iStock launches US $20,000 'First Inclusion Grant' for First Nations artists in Australia

Stock library company iStock has launched its inaugural Inclusion Grant, designed to promote the work of emerging creative commercial artists who are seeking to draw attention to and depict underrepresented communities through their work.

The grant is open to commercial photographers, videographers and illustrators based in the U.S., UK, LATAM and Australia.

Through the grant, four first-place prizes of US$5,000 will be awarded to the recipients of each of the grants, in partnership with U.S.-based organisation Black Women Photographers, UK-based organisation Creative Access, Fotografas Latam and Australia Council for the Arts. Each partner organisation has established its own set of criteria for their respective grant, to further ensure that under-represented creatives working in their own communities are encouraged to apply.

“Given that photography is still a white, male-dominated industry and the fact there are very few grants out there designed to serve Black women in commercial photography, it’s safe to say that this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity,” said Polly Irungu, Founder, Black Women Photographers.

Patricia Adjei, Head of First Nations Arts & Culture Sector Development for Australia Council, says the grant demonstrates a commitment to work more closely with emerging First Nations artists and photographers in an ethical way.

"We often see non- First Nations photographers recording First Nations’ people and stories. This new grant series aims to increase the visibility of First Nations artists and photographers in the broader photography field, while also allowing them to express themselves through their point of view and lens.”

Applicants can apply here from today and have until 11:59pm EST (4pm AEDT) on Monday, December 6 to submit proposals. 

Applicants are required to submit an existing or new project along with a portfolio of their work and a short essay describing their intent and inspiration and must meet all eligibility requirements. In addition to the grants, all four recipients will be given the opportunity to license their winning work on the iStock website at a 100 percent royalty rate.