The Female Design Council (FDC) recently announced a partnership with design house NICOLEHOLLIS for its upcoming grant initiative, for the benefit of women designers of color. FDC is an organization conceived to serve women-identifying individuals in the design community. Its new FDC + NICOLEHOLLIS grant invites eligible individuals and design studios to enter their submissions through December 15, at which time a winner will be selected by a jury.
“Our industry needs a far more diverse set of voices, and we want to do our part to bolster new perspectives in design,” said Nicole Hollis, Creative Director and Principal of NICOLEHOLLIS. “Our sincere hope is that this grant will support the sustained growth of one promising emerging studio, one that we can watch thrive for years to come.”
Nicole Hollis, Founder of NICOLEHOLLIS Interior Design.
The second iteration of the FDC grant program, it will offer one recipient an amount of $15,000 and a mentorship with the NICOLEHOLLIS team, aimed to provide a foundation for young and emerging studios and designers. Open to self-identifying women designers of color who are U.S. residents, those interested may submit their information via the FDC website, to be reviewed by Hollis, FDC founder Lora Appleton, and a panel including art and design experts Tiana Webb Evans, Nina Cooke John, Michael K. Chen, and Alison Levasseur.
“The Female Design Council is thrilled to partner with NICOLEHOLLIS and her team to bring much needed financial & mentorship support and community to womxn in design and architecture,” said Appleton. “I am humbled by the galleries who supported this grant through auction and hope that these ongoing efforts by FDC and our esteemed partners starts to move the needle on achieving parity and representation for all womxn in design.”
Lora Appleton, Founder of FDC and Design Gallery Kinder Modern.
Following the 2020 debut of the initiative—launched with GRANT 01, focusing on Black women designers—the FDC + NICOLEHOLLIS grant received funding from an art auction held last April, featuring works given from galleries like The Future Perfect, Jessica Silverman, Gallery FUMI, and Friedman Benda.
Work by Mia Wright-Ross, recipient of FDC GRANT 01, photo by Matthew Pandolfe.
“Listening Chair” by Luam Melake, recipient of FDC GRANT 01, photo by Scotty Slade Wagner.
