{"id":376979,"date":"2026-10-19T16:22:19","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T16:22:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/376979\/"},"modified":"2026-10-19T16:22:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T16:22:19","slug":"encouraging-artists-to-make-art-queens-nonprofit-supports-ridgewoods-visual-artists-with-microgrants-and-creative-network-qns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/376979\/","title":{"rendered":"Encouraging artists to make art: Queens nonprofit supports Ridgewood\u2019s visual artists with microgrants and creative network \u2013 QNS"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Tallichet Freedman Foundation<\/a> (TTFF) has a big heart. The Ridgewood<\/a>-based organization understands that there\u2019s a broader cultural appreciation for art\u2019s role in our society today and is helping local makers explore new avenues for recognition and community connection.<\/p>\n

TTFF has been supporting and strengthening Ridgewood\u2019s diverse arts community and encouraging folks to keep making art \u2013 while recognizing the financial barriers and systemic challenges that many creatives face, especially those working outside traditional art world structures, like galleries.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>An artwork from Amelia Heintzelman. Photo courtesy of Walter Wlodarczyk\/The Museum of Modern Art<\/p>\n

Indeed, talented makers of all stripes across Queens have been contributing to their own communities, and to our society\u2019s well-being, in a big way! But their struggles are real: Financial instability and administrative burdens can take a toll, leading to burnout. But a balanced artistic lifestyle, focused on maximizing productive periods, really makes a difference\u2026along with a little \u201cbump\u201d of helpful cash.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>A work of art from Anne Hart. Photo courtesy of Anne Hart
\n\"\"<\/a>Kyra Gregory\u2019s Nightly Routine. Photo courtesy of Kyra Gregory<\/p>\n

Several lucky, hardworking Ridgewood creatives will be getting a little help from their friends at TTFF through unrestricted microgrants and a strong creative network, including filmed studio interviews, gatherings, exhibitions and more.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>An artwork from Maira Senise. Photo courtesy of Maira Senise<\/p>\n

The 2026 microgrant cycle is open! Apply today for a $3,000 microgrant that TTFF will award to 10 visual artists who live and\/or work in Ridgewood (11385 zip code). Each selected artist will also participate in a filmed studio interview produced by TTFF, to document their work and practice. Applications close on Oct. 29 at 10 p.m. (Applicants notified: January 2027). Click here<\/a> to apply.<\/p>\n

For more information: microgrants page<\/a> and FAQ<\/a>.
\n\"\"<\/a>Art from Nickolas Calabrese. Photo courtesy of Nickolas Calabrese\n<\/p>\n

\u201cOur microgrant program has no age restrictions and we support artists at different points in their careers, whether they\u2019re just starting out, have been working for decades, have gallery representation or are working independently,\u201d TTFF\u2019s Director Sabrina Lessard told QNS. \u201cThose working outside traditional art world structures may not have access to established gallery representation, commercial opportunities or institutional networks that often provide visibility and financial support. TTFF\u2019s program is not limited to these artists, but they\u2019re especially interested in reaching those who may be overlooked by these systems.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>An artwork from Andrew Ross. Photo courtesy of Andrew Ross<\/p>\n

Grantees get help through direct financial assistance and community-based programming, which includes \u201cStone\u2019s Throw\u201d \u2013 TTFF\u2019s upcoming exhibition featuring artists from their first two microgrant cycles (Fall 2024\/Spring 2025).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>An artwork from Monte Marin. Photo courtesy of Monte Marin
\n\"\"<\/a>An artwork from Lillian Ansell. Photo courtesy of Lillian Ansell<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss captivating works by twenty visual artists* from Ridgewood. Hosted by Lorimoto Gallery<\/a> (16-23 Hancock St., Ridgewood), the show will run from Nov. 2-15 and will be open Tuesday through Sunday, from 12 to 6 p.m. Stop by and experience a thought-provoking, collective portrait of that unique, vibrant neighborhood \u2013 showcasing sculpture, drawing, painting, photography, performance and design. Opening reception: Monday, Nov. 2, 6 to 9 p.m. A panel discussion and performance will take place Saturday, Nov. 14, at 6:30 p.m. \u2013 hosted by writer, curator and educator Sara Nadal-Melsi\u00f3.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>An artwork from Emily Janowick. Photo courtesy of Emily Janowick
\n\"\"<\/a>An artwork from Steven Bukowski. Photo courtesy of Daniel Cochran<\/p>\n

