Cash award celebrating the impact of artists dedicated to positive impact and social justice through their artistic practice.
Bonfils-Stanton Foundation is proud to present the 2026 Social Impact Artist Award. The award honors and supports the outstanding contributions of two (2) Denver-based artists or artist collectives championing positive impact and social justice through their artistic practice with a $35,000 award and $15,000 socially engaged project grant.
Socially engaged art serves as a powerful catalyst for positive change within communities, fostering connections, dialogue, and collaboration. Artists or collectives raising awareness about important issues through their creative practice empower individuals to become active participants in shaping their own communities. By fostering empathy and solidarity, these artistic interventions bridge divides and inspire collective action towards a more equitable and just society. Ultimately, socially engaged art reinforces the ties between creativity, community, and social change, demonstrating the transformative potential of art to build a better world.
Program Goals
- Support individual artists or artist collectives in Denver who are actively engaged in addressing social issues through their creative practice.
- Showcase the impact of socially engaged art in promoting discourse, celebrating Denver’s rich cultural heritage, and fostering partnerships that help communities thrive.
- Prioritize and amplify the perspectives and experiences of artists and culture bearers from historically marginalized communities.
- Elevate the profile of Denver as a center for socially conscious artistic expression and innovation.
- Encourage and provide project funding for artists to explore ways for the community to participate in, respond to, inform, and learn from their work.
History
Since 1984, Bonfils-Stanton Foundation has celebrated the impactful contributions of artists and leaders in the community. Initiated by our benefactor, Charles Edwin Stanton, the Annual Awards originally recognized achievements across Arts and Humanities, Community Service, and Science and Medicine. Over time, as our focus sharpened on arts & culture, the awards evolved to honor Artist, Community Service in the Arts, and Arts in Society categories.
In 2024, honoring four decades of tradition, we introduce a new chapter with the Social Impact Artist Awards. The awards will honor socially-engaged artists who champion change and social justice through their work. Awardees will be chosen biennially, continuing our commitment to celebrating transformative leadership in all forms.
Artist/artist Eligibility Requirements
- At least 21 years old.
- Live and/or work primarily in Denver.
- At least 5 years experience creating original work in a variety of disciplines (e.g., dance, music, theatre, visual arts, design, crafts, photography, media arts, literature, folk & traditional arts) in Denver.
- Have a deep commitment to social justice and community engagement through their artistic practice.
- Artist collectives have a track record of working collaboratively on new work and are committed to completing the socially engaged project associated with the award.
Ineligible applicants include
- Past honorees of Bonfils-Stanton Foundation’s award program
- Employees of Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, a Trustee of the Foundation, or a relative or partner of any employee or Trustee of the Foundation.
- 501(c)(3) nonprofits or fiscally-sponsored organizations
How to apply
- Access online application via Submittable. Once eligibility requirements are confirmed, applicants will be able to access the full application.
- Complete and submit the application by 5:00 p.m. Mountain on Friday, March 20, 2026
- Applicants will answer questions related to the selection criteria and submit a project proposal that utilizes the $15,000 project budget for new or continuing work to be completed by Spring 2027.
- Applicants will not be able to update or amend applications after the deadline.
- Members of collectives may also apply as individual artists. If awarded, artists in the collective will share the $35,000 cash award equally.
- Only one application per artist. An artist can apply as an individual and as a part of a collective.
- Upon selection, awardees must submit a W9 to Bonfils-Stanton Foundation for the $35,000 award as the foundation is required by the IRS to issue a 1099 to the individual for the amount.
Award Selection Criteria
- Artistic Vision - Artists who channel their skills, aesthetic styles, perspectives, lived experience and creativity into developing a practice that invites others to imagine a more just and inclusive Denver.
- Social Impact - The extent to which the artist's practice addresses social issues and contributes to positive change within the community.
- Community Engagement & Connection - Evidence of meaningful collaboration with community members or organizations in the development and execution of artistic projects. Artists who share a deep connection to and understanding of the Denver area and historically marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, Latino/e/x, Asian American, Native Hawai’ian, Pacific Islander, People of Color, LGBTQ+, disability, and other underrepresented groups.
- Project Potential & Feasibility - The feasibility and potential impact of the proposed artistic project will be assessed.
Contact
Questions and accessibility requests can be directed to Chrissy Deal at admin@bonfils-stanton.org or 303.825.3774.