Community Arts Program
History
In 2020, Duolingo announced that it was committing $150,000 to support local artists and arts organizations by providing funding and resources for public art projects.
The commitment was announced in celebration of Ann Lewis’ To Be Human mural on Duolingo’s East Liberty headquarters, created in collaboration with students at the nearby Barack Obama Academy of International Studies.
Following To Be Human, grants were awarded to Natiq Jalil and Alison Zapata for the creation of a new mural, and filmmaker Chris Ivey for the creation of a new film series. Jalil and Zapata’s mural debuted in April 2022 on East Liberty Place South, an apartment complex across the street from Duolingo. Ivey’s first film in the series, We Rise Together (2020), tells the story of Ann Lewis’ To Be Human, while his second film The Legacy of Butterflies (2022), tells the story of Jalil and Zapata’s mural and its subject, Cecilia Price-Knight.
The initial commitment also included a sponsorship of Kelly Strayhorn Theater, a neighborhood venue whose programming creates opportunities for local talent, with a Pay What Moves You admission policy that ensures performances are accessible for all.
A part of the Community Arts Program’s mission is to support organizations who are engaging artists from the region and creating a platform for their work to exist in East Liberty and surrounding neighborhoods.
Recent community sponsorships include Silver Eye Center for Photography’s regional biennial, Radial Survey, Vol 2. (2021 – 2022); a screening of Mikael Owunna & Marques Redd’s Obi Mbu (The Primordial House): An Igbo Creation Myth (2021) at Kelly Strayhorn Theater; and Crossings, a forthcoming performance at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater presented by Hill Dance Academy Theatre & Pittsburgh Youth Chorus.
The Community Arts Program continues and expands Duolingo’s commitment to artists and art organizations. Artists will now be able to apply to fund projects based in East Liberty, as well as nearby communities Garfield and Larimer. Arts organizations in the same area are now able to apply for funding to support art education and professional development programs.
Meet the 2024 Duolingo Arts Program grant recipients.
Program Guidelines
Duolingo wishes to celebrate the arts in East Liberty and surrounding neighborhoods by supporting creative projects through its Community Arts Program. The Community Arts Program invites artists to apply for up to $5,000 to fund artistic programming that takes place in or near East Liberty. The following categories will be supported at Duolingo’s discretion: public art, indoor exhibitions, performance art, performing arts, art education, and creative social practice work. The Community Arts Program also seeks to make art education resources accessible and will provide a limited number of scholarships for art making classes, workshops, studio access and lab memberships at arts-based non-profits in East Liberty and surrounding communities.
For more information, refer to the guidelines below. For any questions, please email communityart@duolingo.com.
Funding Streams
– Artistic/Creative Social Practice Projects
– Arts education and professional development scholarships
Stream 1: Artistic/Creative Social Practice Projects
Awards
Ranging from $500-$5,000
Eligibility
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must live and/or work in the Greater Pittsburgh area, but preference will be given to applicants from East Liberty, Garfield, and Larimer.
- All career levels welcome
Criteria
- This funding stream will provide support for artistic projects that fall under the following categories: public art, indoor exhibitions, performance art, performing arts, art education, and creative social practice work
- Projects should inspire inclusivity and diversity and contribute to the ever growing arts community of East Liberty and surrounding neighborhoods
- All projects must consider East Liberty, Garfield or Larimer communities, whether in their execution, programming, or participation
- Applicants can apply as individuals or as a collective
- Project vision and artistic merit will be considered
Submission process
- Artist(s) statement
- Project description
- Basic project budget (this can just be the amount requested)
- Up to 10 images or work samples (if submitting video or audio samples, please include link(s) to media sharing platform(s) i.e., YouTube, SoundCloud, etc.)
- Resume / CV
- Submission form – https://forms.gle/sNg2fozeTi5zKosSA
- To access the Google form, a Google account is required. If you do not have a Google account and would like to create one, you can do so for free here. If you are not able or prefer not to create a Google account, please email your submission to communityart@duolingo.com. Files may be no larger than 10MB.
Selection Process
- Applications will be accepted from January 1 – March 30
- Recipients will be notified within 30 days after the deadline
- Payments will be issued by May 31
- A panel will convene to select recipients
- Panel to include Head of Social Impact, Community Engagement Specialist (Contractor), at least one other Duolingo employee, and one community member (NOTE: Community members will be offered an honorarium for their time)
If awarded, Duolingo requests a short narrative summary within 12 months after payments are received, discussing the project’s impact on the community. Up to 500 words or 3 minutes of video.
Stream 2: Arts Education and Professional Development Scholarships
Awards up to $5,000
Eligibility
- Non-profit arts organizations operating in East Liberty, Garfield, and Larimer.
Criteria
- Provide arts education programming or professional development opportunities for local artists through art making classes, workshops, studio access and lab memberships
Submission process
- Eligible organizations will be invited to apply by the Social Impact team
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for funding?
All residents of Allegheny County who are proposing projects that take place in East Liberty, Garfield, or Larimer are eligible.
Who decides who is awarded funding?
A panel made up of Duolingo’s Head of Social Impact, Community Engagement Specialist (Contractor), at least one other Duolingo employee, and one community member.
When does the project need to occur?
The project does not have to be completed within a certain time but you should be able to summarize progress within a 12 month period.
Are there limits to what I can use the money for?
The funds may be used in any way to develop the project.
Do I need a nonprofit fiscal sponsor?
Fiscal sponsorship or 501(c)(3) status is not required to apply.
How many projects can I apply for?
You may apply for one project per application round. If awarded, you must wait one year before applying again.
How many projects will be funded?
The number of projects funded will be determined by Duolingo in its discretion based on available funding and the amount requested per awarded project.