Valor is an Atlanta-based venture capital firm that believes the next trillion-dollar market-cap companies will come from the diverse, inclusive and sustainable world we are building together. Our partners include foundations, organizations, wealthy families and individuals who are investing in this future.  Each holiday season, we celebrate our work together with a gift of art that inspires. That is how the annual Art of Inclusion Art Commission was born.

Applying for the Valor Annual Art of Inclusion Commission

The individual selected will receive:

1. $5,000.
2. Their art, bio and contact information will be reproduced and shared with Valor’s partners as a holiday gift. The Title will be memorialized on a web page with the art, creating a series of art focused on inclusion over time. The work will be celebrated in social posts and announcements.
3. The artist will be interviewed on the art and its inspiration on the Atlanta Startup Podcast, reaching thousands of innovators.
4. The artist will be invited to Valor’s signature in-person events in the following year.

Qualifications:

1. An original idea
   Original Art that helps people experience a new level of understanding of and appreciation for the transformative power of inclusion, and that respects the last year’s mood in Georgia. For example, for 2020, our art was themed around healing. In 2023, we sense themes of uncertainty vying with themes of opportunity from the economy, AI, and an election year on the horizon. We’re looking for an artist that can work with the now, and create something timeless.
2. The artist
   Working artists who embody inclusion in their art, background and life experiences. Full time artists, emerging artists and student artists are especially encouraged to apply.
3. Geography.
   This commission is limited to artists who live in Georgia. You are not visiting–Georgia is your residence.
4. Media. 
   This award is media agnostic. However, because the artwork will be reproduced as a limited  signed and numbered series, we do need it to be reproducible for no more than $50 per copy.
   Surprise us! Watercolor, silk painting, laser cutting, 3D printing, lost wax, wearable art–if it’s a visual media or wearable and we can give it to our partners, it’s a great media for this commission. We will reproduce ~70 limited, numbered editions of the original work that we will ask the artist to autograph.

Timeline

Applications are open the entire year.

SEPTEMBER.
The cut-off to apply for Artist of the Year 2023 is September 30, 2023.

OCTOBER.
The individual who earns the commission will be notified in early October. Through October, the final piece will be completed if it is not already finalized by the time of notification.

NOVEMBER.
Generally, the piece is reproduced in the first 3 weeks of November.

DECEMBER.
The art gifts are mailed the first week of December so Valor partners receive them in time for the holiday season and New Year.

Applications for 2023 are OPEN!