Best Grants for Visual Artists in New Jersey

Individual artists in New Jersey creating choreography, crafts, music, photography, poetry, playwriting/screenwriting, or sculpture can apply for fellowships awarding US $3,000 - US $32,000 to advance their artistic work. With a mission to support the arts statewide, New Jersey State Council on the Arts offers these non–project-based awards, which include opportunities for visual artists.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits and visual artists focused on visual arts projects can seek funding for general operating or project support, including professional development. Focused on arts, animal welfare, and the environment, Joseph Robert Foundation invites Mid-Atlantic applicants to request up to US $10,000, with first-time organizational grants generally capped at US $5,000.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) organizations seeking program support for visual or cultural arts, education, environment, religion, social justice, or print-based media can apply for US $5,000 - US $15,000 grants. The Paulina and Stephen Cepreghy Charitable Foundation focuses on a small number of awards each year, favoring impactful, mission-driven projects.

Nonprofit organizations offering established visual arts, wellness, or middle school elective programs in New Jersey and other eligible regions can apply for the Corrine and Henry Bower Memorial Foundation’s directed-invitation grants, typically around Approximately US $8,300, to support year-round, direct-service programming. Selected applicants must demonstrate measurable outcomes, community need, and at least three years of organizational operation.

Early-career visual artists and other practicing artists interested in teaching can apply for the Princeton Arts Fellowship, funded in part by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, to spend two years at Princeton University in New Jersey. Fellows receive US $93,000 annually to teach light course loads or lead artistic projects while advancing their own work.

New Jersey arts organizations using visual, fine, performing, or literary arts to advance community health education and prevention can access funding through Horizon Charitable Foundation, with awards up to US $25,000. Eligible 501(c)(3) groups must be New Jersey-based, focus on health or arts in local communities, and address issues like obesity, behavioral health, or social determinants of health.

Visual arts nonprofits and accredited charities in New Jersey can seek funding for contemporary arts projects, cultural programming, and related educational or social initiatives. La Roche supports innovative, high-quality work worldwide in humanitarian and social development, science and education, community and environment, and arts and culture, prioritizing projects that promote sustainable development and engage local partners and employees.

Community college and university students in New Jersey studying visual arts or music can receive scholarship support for degree programs through the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Eligible rising sophomores through graduate students in BFA, BA Studio Art, MFA, or music degrees, including acoustic mandolin or guitar, may benefit from this fund.

Nonprofits, fiscally sponsored groups, university departments, and individual visual artists with projects tied to the Thoma collection areas can seek support for exhibitions, convenings, and scholarship, including in New Jersey. Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation particularly welcomes bold, innovative proposals and may prioritize rural and non-metro institutions in selected Southwestern states.

U.S. college and university students pursuing fine, visual, performing, or technical arts degrees can receive $2,500 scholarships to support their studies, including those based in New Jersey. UNICO Foundation provides these awards to full-time students with at least a 3.0 GPA who reside in a state with an active UNICO chapter.

American Indian and Alaska Native female graduate students in the arts can receive US $100 - US $30,000 in need-based scholarship support for full-time study, including visual and fine arts, from Native Forward Scholars Fund. Grants from Native Forward Scholars Fund help New Jersey visual artists who meet these criteria pursue advanced creative degrees at accredited institutions.

American Indian and Alaska Native vocational, undergraduate, and graduate students in fine and visual arts fields can apply for Native Forward Scholars Fund’s Hillman Barnett Adkins Endowed Fund Scholarship; awards $100 to $30,000 per year for accredited U.S. study. New Jersey visual artists pursuing eligible degrees at nonprofit or Tribal colleges may benefit.

Women-identifying visual artists in New Jersey developing environmental art projects may be eligible for up to US $20,000 to advance an existing project with public engagement in the U.S. or its territories. Grants from New York Foundation for the Arts support work addressing themes like regeneration, eco-social engagement, climate change, systems restoration, and related environmental issues.

Individual visual artists and arts nonprofits in New Jersey can apply for VIA Art Fund’s Artistic Production grants, awarding US $25,000 - US $100,000 for new public or nontraditional visual art commissions. Projects must have a confirmed exhibition venue or presenting partner and emphasize artistic excellence, thought leadership, and strong public engagement.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing college studies in music, visual arts, dance, or drama may be eligible for the Shawnee Fine Arts Club Scholarship, supporting higher education in the arts. Focused on arts education, Communities Foundation of Oklahoma invites students connected to Shawnee, Oklahoma to apply; New Jersey visual artists planning college study may review details for fit.

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.

Students pursuing fine arts who have lived in Kent County for at least five years can use this scholarship to support higher education costs. Grants from Grand Rapids Community Foundation help visual arts and fine art students with significant financial need; New Jersey artists studying in eligible programs may be able to qualify if they meet the residency requirement.

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.

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.

The Puffin Foundation's Annual Artist Grant Program focuses on supporting artists and organizations that are often marginalized. In even years, proposals are accepted in fine arts, music, and photography. With a maximum grant size of $3,500, it aims to empower individuals and groups with limited resources to flourish creatively. This initiative reflects the Foundation's commitment to ensuring diverse artistic expressions thrive in society. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or residents, and only one proposal is permitted per year.

Final-year MFA students in painting or sculpture at U.S. programs, including those based in New Jersey, can receive up to US $15,000 to support their artistic practice. Grants from Dedalus Foundation help emerging visual artists transition from graduate school, with candidates nominated by their department chairs and selected by a committee of arts professionals.

Visual artists and arts organizations in New Jersey creating environmentally focused, solution-oriented projects can apply for support from Puffin Foundation. With a mission to open doors for underrepresented artists, Puffin provides funding for U.S.-based fine art, media, photography, film, theater, and other art for social change addressing climate and environmental issues.

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.

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 Walter Blackburn Scholarship, established by Alpha Blackburn in memory of her husband, supports Marion County residents pursuing degrees in design, architecture, fine arts, performing arts, or construction management. Eligible students must demonstrate financial need and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Preference is given to public school and minority students. Awards cover educational expenses at accredited institutions, including tuition, fees, and sometimes room and board, fostering educational opportunities in Central Indiana.

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.