In the spirit of embracing contemporary culture at its core and edges, the Flourish Fund supports artist organized projects in Southeast Michigan that are experimental and risk-taking, shared with the public, and embrace contemporary, creative possibilities for the future of arts and culture. Annually, the Flourish Fund offers six grants of $10,000 each to support artists for these innovative, public-facing projects across the seven counties of Southeast Michigan.

What type of projects are eligible?

• Projects led by independent, unincorporated artists at all career stages based in the seven counties of Southeast Michigan. The lead organizer of the project must reside in one of the seven counties of Southeast Michigan. These seven counties are Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Monroe, Livingston, and St. Clair.
• Projects that are publicly shared through their presentation, production, creation process, or publication, online or in-person.
• Projects that, at their core, are rooted in a visual arts practice. Projects can be interdisciplinary, but must have a strong foundation in the visual arts. Proposed projects may include works across mediums and disciplines, from sculpture to projection mapping, printmaking to immersive technology, and beyond.
• A group of artists or collective may apply.

What type of projects are ineligible?

• Projects that are not based in the seven counties of Southeast Michigan. These seven counties are Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Monroe, Livingston, and St. Clair.
• Projects that do not have a public component.
• Projects organized by existing incorporated entities (includes LLC’s; B Corps or any other corporation; 501(C)(3) organizations; 501(c)(4) organizations), universities or schools (private, public, charter), religious institutions, or municipalities.
• Projects led by students currently enrolled in high school, college, and/or university.
• Projects seeking support retroactively or seeking reimbursement for a past project.

Need more information? Check out our frequently asked questions document below to get answers.

• Overall artistic vision of proposed project
• Demonstration of affinity for artistic exploration, experimentation, and risk taking
• Accessibility of the project to the public
• Capacity of the applicant to realize the project on time and within budget
• Relevance to the local community, the arts and culture sector, and/or the artist’s professional growth

Selection Process
CultureSource will invite an independent committee to review and select projects for funding. The panel will include at least four artists and arts professionals living inside and outside of the region. All panelists will review and rank each proposal based on the above criteria. During a convening administered by CultureSource, panelists will have the opportunity to discuss the highest scoring proposals until they all agree on which projects will be awarded Flourish Fund grants, and how funds will be allocated.

Grantee Responsibilities

• At the beginning of the one-year grant period, Flourish Fund grantees will receive 90% of their grant funds upon return of a signed contract and W-9.
• Once the project is complete, grantees will be required to submit a brief report. The report is intended to help grantees reflect on the project in ways that may inform their future creative pursuits. The final 10% of grant funds will be disbursed upon receipt of the final report.

• Flourish Fund grantees will be asked to maintain communication with CultureSource throughout the grant period and have an interim site visit to share work progress.

  Grantees are legally responsible for all events, materials, insurance, outcomes, etc. connected with their projects.

  Grantees will periodically be asked to contribute text, visuals, and additional materials for Flourish Fund grants promotions and archives.