What We Do  //  Grant Program  //  Current Recipients

Research
Dr. Steve Baker, Art historian
Nick Cooney, Scholar
Hayley Rose Glaholt, Doctoral candidate (religious studies)
Bradley Rowe, Doctoral candidate (educational philosophy)
Dr. Rose Searby, Scholar

Creativity
Camilla Calamandrei, Filmmaker
JoAnne McArthur, Documentary Photographer
Cyrus Meija, Artist
Irina Rindos, Filmmaker
Sunaura Taylor, Visual artist and writer
Ashley Watson, Artist

Performance
Dorit Dykes, Green Lifestyle Film Festival
Public Eye: Artists for Animals, Performance artists
Andrea Gullo: WorldFest

Dr. Steve Baker, Art historian
Although widely appreciated, the work of Sue Coe, a contemporary artist exploring animal rights, has not received the in-depth academic analysis it deserves. Art historian, Steve Baker, seeks to change this with the publication of a monograph entitled, “Art before Ethics: Animal Life in Artists’ Hands.” The project will bring attention to Coe’s unique contribution to both art and animal advocacy, examining her work about factory farming, meat packing and other issues.

Dr. Baker, whose books include “The Postmodern Animal” and “Picturing the Beast,” is a noted scholar of attitudes towards animals in twentieth- and twenty-first–century art.

The awarded grant will fund the research and writing of the monograph.

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Hayley Rose Glaholt, Doctoral candidate (religious studies)
In researching American and British Quakerism of the 19th century, scholar Hayley Rose Glaholt discovered an ethical question that is as relevant today as when it originated: How can people committed to a non-violent ideal overlook animal mistreatment? Glaholt’s research will examine how Victorian-era Quakers tackled the debate about responsibility to non-human Creation, including reconciling medical advancement with anti-vivisection principles.

The awarded grant will enable Glaholt to undertake a research trip to study archival materials.
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Dr. Rose Searby, Scholar
Existing research about homelessness focuses almost exclusively on people. However, in reality, many animals are also impacted. Scholar Rose Searby intends to explore the relationships between homeless people and their companion animals – calling for homelessness to be regarded as a multi-species issue. This shift, says Dr. Searby, will prompt the consideration of homeless companion animals in policymaking, ethics and health. Her work will be prepared for publication in leading journals and presentation at animal studies conferences.

The awarded grant will fund travel expenses during the research phase.
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Bradley Rowe, Doctoral candidate (educational philosophy)
Despite growing interest in animal ethics in many academic areas, the field of education has largely neglected this topic. Scholar Bradley Rowe’s work will explore this omission, encouraging educational scholars and practitioners to think critically about human/animal coexistence and humankind’s moral obligation to animals. The finished product will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals of educational philosophy.

The awarded grant will fund research and living expenses.
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Irena Rindos, Filmmaker
Many artists have explored relationships between humans and animals, but filmmaker Irena Rindos brings a fresh approach. Her short film blends the new technology of 3D animation with the traditional craft of wycinanki, Polish paper-cutting. Through this innovative style Rindos follows a human character and the animals she rescues, telling a compelling story about breaking down barriers between species. The finished piece will be entered for inclusion in film festivals.

The awarded grant will fund the production of the animated short film.
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Sunaura Taylor, Visual artist and writer
The work of Sunaura Taylor makes a philosophical connection between disability rights and animal rights. These two areas, says Taylor, intersect at questions of value: Who has value, and what abilities should be valued? In addition to a painting series which explores animal rights through the lens of disability rights, Taylor is writing a book, “Beyond Ability: An Exploration into Animal Rights and Disability Studies.” Together, these projects are intended to prompt discussion about rights, responsibility and independence.

The awarded grant will fund development of the visual and book projects.
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Public Eye: Artists for Animals, Performance artists
Hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” is a procedure that uses chemicals, sand and water to blast through rock, releasing natural gas. It also releases toxins into the water system which can cause lethal disease among wild and domesticated animals. Recently, energy companies have been leasing private land and public parkland in Northeastern Pennsylvania for this type of drilling. Alarmed by the spread of this practice, Philadelphia-based Public Eye is planning a performance and parade to raise public and media attention. A family-friendly public performance will be followed by a parade featuring large-scale puppets.

The awarded grant will fund the planning and production of the performance.
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