Knoxville TN, October 15, 2025
News Summary
Waymakers Collective, a grantmaking organization in Knoxville, TN, has initiated a new fund aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ artists in response to recent legislative attacks on creative expression. The ‘Queer Arts Liberation Fund’ will distribute $250,000 through community-driven nominations, enhancing accessibility for underrepresented artists. This initiative reflects an ongoing commitment to empowering marginalized voices and fostering diversity within the arts in Central Appalachia.
Knoxville, TN – Waymakers Collective, a Knoxville-based grantmaking organization, has launched a new grant fund specifically aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ artists following a series of legislative attacks on creative expression in the region. The organization has a long-standing commitment to empowering marginalized voices within the arts community and has distributed over $1.58 million in funding across Central Appalachia since its inception.
In 2025, Waymakers Collective plans to award 35 one-year project grants totaling $175,000 through the “Appalachian Futurism: Creative Liberation Fund.” This initiative focuses on a community-led nomination process to distribute support, allowing local artists to determine how funding is allocated, thus promoting a more inclusive approach to philanthropy. The organization has removed barriers to grant applications, ensuring accessibility for underrepresented artists and organizations, including local beneficiaries such as The Bottom, SpaceCraft, Good Guy Collective, and individual artists like Jonathan “Courageous” Clark.
In response to recent anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the Appalachian region, Waymakers Collective received a significant donation of $250,000 aimed specifically at supporting LGBTQ+ artists, organizations, and cultural workers. This funding will support the Queer Arts Liberation Fund, which seeks to promote projects that amplify LGBTQ+ voices and foster creative expression within the region. Applications for the Queer Arts Liberation Fund opened on April 2 and will close on April 30, with grants of $5,000 awarded based on community voting.
From 2020 to 2023, Waymakers Collective awarded a total of 241 grants amounting to $1.2 million, with approximately 40% of those going to Black, Indigenous, and people of color. The organization is structured to empower previous grantees, allowing them governance power in decision-making processes through an eight-person steering committee known as “AppalCore.” This structure ensures that community members have a voice in the funding process, moving away from extractive philanthropic practices that treat communities as mere data sources.
Joe Tolbert Jr., the Executive Director of Waymakers Collective, emphasizes the organization’s commitment to a broader understanding of Appalachia’s identity. Growing up in Knoxville, Tolbert felt underrepresented in the narrative of the region, leading him to adopt the term “Affrilachian” to describe a more inclusive perspective. Additionally, the organization focuses on “Appalachian Futurism,” which aims to create equitable justice, foster creative cooperation, and encourage sustainable stewardship within the arts community.
The Waymakers Collective continues to play a crucial role in uplifting marginalized artists and cultural workers in Central Appalachia, as they respond to ongoing challenges and seek to nurture a vibrant artistic community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Waymakers Collective?
Waymakers Collective is a Knoxville-based grantmaking organization focused on supporting artists and culture-bearers.
How much funding has Waymakers Collective distributed?
Since its establishment, Waymakers Collective has distributed over $1.58 million in funding across Central Appalachia.
What are the upcoming grant opportunities from Waymakers Collective?
In 2025, Waymakers will award 35 one-year project grants totaling $175,000 through the “Appalachian Futurism: Creative Liberation Fund.”
What is the Queer Arts Liberation Fund?
The Queer Arts Liberation Fund supports LGBTQ+ artists, organizations, and cultural workers, promoting projects that amplify LGBTQ+ voices in response to recent anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
When will applications for the Queer Arts Liberation Fund open and close?
Applications for the Queer Arts Liberation Fund opened on April 2 and will close on April 30.
What was the total amount awarded to grants from 2020 to 2023?
Waymakers Collective awarded a total of 241 grants amounting to $1.2 million from 2020 to 2023, with approximately 40% going to Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
Key Features of Waymakers Collective
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Knoxville, TN |
| Total Funding Distributed | Over $1.58 million |
| Upcoming Grant Fund | 35 grants totaling $175,000 in 2025 |
| Focus of Queer Arts Liberation Fund | Support LGBTQ+ artists and amplify voices in response to anti-LGBTQ+ legislation |
| Application Period | April 2 to April 30 |
| Total Grants from 2020 to 2023 | 241 grants amounting to $1.2 million |
| Empowerment Structure | Previous grantees have governance power through an eight-person steering committee |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Big Ears Festival Celebrates Knoxville’s Music Legacy
Knoxville’s Coffeeshops Transform into Community Hubs
Additional Resources
- Inside of Knoxville: Waymakers Collective
- Wikipedia: LGBTQ+ Rights in the United States
- WBIR: Waymakers Collective Grants
- Google Search: Grant Funding for Artists
- Bloomberg: Community-Led Giving in Appalachia
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
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