Julie Martin-BeaulieuDec 4, 2022
Brontë Grimm

My career as a disabled artist who makes art about my experiences as a disabled trans person can be summed up via an excerpt from the last grant rejection letter I received:

“…while the members of the selection panel felt your art was evocative, accomplished, and beautiful, we collectively felt the subject matter of disability would disturb and upset art patrons. Your work was ultimately rejected because we felt it wouldn’t resonate with the public.”

…My reality.

#MastoArt #disabled

Dec 4, 2022 at 5:30amWeb
Show threadSapphic LawyerDec 4, 2022

@brontegrimm

Well heaven forbid art challenge the public

Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 4, 2022
@SapphicLawyer this was a regional grant, too, and I applied 6 years in a row, and the final year they opened it up to get feedback about your app…and…just. Ya. This is why my CV isn’t a tome like abled mid career artists *headDesk*
Show threadJ.R. OrciDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm Le sigh…
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 4, 2022
@orci pretty sure letting out an extended exasperated sigh was my first response when I first received it. Yay my life *blows a noisemaker as an underwhelming amount of confetti falls on me*
Show threadMelody CooperDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm WTF?This gets me so angry. I have no time for organizations that think something that is an essential aspect of someone’s existence would disturb art patrons. Just…no. NO! I kind of wish I knew who it was so I could post gorilla art that would disturb the hell out of all their patrons. Like maybe on their social media. I’m sorry you got that kind of response. They don’t deserve you.
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 4, 2022
@MelodyCooper thank you…that really means so damn much to hear. It was in the Midwest US, if that helps at least narrow it down to a group of orgs that DEFINITELY need to do better about diversity in their ranks as well as their awardees.
Show threadkalanchitoDec 4, 2022
@MelodyCooper @brontegrimm 💯
Show threadGraham GreenDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm What the actual fuck! This is absurd.
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 4, 2022
@graham it absolutely is 😞
Show threadPayal Dhar (she/they)Dec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm WTF! That’s horrific.
Show threadSteve has ☕️ for brainsDec 4, 2022

@brontegrimm UuUuugh. That is… not a good reality. Thanks for being transparent with us.

> Would disturb and upset art patrons

This should be the criteria for an acceptance letter.

Show threadSteve has ☕️ for brainsDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm Also sounds like an excellent pinned toot and portfolio header, if you were so inclined.
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 4, 2022
@sivy I actually put that bit in my Artist statement for awhile after getting the rejection lol! And I definitely agree…unfortunately my career has suffered greatly from bs like this. My cv is short compared to my abled Art peers. It’s frustrating.
Show threadSteve has ☕️ for brainsDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm That _would_ be appropriately rage-inducing 😡! I hope you find more opportunities.
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 4, 2022
@sivy thank you so much 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Show threadSteve has ☕️ for brainsDec 4, 2022

@brontegrimm Hm, you do German expressionism, which I really seem to enjoy (need to dome research but what I’m seeing is so evocative)

I also really like Bauhaus… maybe I have German-Art-Brain? (Though my taste also runs to abtract, abstract expressionism, brutalism, constructivism …)

Show threadSteve has ☕️ for brainsDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm Sorry it’s late and I’m getting silly. I really should put the internet down.
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 4, 2022

@sivy well the majority of what you listed is in the broader category of Outsider Art, by artists who were outsiders to the greater art community, either because of radical (progressive) ideologies of the time, being queer, femme, a combo of the former, or Jewish or POC. It’s why I’m so drawn to Weimar era artists and German expressionism as a whole. There’s a great video by Kaz Rowe that I highly recommend:

