APOC Store to Launch Grants to Help Marginalized Designers and Artists

The London-based conceptual retail space APOC Store has announced APOC Grants, furthering its support of new, emerging talent in the design and art worlds. APOC Store was founded on this belief, giving a platform to marginalized artists and designers who were emerging as a new generation of creatives in the ever-evolving fashion and art scene, and now its grant scheme hopes to continue to support those in most need.

As APOC Store explains, “The fashion and art industry tends to favor those with financial advantage and the social connections required to network.” It continues to note that “it is also harder to break through for communities excluded from mainstream social, economic, educational, and/or cultural life. Examples of marginalized populations include, but are not limited to, groups excluded due to race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, language, and/or immigration status.”

“Through these grants, APOC Store hopes to break down the financial and systemic barriers to entering the industry and starting your own brand/practice,” concludes APOC Store.

Each selected designer or artist will receive a £1,000 GBP ($1,300 USD) grant to support the progression of their work, as well as the opportunity to sell their work on APOC Store’s website while receiving a six-month mentorship program consisting of bi-weekly sessions with the APOC team and designers and artists from the community.

To apply, send a bio, your social media and website information, a list of short and long-term goals, grant fund plans, and images of your current work via the online form when the application opens on April 7.

In other news, Balenciaga has opened its new flagship store.