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KFW Firestarter Award Nominations 2026

Thank you for nominating a Firestarter!

Firestarters are intersectional feminist artists (18-26) who are igniting sparks in their community. They are artists who engage deeply in movements for racial, climate, disability and gender/LGBTQ+ justice, bring attention to mental health and disparities in healthcare, bridge divides in rural and immigrant communities, disrupt outdated and oppressive systems, envision new ways of thinking and being with each other, and so much more.

The Firestarter award honors artists who are taking risks in the creation of new art, working towards social justice/community engagement, and who demonstrate a developing feminist voice, including new insights and visions for intersectional feminism and art for social change.

A Firestarter shows potential in:
  • creating compelling art, including taking risks in developing new work
  • engaging with social justice movements or their communities (This could be a geographic community in a specific neighborhood, county or region in KY, or a community based on interests, identity or values.)
  • acting as change agents in their own communities.
  • developing their feminist voice by questioning norms and imagining new ways to create art for social change


The Firestarter Award honors a young feminist social change artist for their outstanding ability to inspire others to make a difference!


Please complete your nomination by May 11, 2026


1.Name of Firestarter Nominee:(Required.)
2.Email Address of Nominee:
3.Please provide another way to contact this nominee:
4.Age of Nominee:(Required.)
5.Primary Artform of Nominee:(Required.)
6.Topic(s) Nominee Addresses in Artwork:
7.Nominee's Place of Residence (must be in Kentucky):
Please answer the next few questions in a few sentences, or about a paragraph each.
8.What types of artwork does this person focus on? Can you describe 1-2 pieces or projects that are especially meaningful to you?(Required.)
9.How is this person's work focused on social justice, engaged in their community, or on the way to creating meaningful social change, from your point of view?(Required.)
10.How does the artist demonstrate a unique feminist voice? How is the artwork bringing new vision or a fresh approach to intersectional feminism?(Required.)
11.What kinds of risks were taken in creating new art? How do you see this person kindling fires for the future in their artmaking?(Required.)
12.Is there anything else we should know about this person?
13.Your Name:(Required.)
14.Your contact info (email and phone number) in case we have questions or need more information:(Required.)
15.Is it ok if we tell this nominee that you nominated them?
16.We highlight the winner(s) on our website and in social media (with their permission). We plan to use information and sometimes language directly from your nomination to develop this content. Most of the time the nominator remains anonymous in KFW's public announcements of the Firestarter winners, but sometimes we attribute a quote to the nominator.
Thank you for your nomination and being part of the KFW Community!