Populus Fund FAQ
What is Populus Fund?
Populus Fund is a re-granting initiative organized by The Union, through the generous support of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts in order to support innovative artist projects throughout the region. Populus Fund was founded to provide essential support for projects exemplifying new ways of working in, for, and with the public.
What are project grants?
Populus Fund awards a total of seven $10,000 grants for projects with a visual arts component. Artists or collectives working outside established institutions can propose experiences, content, materials, activities, platforms, etc. that engage and connect with the community through visual art. We will have a short vetting process to ensure our selected awardees meet our eligibility criteria. Awarded projects will be selected by an outside jury.
Am I eligible to receive a Project Grant if I received a Populus Fund Emergency Grant in 2020 or 2021?
YES! If you received a Populus Fund Emergency Grant in 2020 or 2021, you are definitely eligible to receive a Project Grant in 2024.
Am I eligible to receive a Project Grant in 2025 if I received a Populus Fund Project Grant in the past?
Previous Project Grant awardees are only eligible to reapply three years after their project cycle is completed. Please note, when you are eligible to reapply the proposed project must be substantially different from a previously awarded project.
For example: If you received a Populus Fund Project Grant in 2022, you would become eligible to apply for the 2026 grant. If you received a Populus Fund Project Grant in 2023, you would become eligible to apply for the 2027 grant.
I applied in previous years, but DID NOT receive a Populus Fund Project Grant, am I eligible?
Yes, you are eligible and able to reapply with the same (or a new) project idea if not awarded previously. We encourage you to take advantage of our feedback sessions to review and strengthen your application.
How can I apply?
If eligible, you can apply via the Submittable platform. If you’ve used Submittable before and have an existing account, you will need to enter your login credentials. If it is your first time using Submittable, you will need to create a new account.
Once you’ve completed your application, you should receive a confirmation email from Submittable. If you have any technical issues using Submittable, such as questions related to password retrieval, confirming receipt of applications, or revising submitted applications, please contact support@submittable.com.
What if my eligibility status might change throughout the course of the project timeline? For example, I plan to move out of the eligible counties or anticipate receiving 501c3 status?
If you anticipate a change in your eligibility status during your project implementation timeline, please do not apply. This funding is meant to support independent artists living in our region throughout the duration of the grant support.
What can I use Project Grant funds for?
Project Grant funds may be used for all aspects of the proposed artistic project including research, materials, collaboration, development, and creation, as outlined in your proposed budget. Awardees may also set aside a portion of the awarded funds for tax purposes.
The Union believes in paying artists. We strongly encourage fair compensation for all artists and collaborators involved in the project. Please reflect this in your proposed project budget, including paying yourself!
Can I apply for funds for projects that have already happened?
No. Applications must be for new projects. Projects that have already happened will not be considered for funding.
Who will make up the jury?
The jury will be comprised of 3 individuals from the following categories:
an artist, arts professional, or community organizer from out of state,
an arts professional engaged with another Regional Regranting program,
a previous grantee
What criteria will jurors use when reviewing artist project proposals?
Projects will be reviewed by the jury based on the innovative, artistic, and creative strength of the proposed project, as well as the overall articulated vision of the applicant. Jury members will also take into consideration the capacity of the applicant to complete the project within the proposed timeline and budget.
Projects that demonstrate public engagement and/or impact, inclusion, diversity, equity, and access will be prioritized.
We encourage you to look over our scoring matrix. Jurors will use this exact matrix/criteria to evaluate applications.
How will my application information be used?
The information you provide in this application is confidential and may be used to report demographics without identifying information. Demographic information is optional and not required to submit an application. With artist consent, successful applications may be published as a resource for future applicants.
How can I share about my creative or artistic practice within the application?
Within the application, you will be asked to share up to five work samples. You can upload these work samples as individual files. You can also share a link to your website or social media account used to share your art, or a publication about your work.
Alongside your work samples, you will be asked to provide a document briefly identifying each work sample with the title, a description, your role, and dates.
The majority of my financial support does not come from my artistic practice. Am I eligible?
Yes, you are eligible as long as you can establish that you are a practicing artist who is making your work publicly available.
I am a theater artist, dancer, musician, performance artist, or practice another art form. Can I still apply?
Populus Fund has an expansive understanding of the visual arts. If your project is connected to the visual arts and you can communicate this within your application, you are eligible. This could include visual/multidisciplinary artists who create original work in painting, drawing, sculpture, book art, ceramics, fiber, printmaking, digital/media works, film, video, photography, performance art, sound art, social practice and/or hybrid or interdisciplinary practice of any/all of the above.
If you are uncertain, please reach out to our team – populusfund@u-ca.org – to determine your eligibility.
Why are only visual artists allowed to apply for this funding?
