The famous stylist and now Diesel creative director Nicola Formichetti has always found inspiration in the digital world—just think of Rick Genest, the Thierry Mugler model tatted as a skeleton, who Formichetti discovered on Facebook—so it makes sense that he would start his own art grant aimed at artists found on social media. Simply named Art Grant, the monetary prizes were given to 9 struggling art students.
“We recognize that social media is an enormous source of creative freedom for this generation, as costs of going to college rise, these places become extremely important for these kids to have a creative outlet” says Kevin Kollenda, CEO of Two Hustlers and co-founder of Art Grant, which was sponsored in part by Pepsi.
In addition to publicizing the Arts Grant over social media platforms like Tumblr and Instagram, the Arts Grant application was sent to the School of Visual of Arts, Hunter College, Parson’s School of Design, Pratt Institute and New York University as an open call to all young artists working in a variety of mediums. More than 300 applicants submitted five examples of their work along with an artist statement and biography.
Grant recipients, which were announced last night, include; Organ Armani, Michael Blake, Molly Matalon, and Arielle Stein, as well as the runners up; Vlad Anghel, Andrew Lyman, Sam Rolfes and Zoe Wolkoff & Paul Barry. Proceeds from exhibition sales will be contributed to future Arts Grants.
The exhibition is open at Two Hustlers, 50 White Street, New York, NY 10013 USA.