In 2018, Madison artists Brenda Baker and Bird Ross set out to see if they could do their part to bring more financial equity to women visual artists right here at home. Their message that artists bring integrity, vitality, diversity, and joy to this community and improve the quality of life for everyone was heard, and the Women Artists Forward Fund was born.
With the support of generous souls in Dane County, Baker and Ross created the fund, held at the Madison Community Foundation, to address gender disparity affecting women artists locally. Through the annual Forward Art Prize, the Fund provides direct financial support to strengthen their practice and bring recognition and community support.
Annually and in perpetuity, the Forward Art Prize funds two unrestricted $10,000 awards to female-identifying visual artists living in Dane County who show exceptional creativity and compelling prospects for the future. The Prize is awarded through an independent jury and application process and recognizes artists who are deeply committed to their practice, inspiring new ways of thinking and making while engaging people throughout the region.
With this exhibition, on view at the James Watrous Gallery through August 4, 5-10-100: Women Artists Forward, we celebrate the first 5 years of prizes for l0 remarkable women with over l00 thousand dollars awarded in unrestricted funds supporting their professional practice.
The first 5 years of the Forward Art Prizes have been awarded to Jennifer Angus, Adriana Barrios, Mary Bero, Yeonhee Cheong, Angelica Contreras, Lilada Gee, Dakota Mace, Katherine Steichen Rosing, Alice Traore, and Babette Wainwright.
