GLAAD’s Communities of Color and Media department, a division of the GLAAD Media Institute (GMI), in partnership with renowned visual artist Mickalene Thomas, has announced the opening of applications for the third year cohort of its Equity in Media and Entertainment Initiative (EMEI).
Applications are now open and will be accepted until Thursday, January 16, 2025.
Launched in 2022 with support from Gilead Sciences, EMEI is a transformative program designed to empower Black LGBTQ creatives and individuals living with HIV (PLWH) by providing mentorship, resources, and opportunities to amplify their voices in entertainment and media.
Comprised of three year-long cohorts, the initiative has supported various genres of Black LGBTQ creatives across a range of disciplines: The first year cohort, in 2023, was made up of short form filmmakers. The second year cohort, in 2024, currently focuses on music artists.
Next year, the final cohort will focus on emerging Visual Artists, exploring Black queer creatives working in disciplines such as painting, photography, mixed media, and sculpture.
Program Benefits
10 Participants will be selected for the 2025 EMEI cohort and will receive:
- Funding for a New Creative Project: Each participating creative will be granted $10,000 to fund a new creative project to be produced during their time with the initiative.
- Mentorship: Monthly sessions with Mickalene Thomas and other leading visual artists to explore their artistic processes and career growth.
- Professional Development: Workshops covering industry navigation, portfolio building, and leveraging art for social impact.
- Final Showcase: A culminating exhibition to present their work to industry leaders, media, and the public, taking place between December 2025 and February 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, artists must:
- Identify as Black and LGBTQ and/or be a person living with HIV.
- Be early-career visual artists committed to amplifying diverse narratives.
- Be available to participate in program activities, including monthly mentorship sessions.
How to Apply
Artists are invited to submit their portfolios and a statement of intent at: glaad.org/emei
Prospective applicants have until Thursday, January 16, 2025 to apply. Early application submissions are highly encouraged.
For detailed application guidelines and additional information, visit glaad.org/emei.
