Discover Resilience BRC 2025 BRC Honoraria Project

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 At its core, Resilience is a tribute to what we rebuild after the storm. The structure, crafted from salvaged materials, houses works by artists whose pieces were damaged, destroyed, or inspired by natural disaster, personal upheaval, or social change.

The inaugural collection will center stories from artists who survived Hurricane Helene, whose creative practices were impacted by the storm—through loss, disruption, or profound transformation. Resilience is both a space of remembrance and a platform for regeneration.

The completed structure will debut at a local kickoff exhibition in Western North Carolina, where selected artists and their stories will be highlighted through an immersive, community-focused showing of their submitted works. The project will then travel to Burning Man 2025 for its official public unveiling on playa.

Resilience is funded in part by a Burning Man Honoraria Grant, which supports large-scale, participatory art that fosters civic engagement and radical expression.

We’re inviting submissions from:

• Artists who experienced Hurricane Helene and were affected personally, creatively, or materially
   
• Creatives whose work speaks to themes of resilience, climate, justice, or recovery
   
• Artists based in Western North Carolina or nearby regions (priority given, but not required)
   
• Artists working in any visual medium (2D, 3D, digital, or mixed media)
   

We welcome emerging, established, and self-taught artists alike. If you’ve been holding onto something that survived—or something born from what didn’t—we want to see it.

At the heart of Resilience is a deep commitment to honoring the full value of artists’ contributions. While we cannot sell artwork due to Burning Man’s principle of decommodification, we are actively fundraising to compensate each participating artist at the full retail value of their work through the Resilience Artist Fund.

Artist compensation is directly supported by donations and sponsorships, and this is our top fundraising priority. Every contribution goes toward recognizing the creative, cultural, and emotional labor that artists bring to this powerful collective story.

Resilience embraces the spirit of gift-giving and shared experience. Rather than being transactional, the gallery is a space where art is offered freely—as an act of presence, vulnerability, and connection. It’s a celebration of creativity without commerce, and of meaning made together.

• Recognition & Global Exposure
  Inclusion in a curated exhibition at Burning Man 2025, regional showcases, and fundraising events—plus features in regional and national press.
   
• Professional Documentation
  High-quality photos and video of your work in the Resilience installation, for use in your own portfolio or promotion.
   
• Community & Collaboration
  Connection to a growing network of artists, curators, and collaborators dedicated to creative recovery, mutual support, and resilience.
   
• Promotion Across Platforms
  Your work will be featured across our social media channels, website, event materials, and community storytelling efforts.
   
• Optional Invitation to Burning Man 2025
  Attendance is not required, but artists are invited to join us in Black Rock City. We will assist with access to any gifted or discounted tickets that become available.
   
• Art Care & Preservation
  We are working with professional curation and restoration specialists to ensure your piece is safely transported, installed, and returned after the event.
  
•  Active Fundraising for Artist Compensation
  All fundraising efforts are focused on supporting participating artists through the Resilience Artist Fund, with the goal of providing full retail compensation for each submitted work.
   
• On-Playa Hospitality (Optional)
  Artists have the option to camp with the Resilience team, hosted by Snack Shack—a Portland-based theme camp known for snacks, drinks, and community spirit. Camp dues will be fully sponsored for accepted artists.

Please include:

• 3–5 images of your work (or proposals, if submitting a new piece)
   
• Artist statement (250 words max)
   
• A brief note about how your work connects to Resilience or your experience with Hurricane Helene
   
• Any special installation needs
   

 We’re happy to talk. Reach out any time at hello@resiliencebrc.com. 

 If you believe in what we’re building, we invite you to help make it possible.

Resilience is a grassroots effort, and while we’re grateful for the support of the Burning Man Honoraria Program, we’re still actively fundraising to fully compensate participating artists, transport the structure, and create a meaningful experience both locally and on playa.

Even small contributions go a long way.