Organization Description

Rainbow Serpent seeks to advance Black LGBTQ culture through the exploration of emerging technologies, innovative healing protocols, traditional African cosmologies, and multimedia art. We are dedicated to celebrating the diversity and richness of Black LGBTQ culture while promoting healing and empowerment within the community. We fulfill this mission by (1) creating and promoting artistic works, exhibitions, and performances; (2) experimenting with modalities such as spatial augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and digital archiving to generate relevant applications;  (3) offering educational programs and workshops to increase community understanding; (4) organizing multi-day retreats grounded in queer African spiritual traditions that promote mental, physical, and spiritual healing; (5) curating events that showcase a diversity of cultural expression, featuring work from established and emerging practitioners; and (6) providing residencies for artists, healers, and technologists.

Recent Rainbow Serpent productions include Obi Mbu (The Primordial House), an experimental dance film currently on view at the North Carolina Museum of Art; The Four World Ages, a multimedia live performance, photography series, and public art installation; the multi-day retreat Harnessing the Power of Creation Through African Ritual; and Anatomy of the Human, a public art installation featured in the Andy Warhol Museum’s POP District, on billboards on Pittsburgh’s Route 28, and on approximately 150 digital kiosks around the country.

Immersive Fellowship Description

Rainbow Serpent is seeking an immersive fellow to support the grant writing efforts of the organization through searching for relevant applications, maintaining a master spreadsheet of them, and drafting content for submissions. Rainbow Serpent is poised to apply for a wide range of grants that support artist collectives, nonprofit arts organizations, Black and/or LGBTQ serving organizations, art + tech projects, mental health projects, public health projects, and public art installations. The immersive fellow will engage in intensive research to understand the range of philanthropic opportunities that are available, document their findings, and craft a plan for submitting applications.

Responsibilities include some combination of the below items:

• Attend regular meetings with Executive Director and relevant stakeholders.  
• Conduct extensive research to identify grant opportunities that align with the organization’s focus on artist collectives, nonprofit arts, Black and/or LGBTQ communities, art + tech, mental health, and public health initiatives.
• Maintain and update a master spreadsheet that tracks all relevant grant opportunities, deadlines, and application statuses.
• Draft compelling content for grant submissions, including cover letters, project narratives, and budget justifications, ensuring alignment with the organization’s goals and mission.
• Develop and implement a strategic plan for submitting grant applications, including prioritization of opportunities.
• Collaborate within the organization to gather necessary information and documentation for grant applications.

Qualifications

• Prior experience in or strong interest in learning about grant writing, fundraising, or a related field.
• Exceptional research skills with the ability to identify and analyze relevant grant opportunities.
• Strong organizational skills and proficiency in spreadsheet management to track multiple grant deadlines and requirements.
• Excellent written communication skills for crafting compelling grant proposals and other submission materials.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, managing various tasks and coordinating with team members as needed.
• Detail-oriented with a proven ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Basic understanding or interest in the fields of arts, social justice, or LGBTQ+ issues is a plus.