The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs is pleased to announce $156,000 in awards to 45 individual artists working in the visual, literary and media arts. The  CityArtist Projects annual funding program assists individual artists based in Seattle to develop and present their work.

“Individual artists are the foundation of a creative community,” said Mayor Mike McGinn. “By investing in artists’ work, we help bring their visions to life and engage and inspire the community in a range of topics, from the changing character of our neighborhoods to race and identity.”

The 2012 program received 134 applicants. Twenty-three of the 45 artists funded are first-time recipients, representing 51 percent of the awards. Award amounts are set at $2,000 or $4,000 and projects must be realized between May and December 2012. A peer-review panel evaluated the project proposals based on criteria including artistic merit and public access or impact.

CityArtists supports new works, works-in-progress or works taken to the next stage. All projects must incorporate a public presentation. Funding is offered to different artistic disciplines in alternating years. In 2011, CityArtists awarded $200,000 to 44 individual artists working in the performing arts. Applications will open in May for 2013 awards in the performing arts.