Ava DuVernay launches $250,000 fund for women and creators of color amid COVID-19

Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Alliance, a non-profit organization, has launched a $250,000 fund meant to provide grants for creatives who set out to be the voice of the underrepresented communities, most importantly those suffering from the global pandemic COVID-19.

“Establishing ARRAY Grants furthers ARRAY’s mission to support arts advocates around the country that are cultural necessities in their communities. With more content from creators of color and women being made, it’s crucial to support the organizations that nurture and nourish these voices,” ARRAY Alliance executive director Regina Miller said in a statement.

“In just the last few weeks, we’ve all gained a new appreciation for the value of human connection and the simple comfort of being together, sharing stories, in a place that feels safe and welcoming. Every community deserves that.”

Grants of $10,000 were given to independently owned film festivals and screening series which showcase diversity in their stories but have not been able to function to their full capacity due to the lockdown. There were 14 beneficiaries, including Cinema Sala, Lumbee Film Festival, Cine Latino Film Festival, IllumiNative.

Sharing the news on her Instagram page, DuVernay wrote: “Our non-profit foundation ARRAY Alliance has launched a $250,000 funding initiative, ARRAY Grants. The goal of ARRAY Grants is to provide vital financial support to grassroots entities that serve as cultural catalysts for narrative change.

“Our funding focus is organizations and individuals that center people of color and women of all kinds. We can’t let them disappear during this challenging time.”