FDC GRANT PROGRAM

In 2020, the Female Design Council created and launched a design-focused grant program to support Womxn of Color in the fields of design, architecture and applied arts.

The inaugural juried grant, GRANT 01 was designed to support the ideas of Black Womxn designers in the United States awarding two $2,500 USD financial grants to emerging designers, providing financial resources to bring their ideas into prototyping and/or production. 

Resources are critical when building or scaling your design business.  It’s even harder if you are Black, Asian, Native American, or any other womxn of color. Rather than wait for capital and mentorship, we decided to create the change we want to see.

The Female Design Council Grant 01 was made in partnership with Incollect and BZIPPY.

GRANT O1

We believe we are stronger together. Our ongoing goal is to engage strong partners to support our vision of equity in design. In 2021, we partnered with NICOLEHOLLIS to launch the second WOC grant.

The FDC + NICOLEHOLLIS Grant, GRANT 02, was established to award one $15,000 financial prize to a U.S.-based designer of color or interior design or architrecture firm led by women of color. The grant was designed to provide necessary financial support for the expansion of company size or the production of a new design collection, and also included professional mentorship from the NICOLEHOLLIS team.

This is a combined ongoing investment to: (1) empower and support women of color in design & architecture, (2) provide a platform for young creatives to see themselves in successful role models, and (3) have a network of other creatives supporting their professional growth. 

GRANT O2

2022 FDC +
NICOLE HOLLIS
GRANT WINNER:

For Grant 02, a jury of esteemed professionals came together to review the 40+ submissions. The jury was led by Nicole Hollis and FDC Founder, Lora Appleton, with:

Tiana Webb Evans, Founder of ESP Group, Jamaica Art Society and Yard Concept
Michael K. Chen, Founder of MKCA and Co-founder of Design Advocates
Alison Levasseur, Global Interiors & Garden Editor of Architectural Digest
Nina Cooke John, Founder of Studio Cooke John 

The FDC + NICOLEHOLLIS Grant was funded by a NICOLEHOLLIS-held auction with generous participation from galleries including Friedman Benda, Gallery FUMI, The Future Perfect, Jessica Silverman, Cristina Grajales and others. We are so very grateful to our community, Nicole, and the NH team.

2022 Grant Honorees

The FDC and NICOLEHOLLIS Grant chose 5 additional designers whose work deserves focus. These designers are being acknowledged for their talent, successful grant proposals, and strong documentation to support their proposed projects.

  • ANNE DEVEREAU

    GRANT 02 HONOREE

  • Cherub "Chopp" Stewart

    GRANT 02 HONOREE

  • TERUKO KUSHI

    GRANT 02 HONOREE

  • URVI SHARMA

    GRANT 02 HONOREE

  • LAURA CASANAS MAYA

    GRANT 02 HONOREE

Female Design Council Grant 01 Winners include furniture designer Laum Melake & leather artisan + designer, Mia Wright-Ross! Honoree recognition went to: Ebere Agwuncha, Aliana Grace Bailey, Sekoi Cooper, Nia Musiba, Nifemi Ogunro and Kesiena Onosigho.

2021 Grant Winners + Honorees

JURY / SELECTION COMMITTEE:

Lora Appleton / Founder, Female Design Council + kinder MODERN
Malene Barnett / Founder, BADG + Artist
Bari Ziperstein / Founder, BZIPPY + Artist
John Smiroldo / Founder, Incollect
Alyse Archer Coite / Design Researcher

*The Female Design Council Grant 01 was funded in partnership with Incollect and BZIPPY.

  • LUAM MELAKE

    GRANT 01 WINNER

  • MIA WRIGHT ROSS

    GRANT 01 WINNER

  • EBERE AGWUNCHA

    GRANT 01 HONOREE

  • ALIANA GRACE BAILEY

    GRANT 01 HONOREE

  • SEKOI COOPER

    GRANT 01 HONOREE

  • NIA MUSIBA

    GRANT 01 HONOREE

  • NIFEMI OGUNRO

    GRANT 01 HONOREE