​Ideas Beyond Formats is a paid publishing program geared towards supporting and amplifying artists who live/share stories of marginalized communities, who feel outside of traditional power dynamics. Artists age 21+ with taxable residence in the United States. Through the program, we aid in developing, publishing, and promoting a significant work by the artist (to be defined by the artist). The program includes a $2,000 honorarium and a $2,000 production budget, both to be managed by the artist.
2025 // Vol. 3
Meet the Ideas Beyond Formats Reviewers
Ben Blount
Ben Blount is a Detroit born artist, designer and letterpress printer living and working in Evanston, Illinois. His work explores history, race, identity and the stories we tell ourselves about living in America. Ben is a believer in the power of the printed word to connect, inform and inspire.
​
IG: @blountben
​
Portrait of Ben Blount, dressed in a t-shirt, leaning against a shelf of books.
Christi Chong
Christi is a Los Angeles based ceramicist who creates playful and whimsical pottery with a focus on functionality.
​
IG: @christi.ahee
​
Ceramic artist wheel-throwing a mug.
Harper Sims
Harper Sims is a comic and animation artist living in Los Angeles. She enjoys writing and drawing in tandem as a practice of discovery and cherishes the power of print to bring people together.
​
harpersims.site
IG: @harpersim.s
​
A smiling trans-woman in a blue dress wearing a green bandana with flowers.
The Application
The application is free and open to anyone who identifies as an artist who lives/shares stories of marginalized communities, who feels outside of traditional power dynamics. The applicant person must be of age 21+, with a taxable residence in the U.S.A. The application duration is based on first come first serve and capped at 25 participants. Why 25? To not overwhelm our Reviewers and to amplify a circle of exchange and scale that we can stay true to. Applicants submitting a complete application will get a nominal payment of $20 as a gestural thank you for their contribution. Sign up to our mailing list below to receive updates on this and other Sonnenzimmer activities.
​
The Details
The program will take place over four months. Nadine and Nick will aid in the conceptual development and logistical support of the project, as well as promoting the project through Sonnenzimmer’s available channel. Overall this will depend on the artist’s choice of our involvement, and how they wish to sculpt and structure this.
​
Our Channels
-
2,500+ email subscribers
-
9,500+ Instagram followers
-
500+ unique visitors to our website each month
​
​Funding this Program
-
This program is funded by setting aside 10% of our sales and a percentage from our commissioned projects. Why only 10%? This amount will allow us to maintain our current workload and keep the program sustainable.
-
On the labor side, Nick and Nadine will each contribute 20 hours of advising and 40–50 hours of administrative work within the grant.
​
Transparency
Our 2024 taxable studio income was $70,000.
​
​Budget
We raise $7,000 to initiate new rounds of IBF. This covers the artist’s honorarium ($2000), artist's production budget ($2000), three Reviewers ($350 each/some donate forward), applicant consultant ($350 each), 25 honorariums for applicants ($20 each), leaving a buffer ($1000 for taxes, meeting expenses, material exploration, website, transaction fees, rollover).
​
Input
Constructive criticism is valued and always welcome. Thank you for caring.
​
Disclaimer
We will be adapting and tweaking as things unfold and as things need to be amended as we are learning.
​
Contact us if you are interested in underwriting
Ideas Beyond Formats.
2022 Ideas Beyond Formats
-
Stephanie Graham, 2022 Reviewer
-
Angela Zonunpari, 2022 Reviewer
-
Jimmy Luu, 2022 Reviewer
-
Flor Flores, 2022 Ideas Beyond Formats Recipient
​
​
2021 Ideas Beyond Formats
-
Aay Preston-Myint, 2021 Application Advisor
-
Fulla Abdul-Jabbar, 2021 Reviewer
-
Stephanie Graham, 2021 Reviewer
-
Mich Miller, 2021 Reviewer
-
Nia Easley, 2021 Ideas Beyond Formats Recipient
​