Best Grants for Visual Artists in Vermont

Nonprofit organizations, municipalities, schools, and fiscally sponsored projects in Vermont can apply for Vermont Community Foundation’s Arts & Social Cohesion Grant, awarding up to US $12,000 for community-based arts projects. Funding supports participatory visual and public art, performances, workshops, and similar activities that build social connection and wellbeing, including projects serving marginalized Vermonters.

Nonprofit organizations commissioning, purchasing, or exhibiting work by mid-career visual artists in Vermont and other eligible New England and New York areas can apply for US $1,500 - US $7,000 to support these projects. The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Artist Resource Trust Fund requires a 1:1 cash match and a two-year gap between prior A.R.T. grants.

U.S. college and university students in fine, visual, performing, or technical arts can apply for the Ralph J. Torraco Fine Arts Scholarship, awarding US $2,500 for degree studies. Vermont visual artists enrolled full-time at accredited campus-based programs and residing in a state with an active UNICO chapter may be eligible.

American Indian and Alaska Native vocational, undergraduate, and graduate students pursuing visual and fine arts fields can receive merit-based tuition support for study at accredited U.S. institutions through the Hillman Barnett Adkins Endowed Fund Scholarship. Vermont visual artists in eligible degree programs may qualify for this Native Forward Scholars Fund opportunity.

American Indian and Alaska Native female graduate students in the arts can receive US $100 - US $30,000 for full-time study in fine, visual, performing, or literary arts fields through the Elizabeth Furber Scholarship. Native Forward Scholars Fund supports students across the U.S., and Vermont visual artists who meet these criteria may be eligible.

Nonprofit organizations, 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 Vermont. Grants from Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation help fund significant art exhibitions, convenings, academic research, and arts education projects across the U.S.

Women-identifying visual and environmental artists in Vermont can seek up to US $20,000 to advance in-progress environmental art projects with public engagement. Focused on ecological and social ethics, New York Foundation for the Arts’ Anonymous Was A Woman Environmental Art Grants support projects on themes like regeneration, climate change, systems restoration, and eco-social engagement across the U.S.

Visual artists and arts nonprofits in Vermont can receive US $25,000 - US $100,000 from VIA Art Fund to produce and exhibit new public or nontraditional visual art commissions. Funding supports creation through exhibition, documentation, and dissemination, with priority for projects demonstrating artistic excellence, thought leadership, and strong public engagement, including potential gifts to U.S. public collections.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing college studies in music, visual arts, dance, or drama can use this scholarship for higher education costs. With a mission to support education and the arts, Communities Foundation of Oklahoma provides Shawnee, Oklahoma students with funding that may interest visual artists seeking postsecondary training, including those comparing opportunities beyond Vermont.

Rising college sophomores through graduate students in visual arts or music can apply for the Cynthia and Alan Baran Fine Arts and Music Scholarship Fund to support degree studies, including BFA, BA in Studio Art, MFA, or music degrees. Vermont visual arts students meeting the 3.0 GPA and major requirements may be eligible.

Individual artists and small arts nonprofits creating fine art, music, or photography projects can apply for up to US $3,500 from Puffin Foundation; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and DACA recipients are eligible. With a mission to support underrepresented artists, Puffin Foundation provides funding that may benefit visual artists in Vermont whose work fits these genres.

Final-year MFA students in painting or sculpture at U.S. programs, including those based in Vermont, can receive support for their studio practice and artistic development. Dedalus Foundation supports fine art through four annual MFA Fellowships, each awarding up to US $15,000 to nominated graduating students for their creative work.

Individual sculptors and writers on sculpture can receive US $20,000 to create a significant new work or body of work, covering materials, research, living costs, and related travel. Focused on sculpture, the Jonathan and Barbara Silver Foundation invites U.S.-based visual artists, including those in Vermont, who are not currently enrolled in degree programs to apply.

Individual U.S.-based writers focused on sculpture-related topics can receive support to create significant new written work in the field. With a mission to encourage fresh thinking on sculpture, Jonathan and Barbara Silver Foundation provides Vermont writers and visual arts critics with a US $20,000 grant to complete essays, books, memoirs, or related projects within one year.

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.

Emerging or early career Australian visual artists pursuing full-time artistic development in the U.S. can receive US $30,000 for travel, living, tuition, and related costs. With a mission to support cross-cultural artistic exchange, American Australian Association provides this graduate-level AusArt Scholarship, which may benefit fine artists and art historians connected to Vermont-based programs or institutions.

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. 

Graduating high school seniors pursuing instrumental music or visual art degrees may be eligible for this fine arts scholarship, including those from areas similar to Vermont’s visual arts community. Grants from Greater Salina Community Foundation support students in the Solomon Valley area, including Mitchell, Cloud, and Jewell Counties, as they begin higher education in the arts.

The Anne Gilbert Visual Arts Scholarship, offered by the Muskingum County Community Foundation, aims to support undergraduate college sophomores pursuing studies in fine arts, graphic design, art and design, or fashion design. Applicants must be residents of Muskingum County, have completed their freshman year, and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher. This scholarship encourages artistic development and community engagement, allowing students to further their education and creative pursuits.

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.

Individual artists, arts organizations, and fiscally sponsored projects creating environmental, climate-focused visual or fine art in Vermont can apply for Puffin Foundation’s Environmental Artistic Activism support. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients with an SSN, and projects should prioritize solution-focused environmental themes and smaller overall budgets.

With a mission to support education and the arts, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts provides Vermont visual and fine artists pursuing college-level fine or performing arts with up to US $3,000 for one academic year. Eligible students must be residents of Franklin, Hampden, or Hampshire Counties and studying beyond their freshman year.

Students pursuing degrees in fine art, visual arts, architecture, performing arts, or construction management can receive scholarship support for tuition and other educational expenses through the Walter Blackburn Scholarship from Central Indiana Community Foundation. With a mission to build opportunity, CICF assists higher-education students who demonstrate financial need and meet GPA and residency criteria; Vermont visual artists entering college may be eligible.

The Lisa Walder Scholarship Fund, managed by the San Antonio Area Foundation, supports female students pursuing degrees in fields such as Foreign Language, Liberal Arts, and Business. Eligible applicants include high school seniors and current college students enrolled in accredited institutions. With a focus on financial need, this renewable scholarship offers funding for up to three years, emphasizing academic achievement with a required GPA of 2.5. This program aims to empower women through education and community growth.

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.

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.

Barbara Jean Dyer Scholarship

Applicant must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours, major in art and maintain a 2.0 GPA.

The Catherine Pierce Scholarship, established by the United Negro College Fund, aims to support students pursuing degrees in the Arts and Art History. This scholarship reflects a commitment to fostering talent and leadership in creative fields. Eligible candidates must be enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. institution and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. Through this initiative, UNCF continues its mission to empower minority students and promote diversity in higher education.