For Charlottesville SOUP, we seek applications from Charlottesville artists in need of funds for a creative project. Applications are not currently open.

Photo Credit: Lauren Stonestreet

Photo Credit: Lauren Stonestreet

We encourage artists, writers, dancers, filmmakers, musicians, performance artists, and makers to apply. Each presenter is guaranteed $100, and the average SOUP grant is around $3,000.

Grant Applications Details

Artists with a project can apply for a SOUP grant to support any expenses required to help them complete a creative project. For example, artists could:

• apply for financial help to record an album;
• pay the tuition for a class you want to take;
• offset the costs you’ll incur while taking time off work to do an artist residency;
• pay for framing your work for an exhibit;
• or receive financial support for many other components of a creative project (see past events to see how other artists have used the SOUP grant).

When an application is reviewed by a community panel, several factors are considered, including artistic merit and feasibility. You can demonstrate feasibility through your budget, your description of your relevant past experience, and your project’s timeline. Preference is given to applications that can use the SOUP grant in the current calendar year.

We’ve intentionally kept the application process simple. We ask that applicants keep their answers short and concise. 

The only other requirement is that an applicant’s project is shared with Charlottesville in some way. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the project must be able to be shared safely (virtually, outdoors, etc).

Applicants don’t have to consider themselves “an artist” to apply. They definitely do not need to have gone to art school or be a “professional artist” or anything formal like that. Anyone can apply for a SOUP grant. They just need to have a creative project in the arts for which they need some funding. For a full list of previous SOUP presenters and grantees, browse our past events.

For each SOUP, we choose up to four projects for consideration. If we pick your proposal, you will have the opportunity to give a short presentation at SOUP (4 minutes). Following your presentation, we will take questions from attendees. At the end of the meal, everyone votes and the winning project receives the proceeds raised from that night’s SOUP. You must be able to attend SOUP to deliver your presentation in person.