Creative Exchange Fund 25/26: Platform

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Creative Exchange Fund 25/26 

Welcome to the Creative Exchange Fund (CXF)! Now in its third year, CXF supports artists, creatives, and cultural organizers with funding and free space to take creative risks. With five different opportunities, the program helps bring bold and experimental performances, community events, artist residencies, and exhibitions to life at The Medium.

These guidelines will help you understand the program timeline, eligibility, funding details, and best practices for submitting your application through Submittable.

 Best Practices for Using Submittable

  • Check Your Browser: Submittable works best on Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Internet Explorer is not supported. Please make sure you are using a supported browser. If possible, please use a laptop or desktop computer rather than a mobile device.
  • Start Early and Submit Early: Don’t wait until the last minute! Submissions close at exactly 5 PM CT on May 5, 2025—no exceptions.  Note: Even if you click "submit" before 5:00 PM, your application might not go through if it’s still loading after the deadline, so try to submit a few minutes early to be safe!
  • Save Your Work: Draft your responses separately before pasting them into Submittable.
  • Be Concise: Stick to the word limits and make your responses clear and engaging.
  • Upload Supporting Materials Thoughtfully: 
  • When uploading files, you can find the acceptable file types under the "Choose File" button on the application. 
  • Keep written samples under two pages
  • Audio & video submissions should not exceed 5 minutes
  • Max file size: 400MB per upload
  • Double-Check Before Submitting: Once you submit, you cannot make edits!  

Program Timeline

  • Applications Open: April 17, 2025
  • Applications Close: May 5, 2025, at 5 PM CT
  • Award Notifications: June 11, 2025
  • Cohort Meet & Greet: July 15, 2025
  • Work Period: Varies by fund (see details below)  

Explore CXF Funding Opportunities

Click here to check out all the available CXF funds, including what they support, how much funding you can receive, who’s eligible, and when each project would take place.

Eligibility

Each fund has different residency requirements:

  • Producers & Spectra (Indoor & Outdoor): No residency requirement, but at least 50% of participants should be Arkansas-based.
  • Platform: Applicants must live in Benton, Washington, Madison, Crawford, Carroll, or Sebastian counties.
  • Mixtape Music Series: No residency requirement, but priority is given to Arkansas-based artists.
  • Medium Artist Residencies: Applicants must live in Benton or Washington County.

Applicants can only apply as a lead artist for one CXF opportunity per year. However, they can participate in other projects as a collaborator.

Evaluation & Selection

A strong application clearly describes your project, its impact, and how you will execute it successfully.

  • Producers & Mixtape Music Series: Eligibility Selection process for fairness and accessibility.
  • Platform, Residencies, and Spectra: Reviewed by a panel based on the following weighted criteria:                                                                                
  • Risk-Taking & Creative Exploration (35%) - How well does your project push artistic boundaries and embrace new ideas?                                                                                                                                                
  • Creative Exploration is trying new ideas or techniques that help an artist grow and push their creativity. (Example: An oil painter applies for the Medium Artist Residencies and wants to try digital art for the first time.  They propose creating a series of digital paintings and want to host an open studio where they show both their process and final work, sharing what they learned with the community.)
  • Risk-Taking is the act of stepping into the unknown by experimenting, reaching new audiences, or collaborating in ways that may not have a guaranteed outcome.  (Example: A spoken word artist applies for the Platform fund.  They want to collaborate with a musician and a dance group to create a live show mixing poetry, music, and projected art. Since they’ve never worked together before, they’re unsure how it will turn out, but they propose taking the risk to create something new and share it with a combined audience.)
  • In short: Creative Exploration = Growing your own skills and Risk-Taking = Stepping outside your comfort zone with no guaranteed result
  • Grant & Funding Experience (25%) - Preference is given to applicants with little or no prior funding for their creative work.
  • Local Participation & Project Impact (10%) - The project benefits the local community, artists, and/or audiences.
  • Planning & Feasibility (10%) - The strength of the project’s timeline, budget, and logistics.
  • Supporting Materials (5%) - Include materials to showcase your vision and past work or to illustrate the proposed project.

 

Support & Resources

We’re here to help! Applicants can:

What Happens Next?

Once applications close, selections will be made, and applicants will be notified of their status on June 11, 2025. If awarded, you will:

  • Sign a funding agreement.
  • Receive funding upfront.
  • Attend the CXF 25/26 cohort Meet & Greet on July 15
  • Work with The Medium to schedule your project.
  • Complete a simple post-program assessment.

Final Thoughts

We’re so excited to see your creative ideas come to life! CXF is about taking risks, pushing boundaries, and making space for bold artistic expression. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help!
 

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