Grants & Placement

The Art Grant Committee is excited to offer grants to help support our local community members in the creation and execution of their artistic endeavors! As a part of our effort to increase community participation and resources, the Art Grant Committee will aim to only award one grant per artist. We encourage those of you who work on multiple projects, or in collaboration with other artists, sound camps and theme camps, to empower different members of your team to take the lead for each project. Once all applications from unique individuals are exhausted, applications from artists who have already received grants this cycle may be considered.

ART TEMPLE THEME CAMP SOUND CAMP

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Discover the creativity of YOUtopia’s community of artists

YOUtopia and the San Diego Collaborative Arts Project nurtures a culture of art and creativity. It is our desire that people be and express who they are and feel. Like Burning Man, the bounds of imagination are limitless for all who participate. Event art can be a little a hand puppet to as large as whole sound camps, vehicles, or art installations. Are you looking for a platform of expression? Submit your ideas for an art grant and get the opportunity to express your imagination to the world.

Here you will find all the information regarding Art Grants and Placement! The Art Grant application covers placed Art, Sound Camps, the Temple, and Theme Camp Art. Please read this entire page and any suggested reading before submitting your application(s).

Display Your Art

You’ve made it here and you’re looking for funds to enable your awesome creative endeavors to make it to YOUtopia this October!

All art: large, small, interactive, introspective, silly, soul stirring …this is the place to complete your Art Grant application – we’re beyond excited to be part of your creative process and helping ensure your vision makes it to YOUtopia this year. YOUtopia typically awards grants up to 50% of the total project costs. Please see the Art Grant FAQs for more.
Fire installations can apply through the art grants, but must also be approved by the Fire Arts Safety Team (FAST). Please review the Fire & Heat Source Policy and if you have any questions about fire, fire rules, and/or requirements, please email fast@sdyoutopia.com.
Art Cars must receive pre-event authorization prior to applying for a grant. Please read the Art Cars FAQ then fill out the Art Car Application Form. Once approved by the DMV you can apply for a grant.
See Grant Restrictions for things the grant can’t be use for.

The Art Grant Application Deadline was September 12, 2023 at 11:59pm and is now CLOSED

Still have questions? Read the Art Grant FAQ or contact the art support team at art@sdyoutopia.com.

ART GRANT APPLICATION ART PLACEMENT REQUEST

The Temple

Art Grant Applications are now closed.

We are unable to burn any large Art at the new venue this year due to fire hazards. Accordingly, the Art that is not burned must be dismantled by the Artist/Art team and removed from the venue property at the conclusion of the event.
YOUtopia in the past has been willing to assist in transportation and volunteer help on site during build/strike, but this is not guaranteed. In your Art Grant Appication, please provide your full plan for the life cycle of the Art piece, including how you plan to transport it.

ART GRANT APPLICATION ART PLACEMENT REQUEST

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Theme Camps

If you’re planning to bring your amazing theme camp to YOUtopia this year and you would like to be considered for a grant to make that happen, you’ve landed in the right place!

Grant funds must be used for artistic projects in making the Theme Camp awesome and interactive. See Grant Restrictions for things the grant can’t be use for.
If you have an art piece that you would like funded you can apply using the Art Grant Application. The artist completing the piece does not need to be the same person as your theme camp lead. The Art Grant Application Deadline was September 12, 2023 at 11:59pm and is now CLOSED.
Your piece can be placed as a part of your theme camp’s interactive gifts to the event, or placed separately from your camp. If the piece will not be within your camp, you must fill out a separate art placement form. If it is within your camp, please include it in your camp’s layout with your Theme Camp Placement Application.

The Theme Camp/Sound Camp Placement Application Deadline was September 16, 2023 at 11:59pm and is now CLOSED.

Still have questions? Read the Art Grant FAQ or email us at themecamps@sdyoutopia.com, or art@sdyoutopia.com.

ART GRANT APPLICATION THEME CAMP PLACEMENT

Sound Camps

Do you have a dope set-up and solid DJs? We can help get you to YOUtopia

Please read the Sound Policy.
See Grant Restrictions for things the grant can’t be use for.
If your camp provides a solid sound setup and a diverse set of musics, you can apply using the Art Grant Application. The Art Grant Application Deadline was September 12, 2023 at 11:59pm and is now CLOSED.
Placement throughout our new city will be determined by your size, anticipated sound levels, and proximity to other sound camps. There will be a limited number of grant awards for sound camps – so apply early at Sound Camp Placement Application.

The Theme Camp/Sound Camp Placement Application Deadline was September 16, 2023 at 11:59pm and is now CLOSED.

