Thanks to an astounding response to the Spring 2020 online exhibition open call, a portion of funds was set aside to provide TWO Young Space grants in the sum of $500 each to two artists. Historically, Young Space grants have been awarded through a nomination- or project-based system, but in this surreal moment during the pandemic, another application seemed less essential than pinpointing individuals who demonstrated a need for funds in this time, but had also been tirelessly working and self-organizing to help others during the pandemic as well.
Sometimes initiatives take off in unexpected ways, raising funds or providing an amazing service to others, but the person or small team running them do not have the infrastructure in place to make it sustainable without a little help and some time to establish a better framework.
In an effort to encourage these artists and their projects, the two awards have been presented to Cincinnati, Ohio-based artist Benjamin Cook who started Social Distance Gallery on Instagram to host BFA and MFA thesis shows which were canceled or postponed amid the pandemic, and New York City-based artist Hannah Beerman who established Artists for Humans which donates 100% of the proceeds of works sold via Instagram to Coalition for the Homeless.
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