ARTNOIR’s Larry Ossei-Mensah on Expanding the Jar of Love Fund with Sotheby’s and SR_A

ARTNOIR, the collective known as the non-profit organization to host “field trips” to art world happenings, team up once again with Sotheby’s to bring back and now expand the ongoing Jar of Love Fund. In its second year of collaboration, this grant plans to reach creatives in both New York and London and brings on Dr. Samuel Ross’ MBE’s Black British Artist Grants Programme by SR_A for additional support.

Founded in 2020 by ARTNOIR, the Jar of Love Fund is a microgrant initiative set to provide unrestricted grants, mentorship and career development for artists, designers, curators and cultural producers of color. During their first year partnership, ARTNOIR and Sotheby's awarded grants to 50 grantees and distributed over $50,000 to support artists and creatives. This year, the grantees will be selected by a new committee of art industry peers like Jenée-Daria Strand, Assistant Curator at Public Art Fund, Dr. Gus Casely-Hayford, OBE, Art Historian, Broadcaster and Director of V&A East and many more.

artcurrently caught up with Larry Ossei-Mensah, both co-founder of ARTNOIR and independent curator, in an interview.

What was the inspiration behind ARTNOIR and Sotheby’s Jar of Love Fund initially and how has the program evolved since its first iteration?

The ARTNOIR and Sotheby’s Jar of Love Fund collaboration was inspired by a desire to expand the impact we could provide grantees in partnership with an organization whose mission aligned with providing support to artists, curators, designers, and cultural producers of color, especially during these uncertain times. In the first year of our partnership with Sotheby’s, we awarded 47 grants. For this second year, we wanted to create cohorts to have a deeper impact and provide professional development services to all New York and London grantees. Additionally, we proudly collaborate with Dr. Samuel Ross x SR_A and The Black British Grant Programme for the London iteration, which we are super excited about.

Is there an example as far as past grantees that you feel has benefited from the fund and how has it impacted their careers, both artistically and personally (if so)?

Cyle Warner, a recipient of the Jar of Love grant, has seen significant benefits in his career and personal life. The unrestricted funding allowed him to focus on his artistic practice without the financial stress, enabling him to produce new works and explore creative projects that he might not have been able to do otherwise. This support has helped elevate his profile in the art community, provided him with new opportunities for exhibitions, and expanded connections with other artists and curators, thus advancing his career and personal growth in meaningful ways.

How does the unrestricted nature of the $5,000 microgrants benefit the recipients compared to more traditional forms of arts funding?

The unrestricted nature of the $5,000 microgrants allows recipients to use the funds as they see fit, offering flexibility that traditional arts funding often lacks. This approach can alleviate immediate financial pressures, support personal or professional needs, and enable artists to focus on their creative practice without stringent guidelines. The Jar of Love Fund fosters greater artistic freedom and sustainability within the creative community by trusting recipients to allocate the funds according to their unique circumstances. Moreover, the cohort format provides access to professional development and a community of like-minded grantees with whom they can continue to grow in their careers.

What are the long-term goals for Jar of Love Fund and where do you envision it in the coming years?

The long-term goals for the Jar of Love Fund include expanding its reach and impact within the arts community by providing ongoing financial support and resources to artists, designers, curators, and cultural producers of color. Over the coming years, we envision the fund growing in scale, offering larger grants, and incorporating additional programs such as more mentorship and professional development opportunities. We aim to create a sustainable ecosystem that continuously nurtures and empowers the creative practices of underrepresented voices in the arts.

Cyle Warner, masquerading with the wind: for health and joy, 2023, Various Fabrics and Inkjet on Fabric, 17 x 12 in

Cyle Warner, Who had you going so?, 2023, various fabric, steel pipe clamp, burlap, acrylic and Inkjet on Fabric on Wood Pannel, 65 x 20 in.