Question 1

Why a video submission and not just grant funding?

Accepted Answer

Emergent Seed is committed to supporting and spotlighting local, emerging artists in multiple ways and not just through grants. We are looking to build long-term relationships with our grantees - for example, Winners not only receive $500 grants, but are paired with a highly-skilled Mentor, and are given the opportunity to re-record their performance in a professional music studio. Emergent Seed intends to hold virtually and eventually in-person events, that not only build audience for its artists but also provides them with an opportunity to receive royalties. We believe increasing visibility for creatives and their work is hopefully even more valuable in the long term than a cash grant. While started in response to COVID-19, Emergent Seed is not an emergency relief fund. Our vision is to build a catalogue of high quality, diverse, local artists of various genres.

Question 2

Why "emerging" artists?"

Accepted Answer

Initially, our focus is to serve emerging artists, including current students and recent grads, who may be excluded from other funding opportunities given their lack of professional experience, difficulty in proving lost income, or their student status. We generally consider emerging artists as those who are not currently signed on to a record deal (Composers) or have not previously published a book with distribution greater than 5,000, self-published is okay (Writers). We originally defined "emerging" as 18-35 years old, though we recognize that the word "emerging" itself is not defined by age alone. If you have another explanation for why you consider yourself "emerging", there is a place for you to explain this in the Application. Please refer to the "Resources" page on this website for other funding opportunities and information.

Question 3

How many grants are you giving out this round?

Accepted Answer

Our intent is to award at least one Winner in each of the 4 Creative Categories each round, and hopefully more per Category, depending on the quality of the submissions we receive. In our first round we selected 10 Winners ($500 each), in our second round we selected 5 Winners ($500 each) and 9 Honorees ($150 each), and in our third round we selected 10 Winners ($500) and 16 Virtual Gig Grantees ($150). In an effort to give out even more grants we added a $150 option (called "Virtual Gig" Grants in Rd 3) to recognize excellent work by local, emerging artists without the same requirements as the $500 Winner grant ("Virtual Gig" grant submissions don't have to be of unpublished work).  We are planning subsequent rounds and intend to raise money to be able to have as many more rounds as the fundraising allows.

Question 4

Where does your funding come from?

Accepted Answer

The initial funding for the first two rounds was privately raised from people who support the  performing arts in the Greater DC Metro area, including contributions from the founder herself. Emergent Seed is premiering the Rd 2 Winners' full performances on April 23, 2021 and is accepting donations to help it, and the artists shown, be able to continue their work (a percentage of proceeds raised goes back directly to the Rd 2 Winners whose videos were broadcast). Emergent Seed plans to pursue multiple ways to raise additional funds to become an ongoing social enterprise to be able to keep giving out grants, putting on virtual events and videos, and supporting grantees through creating and expanding audiences for them.

Question 5

Can I donate to Emergent Seed?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can donate through our fundraiser link tied to the premiere of our Rd 2 Winners' full performances. At this time, financial contributions to Emergent Seed would be Gifts to Emergent Seed, and are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes.

Our Round 3 Winners and Grantees!

Emergent Seed

creatives helping creatives

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