Artist and writer awarded grants for work advancing social justice

Two Northern Kentucky women were awarded grants in the latest round of funding from the Kentucky Foundation for Women.

The grants provide opportunities for feminist artists and arts organizations to develop new skills and share art that advances social justice in Kentucky.

Michelle Donahue, of Hebron, was awarded $1,941 to allow time to research and complete a novel manuscript, described as an environmental dystopia that loosely reimagines the ancient epic poem “Gilgamesh” and the American classic novel “Moby-Dick” from a feminist perspective.

Donahue is an assistant professor of creative writing at Northern Kentucky University. Her writing has been published in South Dakota Review, Sycamore Review, CutBank, Arts & Letters and other publication.

Sydney Greene, originally of Union, was awarded $2,970 to source the raw materials necessary to create a series of paintings that will visually note the similarity between the exploitations of women’s bodies and the earth, the Foundation says.
 
Greene is a multidisciplinary artist with a focus on painting. She was educated at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and has exhibited at The Carnegie and elsewhere.

The Kentucky Foundation for Women awarded 36 Artist Enrichment grants totaling $165,207 to Kentucky feminist artists and arts organizations committed to creating positive social change throughout the state. Applicants may request funds to participate in artist residencies, explore new areas or techniques, or build bodies of work.

“Their projects will build community as these artists grow their expertise and create new paths to social change,” says Sharon LaRue, executive director of the foundation. “This work will lead us to a more equitable, just Kentucky.” 

The Foundation is a private foundation organized in 1985 by Sallie Bingham, an author, playwright, and poet, and the eldest daughter of Barry Bingham Sr., who owned the Louisville Courier-Journal and other Kentucky media properties.