Still have questions? Read the Art Grant FAQ or email us at themecamps@sdyoutopia.com, or art@sdyoutopia.com.

ART GRANT APPLICATION THEME CAMP PLACEMENT

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Art Grant FAQ

Will my art project/theme camp be placed if I apply for a grant?

No not automatically – you need to fill out a separate Placement Application Form for all Art and Theme Camps. These are separate from the Art Grant Applications for Art or Theme Camps. Placement Application forms can be found below:

Theme Camp & Sound Camp Placement Application Form
Art Placement Request Form

Get your application in as soon as possible!

The deadline to submit the Placement Applications for Theme Camp/Sound Camps and Art (whether or not you are requesting a Grant) was September 16, 2023 at 11:59 pm and is now CLOSED.

Is there a deadline to submit my Art Grant Application?

Yes! The deadline for Art Grants is September 12, 2023 at 11:59pm.

What if I don’t need a grant and just want my art placed?

The Placement team would be happy to help you with that! Please fill out this application and the Placement team will contact you for placement. The deadline to fill out this application was September 16, 2023 at 11:59 pm and is now CLOSED

YOUtopia Fall 2023 Art Placement Request Form

What are the most important factors the Art Grant Committee considers?

BUDGET!

Research all your costs and break it down per item. Take your time and think through every aspect of the projected expenses.

Check out this sample budget to get an idea of how it’s done.

You can also email art@sdyoutopia.com.

How much of the projected cost of a project will YOUtopia generally fund?

As a general guideline, we rarely provide a grant for more than 50% of the total cost of the project. This year, due to budget constraints, art grants will be no more than $599 per person awarded.

What are the requirements to fulfill my end of the bargain if I’m funded?

Finish and install your project at the event! You have until noon Thursday to be up and running. A member of the Art Curation team will inspect your project to check it off for completion.

Projects that are unfinished by the deadline face possible request for return of granted funds.

If you have issues completing your project contact us ahead of time for assistance at art@sdyoutopia.com

What kind of expenses and budget items are NOT eligible for grants?

In general, food, drink, and wages paid to artists are NOT permitted in any funding request.

Additionally, if you are a Sound or Theme Camp, we will no fund the purchase of sound equipment.

Can I have lasers on my art piece?

NO HIGH POWERED LASERS without advance approval because they are potentially dangerous. Read oue Laser Policy

Mounted lasers are only permitted on Art Pieces, or in Theme Camps if they comply with specific restrictions and have PRIOR approval.

If you are planning to include lasers in your project, you will need to email the Safety Team to get approval: safety@sdyoutopia.com

How are reduced price artist tickets being handled this year?

Due to budget constraints, we are unfortunately not able to offer reduced price tickets this year. However, we will still be assisting artists in getting their art to the event via Art Grants.

Vehicle passes, car camping tickets, and/or RV tickets to keep you vehicle in camp.

You may be able to park in a theme camp or in open camping with a purchased parking permit. RV’s and large trailers must also get a permit.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL approved RV’s and large trailers MUST be placed behind frontage areas and/or tucked away as out of sight as is possible. They will not be allowed to be a part of a camp’s frontage unless they are specifically needed for that frontage.

NO VEHICLE PASSES WILL BE SOLD AT THE GATE.

If awarded, how soon will I receive my grant funds?

You will receive notification of any grant award within a week after the grant committee meeting.

After that you’ll need to email back a couple of completed forms, then within a week or two you should receive a check. Please keep an eye out for these forms and respond promptly. The sooner we receive those the sooner you can receive a check.

Email art@sdyoutopia.com if you have any further questions about the grant process.

Grant Restrictions

Art Grant Funds are not granted to cover the cost of:

Infrastructure
Generators, domes, pavilions, furniture, any pre-built durable items intended to build out a camp. We have, on occasion, partially funded the purchase of equipment to build such structures.

Costumes
Pre-constructed costume pieces purchased, or materials intended specifically for the construction of personal costumes for a performance.

Disposable Consumables
Food and beverages (alcoholic or otherwise) intended for distribution or personal consumption, serveware such as plates and cups, earplugs, condoms, personal hygiene items.

Rental Equipment
Generators, sound equipment, lighting equipment, stages.

Additional Restrictions

Wages: any funds or other consideration paid to the artist or build team.
Travel costs: artist and crew travel expenses e.g. hotel, airfare
Project storage or rental fees.
Any and all promotional materials.
Any project or piece that is deemed unsafe.
Legal costs: LLC formation, insurance.

* This list is not exhaustive and may be updated in the future.