Populus Fund is part of the Regional Re-Granting program funded by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. The Warhol Foundation’s funding priorities are to support visual artists working in partner cities.
I own or run a nonprofit entity or LLC. Am I eligible to apply?
This project grant is intended to directly support the creative practice of individual artists and artist collectives.
Organizations such as nonprofits are not eligible for funding; however, individual artists associated with such entities are eligible as individuals.
LLC and small art businesses may apply with project specific ideas, but are not able to apply for funding for general operations and expenses.
I am currently a Union Fellow, teaching artist, performing artist, or exhibiting artist. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligibility is not impacted by prior or current engagements, awards, or programming affiliations with The Union or The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. However, you may not be or have an immediate family member that is on Union staff or board.
What counties are eligible to apply?
35 counties surround Omaha in Iowa and Nebraska are eligible. Please reference the full county list and map at the top of the Populus Fund landing page to determine your eligibility.
Does the proposed project have to happen within the eligible counties listed?
Because this funding is meant to impact our regional arts + culture communities, a significant part of the project being proposed must occur in and engage with communities living within eligible counties. However, projects that engage communities outside of eligible counties in addition to communities within eligible counties will be considered.
What should I do if I have to move after I’ve submitted an application?
If you are selected as a grant recipient, please include your new address in your email response to the notification, along with your W-9. It is not necessary to contact anyone about a change of address prior to being selected. However, funded artists must live within one of the eligible counties during the application process and for the duration of their project implementation.
Can I receive assistance and/or feedback when filling out my application?
The Union will be scheduling 1-on-1 feedback sessions during the time that applications are open. During this time applicants can receive direct feedback regarding their application from a Union staff member.
If you have a question about the application process or your eligibility that has not been answered in resources provided, or need assistance from our team in reading or filling out the application, please email us at populusfund@u-ca.org.
I’m having trouble with the online application form. Can I receive assistance with my application?
Yes! If you need assistance or access to technology/wifi to complete the online application, please contact us at populusfund@u-ca.org or call 402-933-3161 and leave a message with how to contact you.
Can I apply on behalf of someone else with their consent?
Yes. If you wish to submit an application on behalf of another person with their consent, you will need to create a Submittable account for them and be sure to fill out the rest of the application with their information. If you are filling out the application for more than one project, you will need to create a unique Submittable account each time.
Will Union staff be selecting Project Fund recipients?
No. Union staff will not be selecting Project Fund recipients. We will have a short vetting process to ensure our selected awardees meet our eligibility criteria. Awarded projects will be selected by an outside jury of individuals.
When will I be notified if I am receiving funding?
Awardees will be notified in early June 2025.
Will Project Grant awardees be announced?
Yes. Recipients of the Populus Fund Project Grant will be announced in July 2025.
What will you require to issue my grant?
If your application is selected for a grant, you must be able to provide a W-9 and Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and a mailing address at which you can receive a paper check. We will provide grantees with a digital link to complete and sign the W-9 in addition to a grant agreement form.
Is this grant taxable?
Yes. Awardees will be sent a 1099 tax form for the $10,000 award. Project budgets can reflect this in their use of funds. Please contact a tax advisor for specific recommendations.
Do you offer assistance with taxes for awardees?
The Union partners with Brass Taxes to offer one free 1-on-1 consulting session with a tax advisor for all awardees. Beyond this, The Union does not offer tax assistance and we encourage all awardees to work with their tax advisor for specific questions and recommendations related to this grant award.
If I am applying as part of a collective, how will the grant payments be distributed?
The Union will work with the collective to split up the grant award amongst the artists working together in the collective. We will make every effort to accommodate payment arrangements as needed.
If I am not selected for a grant, will I still be notified?
Yes, we will respond to all applicants whether they are selected for funding or not.
What if I am selected and need an accommodation for payment installments due to disability, unemployment, or other status?
We will make every effort to accommodate selected recipients with alternate payment arrangements. If you are selected for a grant, please include your accommodation request in your response.
Can you explain the project development timeframe?
Funded projects need to be put into action and implemented between the dates of July 2025 and June 2026. This means all projects must be fully in-progress, having made significant steps toward completion, or presentation to the public, by June 2026.
Can The Union host, collaborate, or provide resources for my proposed idea?
The Union will schedule check-ins with all Populus Fund grant awardees to discuss progress and offer project guidance. The Union will also offer communications support and promotion of funded projects via our channels (social media, etc.). Beyond this, responsibility for the implementation, creation, and completion of all funded projects is held solely by awardees.
The Union cannot be a project partner, collaborator, or venue for the proposed project. The Union’s primary involvement is monetary.
Any other questions not answered on this FAQ, please contact Union staff at populusfund@u-ca.org or call 402-933-3161 and leave a message with your contact information.