Report: BIPOC Creator Grants 2022
By Ingrid Schorr, Director of Arts Engagement Division of Creative Arts | School of Arts and Sciences | Brandeis University
The BIPOC Creator Grant was established by Brandeis Arts Engagement in 2020 to support Brandeis undergraduates in any course of study whose creative work amplifies the voices of BIPOC people. Students may apply for up to $250 to be used for resources such as equipment, materials, studio time, lessons, workshops and so forth. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis. In 2021-22, recipients used the funds to support their work in theater arts, design, filmmaking, jewelry, painting, photography and music.
[with photo] Jonathan Joasil ’22, Biology and HSSP major
Recipients
- Maria Aranibar ’22
- Salma Bensalim ’24
- Vicente Cayuela ’22
- Delaine Gneco De La Cruz ’23
- Hisham Issak ’24
- Joasil ’22
- Jacob Krah ’23
- Alaysia Penso ’23
- Jolecia Saunderson ’24
- Logan Shanks ’24
- Cassipea Stith ’22
- Angela Sun ’23
- Khadija Wade ’23
- Lily Zhang ’23
[pie chart of recipients by major]
Feedback From Recipients
A survey of recipients in May 2022 yielded 11 responses. In their statements about the positive impact of the grant, recipients mentioned access to resources as well as affirmation of their identity as an artist.
“The grant allowed me to print large-scale [photographs] that I entered in several exhibitions this year. This exposure led to my receiving the 2022 Emerging Artist Award in Visual Arts from the St. Botolph Club Foundation.” — Vicente Cayuela ’22, Studio Art major [with photo]
“I have never seen myself as an artist because I looked at artistry through a small lens. This is partly because I did not have much opportunities and resources to engage in art as someone who is a lower-income immigrant. However, creating through digital art and physical art made me realize that art can be produced in many forms.” — anonymous Anthropology major
Impact
Survey question: What are some possible next steps for you creatively?
- Continuing my small business and creating pieces that send a message.
- Collaborating with other artists and mentors who are engaging with art as a way to connect with different people.
- I will be experimenting with ways to implement modern technology from the MakerLab with traditional Chinese techniques through seal carving.
- I'll continue to explore and develop different film projects and intersect different disciplines throughout it, such as choreography and cinematography, ethnographic documentaries, and experimental filmmaking.
- I make music and next steps would be putting a full project together.
- I want to create a mural on campus and to participate in the Festival of the Arts next year.
- Keep creating digital art.
- I intend to start a business.
- I will continue collecting images and taking photos for my "Black Girlhood" magazine.
- Short form videos and taking pictures.
- Extensive research, grant writing and collaboration
Outcomes
Question: What new knowledge or skills did you obtain as a result of the grant? How did the grant expand your creative capabilities?
"The materials I was able to purchase changed the game for me. I used them to finish my [final project in ENG113: Performing Climate Justice] as well as in my small business. I was able to purchase a professional pattern which taught me a lot of new techniques. I can’t wait to use what I’ve learned to expand the range of my business and earn more money for charity this way." — Lily Zhang ‘23, Biology major [with photo]
"I purchased a MIDI keyboard for music production, and it really helped me expand my music production skills. In conjunction with a music theory class I took last semester, I was able to improve greatly and learn new production techniques. I had been producing for about 4 years and the keyboard helped me take my production skills to a new level." — Hisham Issak ‘24, Business major
Outcomes
"The grant paid for an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription that I used to design labels for campus art exhibitions. I also experimented with using the software to create inscriptions for Chinese traditional seal carving, which I then laser cut onto the side of the stone. I will continue this work next year!" — Angela Sun ‘23, Art History major [with photo]
"This grant gave me the platform to utilize Brandeis resources and collaborate with departments and other creatives to catalyze my creative endeavors as a non-art major, such as my ongoing 'Black Girlhood' magazine project." — Logan Shanks ‘24, AAAS and English major [with photo]
Outcomes
"I couldn’t afford the editing software I needed to complete a series of four music videos. This grant allowed me to purchase the software, complete my project and present it during the Festival of the Arts." — Jacob Krah ‘23, Chemical Biology major [with photo]
"This grant gave me the freedom to explore new mediums of painting and practicing sustainable mechanics like planting. With this support I was able to use time I would normally have had to work to research my inspiration for the project: Pauli Murray, and develop a plan to share their narrative." — Cassipea Stith ‘22, AAAS and WGS major [with photo]
Room to Grow
Asked to choose from a list of things that would be helpful for future participants, most respondents said that the opportunity to share creative work and to meet as a group to reflect and share resources would be helpful. One senior suggested creating an alumni network.
[with photo] “Jordy” by Delaine Gneco De La Cruz ‘23 (Film, Television, and Interactive Media major)