*Lillian Ansell, Steven Bukowski, Nickolas Calabrese, Marilla Cubberley, Hillary Gabryel, Kyra Gregory, Apolline Guillerot-Malick, Anne Hart, Amelia Heintzelman, Michelle Im, Maite Iribarren V\u00e1zquez, Emily Janowick, Monte Marin, Devin Osorio, TJ Proechel, Andrew Ross, Ma\u00edra Senise, Jeanette Spicer, Alina Tenser and Sarah Trigg. At the time of their grant awards, all lived or worked in Ridgewood, and most continue to do so today.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>An artwork from Maite Iribarren V\u00e1zquez. Photo courtesy of Kunning Huang<\/p>\n

\u201cTTFF\u2019s support is very meaningful to me. Receiving the microgrant came at a time when I needed to invest in materials crucial to my large-scale sculptural practice,\u201d\u00a0 Fall 2024 Grantee Hilliary Gabryel said. \u201cAnd I\u2019m thrilled to be a part of what\u2019s going to be a great show!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>One of Hilliary Gabryel\u2019s art pieces. Photo courtesy of Ben Heyer<\/p>\n

\u201cThe idea for \u2018Stone\u2019s Throw\u2019 grew out of our microgrant program. We\u2019re now in our fourth cycle, and with each round we\u2019ve had the opportunity to learn more about the artists selected by our independent selection committee, their work and their relationship to the neighborhood,\u201d TTFF Founder and Director Jude Tallichet said. \u201cAll 20 artists have a connection to Ridgewood, but what becomes interesting when you bring their work together, are the relationships that emerge between different practices, materials and ideas. We\u2019re excited to explore those connections and share the artists\u2019 work with our community. We were able to produce this exhibition with support from the Statewide Community Regrant program, administered by Flushing Town Hall<\/a>, and we\u2019re incredibly grateful for that support.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>One of the artworks from Michelle Im. Photo courtesy of John Michael Kohler Arts Center and Kohler Co.<\/p>\n

These lucky grantees also weighed in:<\/p>\n

\u201cSupport for artists is so needed right now, more than ever! It\u2019s not just a financial form of support \u2013 it\u2019s also building a community here in Ridgewood, specifically, but also among working artists in general, who are trying to survive the affordability crisis we are in. I\u2019ve been in NYC since 1996, and Ridgewood for over 10 years, and have never experienced conditions so bad,\u201d Fall 2024 Grantee Sarah Trigg said. \u201cTTFF was my first monetary grant award despite applying for dozens throughout the years. It became a crucial steppingstone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>One of Sarah Trigg\u2019s artworks. Photo courtesy of Sarah Trigg<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve lived in Ridgewood since 2013, in a neighborhood with a remarkable concentration of artists, many of us applying for the same few major grants, fellowships and residencies. When fellow grantee Emily Janowick first told me about TTFF, I was surprised and heartened,\u201d\u00a0 Spring 2025 Grantee Alina Tenser said. \u201cFor me and the other artists in \u2018Stone\u2019s Throw,\u2019 unrestricted support like this makes a real difference, whether it goes toward rent, childcare or materials. I hope this model is adopted in more neighborhoods around NYC!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>One of Alina Tenser\u2019s artworks. Photo courtesy of Jimmy Gorman<\/p>\n

\u201cThe microgrant provided a foundation of support that allowed me to further develop both my multimedia and participatory practices, while strengthening my ability to pursue other opportunities,\u201d Spring 2025 Grantee Devin Osorio said. \u201cBeyond the wonderful cohort of artists I\u2019m now part of, and the openness, honesty and sincerity of the TTFF team, the most meaningful part was the studio visit. I was asked questions that pushed me to explore new ideas and research avenues that have since expanded the landscape of my practice. Being part of \u2018Stone\u2019s Throw\u2019 feels like an opportunity to share how I\u2019ve grown, both as an artist and as a neighbor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>One of Devin Osorio\u2019s artworks. Photo courtesy of Christian Rodriguez<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Tallichet Freedman Foundation (TTFF) has a big heart. The Ridgewood-based organization understands that there\u2019s a broader cultural…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":376980,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[138673,9,24,63,122,124,123,138674,138675,138676],"class_list":["post-376979","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-queens","tag-micro-grant","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-nyc","tag-queens","tag-queens-headlines","tag-queens-news","tag-tallichet-freedman-foundation","tag-ttff","tag-ttff-grants"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/376979","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=376979"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/376979\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/376980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=376979"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=376979"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=376979"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}