Best Grants for Visual Artists in Alaska

Alaska nonprofits, tribal entities, schools, and other public institutions can receive funding to cover travel and freight for touring visual and performing arts presentations and exhibitions across Alaska. Focused on expanding arts access, the Alaska State Council on the Arts invites organizations to build multi-community tours and reach rural or underserved audiences with cultural events.

Alaska emerging artists in performing, theater, music, or visual arts can receive fellowship support to advance their professional practice. Grants from Alaska State Council on the Arts help Alaska visual and performing artists who are early in their careers, taking risks, and showing strong potential gain recognition and resources for new creative work.

Alaska nonprofit organizations, schools, local governments, and tribal entities can apply for Alaska State Council on the Arts Workshop Grants, awarding US $500 - US $1,500 to pay instructor fees and travel for short-term arts workshops. Visual and other arts groups in Alaska may use this support to offer unique, public arts experiences for mostly adult participants.

Individual visual artists, culture bearers, and artist groups in Alaska can receive support to dedicate a year to developing their creative work. Rasmuson Foundation provides Alaska artists with fellowship awards of US $50,000 plus professional development in marketing, finances, and promotion, which may benefit visual artists seeking time and resources to advance their practice.

Focused on project-based artistic development, Rasmuson Foundation invites Alaska artists in all disciplines, including visual arts, to apply for Project Awards of US $10,000. Emerging, mid-career, and established individual artists, groups, and collaboratives can fund a specific one-year project that advances their creative work.

Nonprofit arts organizations and tribal entities in Alaska can receive operating support for ongoing visual arts and other arts programs, including salaries, travel, promotion, and production costs. Focused on sustaining arts programming, the Alaska State Council on the Arts offers up to US $21,000, covering no more than half of an organization’s annual operating costs.

Individual artists in Alaska practicing traditional Alaska Native visual arts, crafts, music, dance, storytelling, song, or functional objects can apply for the Master Artist and Apprentice Grant to support intensive one-on-one study with a recognized master artist. This Alaska State Council on the Arts program prioritizes apprenticeships within an applicant’s own cultural traditions, with most funds directed to the master artist’s fee.

Grants from Juneau Community Foundation help Alaska visual and other creative artists fund education and training opportunities. Individuals in Skagway and northern Southeast Alaska can receive up to US $10,000 for arts camps, schools, colleges, symposiums, or conferences, with scholarship funds paid directly to the attending tax-exempt nonprofit or educational institution.

Nonprofits, fiscally sponsored groups, university departments, and individual visual artists working on exhibitions, scholarship, or programs tied to the Thoma Foundation’s collection areas may be eligible for support, including in Alaska. Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation backs significant art exhibitions, convenings, academic research, and education projects, with a focus on innovative, collection-related work.

Women-identifying visual and environmental artists in Alaska and across the U.S. can apply for project funding to advance in-progress environmental art with public engagement. Grants from New York Foundation for the Arts’ Anonymous Was A Woman Environmental Art Grants offer up to US $20,000 for projects addressing issues like regeneration, climate change, ecofeminism, and systems-restoration.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing college studies in music, visual arts, dance, or drama may be eligible for this scholarship, which supports fine and visual arts education. Focused on arts-focused higher education, Communities Foundation of Oklahoma invites students from Shawnee High School, Liberty Academy, or qualifying home-school settings to apply.

American Indian and Alaska Native female graduate students in Alaska pursuing full-time degrees in fine or visual arts and related creative fields can receive need-based scholarship support; awards range from US $100 - US $30,000. Grants from Native Forward Scholars Fund help eligible students with demonstrated Tribal affiliation continue advanced study in the arts.

American Indian and Alaska Native vocational, undergraduate, and graduate students in fields like fine arts, visual arts, photography, film, and related disciplines can apply for Native Forward Scholars Fund’s Hillman Barnett Adkins Endowed Fund Scholarship; awards $100 to $30,000 per year for study at accredited U.S. institutions, including students from Alaska.

Alaska college and graduate students in visual arts or music can receive scholarship support for degree studies, including BFA, BA in Studio Art, MFA, or music degrees. Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee provides funding for majors such as painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, printmaking, and music, with a preference for acoustic mandolin or guitar students maintaining a 3.0 GPA.

U.S. college students in fine, visual, performing, or technical arts can receive scholarship support for campus-based degree studies. UNICO Foundation provides Alaska and other U.S. visual arts students with two awards of US $2,500 each to continue full-time study in 2026–2027, with applicants sponsored through an active UNICO chapter, district governor, or national office.

Visual artists and arts nonprofits in Alaska creating new public or nontraditional visual art commissions can apply for VIA Art Fund’s Artistic Production Grant Program; awards US $25,000 - US $100,000 for production and exhibition costs. Projects must have a confirmed exhibition venue or presenting partner and emphasize artistic excellence and public engagement.

