity Fund grant applications for 2022 are due on June 6, 2022. Applications opened at the end of March, and if you haven’t already, apply today for these direct artist grants of up to $5,000 for experimental projects that foster and encourage collaboration between art genres.

March 25, 2022 By Roberta

Velocity Fund launches fifth year of funding for Philadelphia Artists with open call for innovative projects

Artblog is excited to let you know about The Velocity Fund’s 2022 open call for projects in and with communities in Philadelphia. We love this direct-to-artist funding source! We believe that art belongs in the community, and projects belong in the hands of artists, and The Velocity Fund helps make that happen. Read on and be sure to consider applying for your innovative project.

March 11, 2022 By Roberta

Kristal Sotomayor on ‘Expanding Sanctuary,’ an Added Velocity Spotlight Interview

Kristal Sotomayor is the subject of our fifth and final Added Velocity 2021-2022 spotlight interview series! Her project “Expanding Sanctuary” was first funded through Velocity Fund in 2020, and now with $15,000 in additional funding through Added Velocity, she will further her 26-minute documentary “about the campaign to end the sharing of the police database with Immigration and Customs Enforcement led by Juntos and the Latinx immigrant community in South Philly.” Learn more below!

March 8, 2022 By Roberta

Diente and Sky Fo on “Choreto,” an Added Velocity Spotlight Interview

Diente and Sky Fo tell Artblog about ‘Choreto,’ their Added Velocity-funded follow-up to ‘Gente de Tierra’ (2020 Velocity Fund Project). ‘Choreto’ will use their $15,000 in funding for community infrastructure, resources, and education, such as community pantries and composting. Learn more in this post!

March 5, 2022 By Roberta

John Jarboe on “The Beardmobile,” an Added Velocity Spotlight Interview

Our third Added Velocity awardee spotlight is here! John Jarboe tells Roberta more about “The Beardmobile,” performance and protest unit on wheels; and their musical performance piece “Rose: You Are Who You Eat,” which they will perform at the Guggenheim in NYC on March 26th at 7:30PM!

March 3, 2022 By Roberta

Yaroub Al Obaidi on ‘Al Mudhif – A Confluence,’ an Added Velocity Spotlight Interview

Yaroub Al Obaidi, speaks with Roberta about their project “Al Mudhif – A Confluence” in this second Added Velocity awardee spotlight! Al Mudhif is a “a traditional Iraqi ceremonial structure made entirely out of phragmites reed.” With the $15,000 Added Velocity award, collaborators Yaroub Al Obaidi and Sarah Kavage will dismantle and document the structure after damage from Hurricane Ida.

March 1, 2022 By Roberta

Ana Cecilia Gonzalez on ‘Alumbra,’ an Added Velocity Spotlight Interview

February 23, 2022 By Roberta

Added Velocity 2021-2022 awards five worthy Philadelphia arts projects $15,000 each

We are very happy to announce the awardees of this year’s Added Velocity grants. The money awarded each project will go far to stabilize and support these community-engaged and activist projects already funded under the Velocity Fund. Funds go directly to artists! In this post you will find names of the projects and project leaders with links to full descriptions, as well as information about the funding sources and administrators.

November 10, 2021 By Roberta

The cycle of life, on wheels, with Sanchel Brown

Roberta speaks with performer, dancer, choreographer, Sanchel Brown, about her new project, “Wheelz of Life,” a live performance and film done on roller skates! Listen to this lively and life-affirming conversation and enjoy!

August 5, 2021 By Roberta

Velocity Fund awards twelve Philadelphia projects $5,000 each for cutting edge art with communities

Now in its fourth year, The Velocity Fund, administered by Philadelphia Contemporary, continues to lead the field here in providing money to artists for experimental art projects in the community. Bravo to The Velocity Fund, and congratulations to this year’s 12 awardees!

May 21, 2021 By Roberta

‘A Phonebook’ centers place and people in award-winning oral history

In this 33-minute Artblog Radio episode, Roberta speaks with Quinha Faria and Tyler Burdenski, two (out of nine) of the people behind the award-winning community project ‘A Phonebook,’ an image-rich oral history of about 120 Philadelphia “mom and pop” businesses. ‘A Phonebook’ goes into second print this summer & will be available for free at select local shops.

March 25, 2021 By Artblog

The Velocity Fund Announces Move to Philadelphia Contemporary & Opens Applications for 2021

We are happy to announce that our friends at The Velocity Fund have a new home with the collaborative and forward-thinking organization, Philadelphia Contemporary! We are delighted to see this funding source continue and look forward to seeing more exciting arts projects grow in Philadelphia!