The Medium’s Creative Exchange Fund Enters Third Year with Expanded Support

More awards, increased funding, and new selection processes make the program more accessible than ever.

Springdale, AR – The Medium is excited to announce the third round of the Creative Exchange Fund (CXF), a program designed to support artists, creatives, and cultural organizers by providing funding and free space to take bold creative risks.

With support from the Tyson Family Foundation, CXF continues to expand its impact, offering five unique funding opportunities to help bring performances, community events, artist residencies, and exhibitions to life at The Medium. Updates for this round include an additional opportunity in the Platform category (three $15,000 opportunities and three weeks in Medium’s theater space), increased funding for large-scale outdoor Spectra exhibitions, and a new eligibility selection process for Producers and Mixtape Music Series grants.

“The Creative Exchange Fund is more than just financial support; it’s a crucial resource for Northwest Arkansas' artists and a catalyst for the creative energy transforming the downtown Springdale Arts District. ‘CXF is about giving artists the space and resources to experiment, collaborate, and grow,’ says Amber Perrodin, Artist & Community Manager at The Medium. ‘Our team is excited and ready to welcome the next cohort and see the incredible impact they will bring.’”

Since its launch in 2022, CXF has embodied The Medium’s commitment to empowering emerging and underrepresented artists. Past recipients have leveraged the program to stage performances, host community events, and explore new creative territory.

The Medium will host six online info sessions to help artists, creatives, and cultural organizers navigate the 2025/2026 Creative Exchange Fund (CXF) application process. Sessions cover eligibility, funding, and how CXF supports bold, creative projects. Registration for all info sessions is available at https://themedium.art/cxf/.

• Monday, April 7 @ 11 AM – General Info Session
• Tuesday, April 8 @ 11 AM – Producers Info Session (for event organizers)
• Tuesday, April 8 @ 1 PM – Mixtape Music Series Info Session (for musicians)
• Wednesday, April 9 @ 11 AM – Medium Artist Residencies Info Session (for visual artists)
• Wednesday, April 9 @ 1 PM – Platform Info Session (for performers & theater artists)
• Thursday, April 10 @ 3 PM – Spectra Series Info Session (for visual art exhibitions)

Applications open on April 17, 2025, and close on May 5, 2025, at 5 PM CT. More details about funding opportunities and eligibility can be found at themedium.art/cxf.