Cherokee Nation Foundation

The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a nonprofit organization serving the Cherokee Nation, a federally recognized tribe of more than 470,000 citizens. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities to Cherokee students so they can reach their full potential. The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Scholarships

Cherokee Nation Foundation offers a diverse range of scholarships to help reverse the trend of rising student debt. Students may receive up to two CNF scholarships per academic year. All opportunities are reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens, unless otherwise noted in the description.

Anna Belle Mitchell Memorial Scholarship

Applicant must be an undergraduate, graduate student or community member currently pursuing pottery. Three pictures of artwork must be included with application for consideration. This is a one-year scholarship reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens.

Visual artists and arts organizations creating environmentally focused, solution-oriented projects in Alaska can apply for Puffin Foundation support. With a mission to open doors for underrepresented artists, Puffin provides funding for U.S.-based environmental artistic activism across fine art, film, photography, media arts, theater, music, and other art for social change disciplines.

The Marvin R. and Pearl E. Patterson Family Fund Scholarship, offered by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports students aspiring to study graphic or fine arts, as well as those interested in environmental sciences. Open to high school graduates from the Tri-Cities area, this scholarship considers leadership, community involvement, and academic achievements, although financial need is not a requirement. Applicants must provide transcripts and relevant documents to qualify for this opportunity.

Generally the Community Foundation's scholarships are awarded to applicants who have high financial need. Applicants with household income exceeding $100,000 are less likely to be awarded, but applying will allow you to be considered for targeted scholarships.

Mathilda & Carolyn Gallmeyer Scholarship

Open to students who are residents of Kent County for 5+ years, studying fine arts and with a minimum 2.75 GPA.

The AFNGA AusArt Scholarship, offered by the American Australian Association, supports Australian graduate students in fine arts or related fields for one year of artistic development in the US. With funding of US $30,000, recipients can cover travel, living, and tuition costs. Eligible applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents, emerging artists, and have a formal offer from an accredited US institution. This scholarship fosters cultural exchange and artistic growth between Australia and the US.

The Jonathan and Barbara Silver Foundation offers a $20,000 grant for writers focusing on sculpture, encouraging diverse voices in this field. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or hold an O-1 visa, and have published work within the last five years. The grant aims to support fresh perspectives on the history and aesthetics of sculpture, promoting artistic growth and innovation. Applications are limited to one submission per individual, ensuring a fair opportunity for all.

The Jonathan and Barbara Silver Foundation offers a $20,000 grant annually to support sculptors and writers on sculpture, promoting creativity and artistic development. This grant is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, as well as O-1 Visa holders, who demonstrate a strong commitment to sculpture. Eligible expenses include materials, research, and living costs. The foundation values diversity and does not discriminate based on background, ensuring a wide range of applicants can apply.

Our mission is to enhance quality of life, today and in the future, by:

• Enabling donors to fulfill their charitable desires
• Building a permanent endowment
• Facilitating prudent management and care of funds
• Meeting needs through grants, awards, and scholarships

CFCC: Solomon Valley Community Foundation: Fine Arts Future Development Scholarship

Graduating high school seniors in the Solomon Valley area, including Mitchell, Cloud, and Jewell Counties, that are pursuing a major in Instrumental Music or Art.

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds. 

Scholarships are provided for one academic year and are not automatically renewed each year. You can reapply to our program every year you are going to attend college, and the application you submit that year will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.

Edward A. and Shirley B. Livi Scholarship Fund

To support residents of Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire Counties who are pursuing fine or performing arts beyond their college freshman year.

Additional Guidelines

• Students can receive up to $3,000 in scholarships from the Community Foundation.
• Scholarship awards could impact the financial aid offered by a college, and students are advised to check with their college financial aid offices about this.
• Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. Some part and/or all the award could be considered taxable income. It is advisable students check with the college or tax accountant regarding this matter.

Ann and Anthony La Pietra Scholarship

Recipients are chosen based on their efforts and achievements in an area that reflects the lifelong pursuits of Ann and Anthony La Pietra, longtime Marshall residents. These areas include the fine arts, community service and advocacy to support people in need, prevent discrimination, protect the environment and work toward peace and understanding. Applicants should be pursuing studies/majors related to one or more of these areas. Academic success and financial need may be considered but are not necessarily determining factors. Students who receive this scholarship are encouraged to apply for further support in subsequent years. 

Final-year MFA students in painting or sculpture at U.S. programs, including those with connections to Alaska, can receive support for their studio practice through this fellowship. Grants from Dedalus Foundation help visual artists pursue their work, with up to US $15,000 awarded to each of four nominated fellows annually.