https://youtu.be/oNGvga0QKZg

The Queer History of Weimar Germany

YouTube
Show threadGuiding Heart TarotDec 17, 2022
@sivy @brontegrimm exactly!
Show threadAbandoned AmericaDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm really saying the quiet part out loud. Not that it would be okay if they rejected it for that reason and didn't tell you but I'm shocked they'd openly admit it. Esp for a grant, that seems like a huge liability because it is of course discriminatory. I'm so sorry, that's terrible.
Show threadPontusDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm where canI buy your art?
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 4, 2022
@pl I do limited edition signed giclée prints via email or through my website www.brontegrimm.com
I’m currently setting up a store on my website for easier ordering, but for now it’s via contact form or email 🖤
Show threadRenéeDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm who tf do they think "the public" is exactly
Show threadTanya HarrisonDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm I'm so sorry, this is where I'd be almost tempted to use four-letter words that my instance would ban me for 😔 Now heaven forbid that us disabled people upset the public 😒
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 5, 2022
@WirlOfWirls exactly 😒
Thank you 🖤
Show threadsam strzyga❤️‍🔥Dec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm disappointed but not shocked 🙄
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 5, 2022
@samstrzyga exactly my feelings, as well.
Show threadKtjnwDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm I thought good art was meant to upset and disturb
Show threadJosh Lange Dec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm ugh, someone needs to write to them to say their intolerance of that basic human condition is cruel and that they should remember that their own children could end up disabled some day, or give birth to disabled children, and have to rely on the kindness of strangers. Best of luck to you on your next grant application.
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 5, 2022
@JoshLange thank you so much 🖤🖤and yup, disability, and thus disabled people, are apart of our society.
Show threadWusi (Christina)Dec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm I was under the impression that good artis SUPPOSED to upset the viewer. This reaction is entirely outrageous 🤬
Show threadMarch PayneDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm And here was me believing that one of the points of art was to make people think.
Show threadBen, Writin’ MoviesDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm Frankly, that’s why it SHOULD be displayed! Idiots… 😠
Show threadXenmintDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm I just checked out your website and your work is fabulous.
Don't bog yourself down in comparisons with peers, or shitty feedback from patrons. Keep doing what is true for you, it's wonderful.
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 5, 2022
@xenmint thank you so much, that means a lot to me 🖤🖤🖤
Show threadLJ 🦇Dec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm I'm so sorry. This is appalling. Art SHOULD challenge people!
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 5, 2022
@ljmatthews I wholly agree! Thank you 🖤🖤
Show threadKendersonDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm this is so gross. How on earth can any group of people who supposedly support art and artists reject someone on the basis that the work might challenge the public? Good grief. What are we even doing as artists if we're NOT challenging people and giving them a chance to really see a life they haven't lived?
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 5, 2022
@kwh my sentiments exactly!
Show threadJennifer Moore 😷Dec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm
Woah, that is terrible. I'd like to make stickers of it and sticker the whole neighbourhood of their organisation!
Show threadStroomAfwaarts 🌱Dec 4, 2022

@brontegrimm
I, as a consumer*, wouldn't mind getting kicked out of my comfort zone.
Isn't that what art is for?

*is there a better English word for "museum and exposition visitor"?

Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 5, 2022
@StroomAfwaarts the art I like generally does that 🖤
Usually the term is “patron”, but “viewer” and “visitor” can be used, as well.
Show threadAndrew HermanDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm For fuck's sake
Show threadMarkDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm
I can only imagine their anguish when visually confronted with a ‘Handicap Parking Only’ sign.
“The simple, bold artwork conveys a clear message, but we felt the subject matter of disability would upset most motorists—particularly those who covet choice parking spaces.” ♿️
Show threadMarkDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm tried posting this in my earlier reply, but it wasn’t working.
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 5, 2022
@MarkBrigham lol!! This is a perfect analogy!
Show threadCarl JohnsonDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm That’s horrific.
Show threadalexis purslane 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏴Dec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm ive seen a lot of disabled people talk about this attitude abled people have, where disabilities are "disturbing" and make them uncomfortable so they should be hidden away from view. It's really sickening tbh
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 5, 2022
@alexispurslane it absolutely is, and is so entrenched in our society. Disabled people literally being hidden away in institutions isn’t ancient history, and we didn’t even have full legal rights really until the 1990s with the passing of the ADA.
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 5, 2022
@alexispurslane it absolutely is, and is so entrenched in our society. Disabled people literally being hidden away in institutions isn’t ancient history, and we didn’t even have full legal rights really until the 1990s with the passing of the ADA.
Show threadKevin RedmanDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm what a bunch of bs. So it wouldn’t be to their taste? Taste is the enemy of art.
Show threadMark KeislerDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm well, that was the wrong venue for you. There's more out there.
Show threadDrewDec 4, 2022

@brontegrimm This hit hard. earlier this week I got a rejection letter from a publisher that read "this is very powerful and thank you for sharing your truth but" then they said it was too sad and didn't align with the themes of that collection. I remember thinking "how do you put a positive spin on having OCD, Anxiety, Severe Depression, and Paranoid Schizophrenia?"

It can be really hard when people don't understand what it is like. It hurts sometimes.

Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 5, 2022
@dharmadischarge it definitely hurts, no matter how many times you experience ableism. These kinds of ableism-laced rejections feel like personal attacks, because the thing they have issues with is inherent to who we are. I’m so sorry you have experienced this, too. Sending you solidarity hugs 🖤
Show threadHenry Edward HardyDec 4, 2022

That's horrible!

@brontegrimm

Show threadRuth Harrigan ArtistDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm yet another shameless proclamation of ableism.
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 5, 2022
@ruthharrigancreative exactly!!
Show threadmerigoldDec 4, 2022
@brontegrimm oh my goodness, art is to resonate with public, that's why people make art. I'm sorry you had to experience this shit.
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 5, 2022
@merigold thank you so much 🖤🖤🖤
Show threadZ O R A N G R B I CDec 4, 2022

@brontegrimm You know what? This just tells me the source you went to for a grant doesn't seem to be the right one.

One thing you should not do is take their stance as a reference. Please continue your search for financial support to help you grow. Don't question your art. Don't spend energy on BS. At the same time, don't reject them. Invite them each and every time you're on expo. Invite their art patrons. Play with them, show them they were just a leverage not a dependency.