photo: Stephen Lesnik
Now is a great time to consider applying for a 2026 Marty Gear Costuming Arts & Sciences Fund grant. The Marty Gear Fund is an International Costumers’ Guild program to provide grants in support of projects by ICG members that advance the art and science of costuming and benefit costumers in general or in specific groups. These are grants, not loans, and do not require repayment. The Fund was established in 2013. For 2024, it has $2,000 available to fund projects. Any ICG member may apply for a grant, using the application form on the ICG web site.
The Fund was named in honor of Marty Gear, who was one of the founders of the ICG and its executive director during its formative years. In 1991, he became the second costumer to be awarded the ICG’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
When a grant application is received, the Administration Committee reads it to assure it is complete. then sends it to two members of its panel of reviewers to evaluate its content, proposed timetable, and requested funding. The panel consists of highly experienced costumers appointed by the ICG president — truly masters of our art. They may request additional information in order to complete their review.
If the panelists recommend approval of an application and the amount to award, the applicant is notified and payment is arranged. For applications that will take an extended period to fulfill, payment may be spread over several tranches.
If you have an idea that may be beneficial to all costumers or some of us, but that seemed too costly and/or complex to implement, put it on an application to the Marty Gear Fund. You can learn more about the Fund, read about past grants awarded, and submit your application at https://www.costume.org/wp/marty-gear-costuming-arts-and-sciences-fund.
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