Bushwig and Knockdown Center announce travel grant to support drag artists

Bushwig, the yearly drag celebration, announced a travel grant program to support performers coming from around the country.

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The event, which returns to New York City’s Knockdown Center on Saturday, August 23, 2025, will see dozens of performances. Each year, hundreds apply for those select spots, according to organizers.

To support drag artists outside the New York City area, organizers are offering $700 grants for several regions across the U.S.

Those regions are divided into:

• Southeast - Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida
• Southwest - Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana
• Midwest - North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska
• West - Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Alaska

Winners of the grants will be announced on or before June 15.

In order to apply for the grant, performers need to be 21 by August 1. The funds are for travel around the 10 days surrounding August 23. The grant will be sent via Venmo. Grantees will be required to invoice Knockdown Center to receive payment, and the invoice must designate a Venmo handle. Venmo confirmation will be considered proof of payment.

Those wanting to submit an application must turn it in before May 19, 2025, at 12:01 a.m.

“Applications will be judged on creativity and perceived need,” according to organizers.

Apply here.