Best Grants for Creative Writing

New York State writers and artists seeking time and space to work on poetry, playwriting, screenwriting, fiction, or other literary projects can apply for fully funded residencies in Ithaca. With a mission to support creative practice, Constance Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts provides free housing, studio space, and weekly stipends, including added support for parents and full-time caregivers.

Individual literary and visual artists working in writing, poetry, and related arts in metro Detroit can receive $5,000 Gilda Awards to advance their creative practice. Kresge Foundation, through Kresge Arts in Detroit, supports emerging artists in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties who show strong potential and creative risk-taking in their work.

Individual literary and visual artists in metro Detroit working in creative writing and related disciplines can receive US $50,000 fellowships to advance their artistic careers. With a mission to expand equity and opportunity, Kresge Foundation provides Detroit-area writers and storytellers with unrestricted awards, career support, and a short film highlighting their work.

Literary Arts Project Grants

As part of its Literary Arts Initiative, South Arts is pleased to announce Literary Arts Project Grants supporting literary arts organizations and small presses that focus on contemporary literary arts.

These grants advance South Arts’ commitment to amplifying the literary traditions and artistic practices of the American South by directly supporting the development, production, and public engagement of high-quality literary projects.

Literary Arts Project Grants support projects in poetry, fiction, creative or literary nonfiction, young readers’ literature, and drama (scriptwriting). Projects must demonstrate artistic excellence, editorial rigor, and meaningful public or community impact.

Award Amount

South Arts will award up to $5,000 per project to eligible literary arts organizations and small presses.

Individual creative writers, poets, and performing artists in Nevada can receive US $5,000 to advance their artistic practice through this fellowship award. Nevada Arts Council supports literary and performing arts by recognizing sustained excellence and pivotal career moments, which may benefit writers and poets developing creative writing projects or bodies of work.

LGBTQIA+ artists 30 and under with financial need can access funding for a one-week creative residency in Provincetown through the Nicholas Dahl Visiting Artist Scholarship. Barnstable County writers, poets, and other creatives receive lodging, a PAAM workshop and materials, studio access, and membership to support their artistic development during the off-season.

Midcareer individual artists and culture bearers in Oregon can receive US $25,000 to support their overall creative development across visual and related arts disciplines. Grants from James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation help artists whose work may include writing, literature, or poetry as part of broader creative practice. This three-year pilot will fund 60 artists statewide.

Early-career writers in the U.S. from underrepresented communities can receive US $1,500 and a five‑month virtual mentorship to advance fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry projects. With a mission to support diverse literary voices, PEN America provides emerging authors with professional guidance, community, and industry access that can complement creative writing programs and workshops.

Nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations presenting community arts, literary, or poetry programs in Wisconsin’s Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Waushara, and Winnebago counties can receive up to US $5,000 to create and present public arts activities. Oshkosh Area Community Foundation supports exhibitions, performances, festivals, readings, and other accessible arts events that enhance local arts education and participation.

New York and California organizations hosting public literary readings or workshops can receive up to US $3,000 to pay participating writers’ fees. These mini-grants from Poets & Writers support published poets, fiction, and creative nonfiction writers, prioritizing culturally diverse programming, new presenters, rural or underserved audiences, and venues with strong outreach plans.

Early-career Native artists in the U.S. working in writing, poetry, and other creative disciplines can receive one-year support to develop new projects through the LIFT program. Native Arts & Cultures Foundation provides US $10,000 grants plus professional development, evaluation, and marketing support to help artists grow their practice and uplift their communities.

About Us

Our Mission

The Tennessee Arts Commission was created in 1967 by the Tennessee General Assembly with the special mandate to stimulate and encourage the presentation of the visual, literary, music and performing arts and to encourage public interest in the cultural heritage of Tennessee. TN Arts Commission Governing Policies can be found here.

The mission of the Tennessee Arts Commission is to cultivate the arts for the benefit of all Tennesseans and their communities. Our vision is a Tennessee where the arts inspire, connect and enhance everyday lives.

The Commission is supported by in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Individual Artist Fellowship

Recognition and acknowledgement of outstanding professional Tennessee artists who, through their work add to the cultural vitality of the state.

Fellowships provide those individuals who by education, experience, or natural talent engage in a particular art form or discipline, and live and work in Tennessee. To qualify, an artist must be financially compensated for his or her work, and this compensation must be a significant source of support for their livelihood.

Accepted categories for FY 2028:

• Visual Art:
  • Two-Dimensional Work
  • Mural Arts
  • Craft
• Media:
  • Film
  • Photography
• Dance:
  • Solo Dance, Choreography, or Movement-based Work
• Music:
• Performance-based Work
• Composition-based Work
• Theatre:
• Acting or Directing
• Playwriting
• Production Design (set, lighting, or costume)
• Literary Arts:
• Creative Non-fiction
• Fiction
• Children’s Literature/Young Adult Literature
• Poetry

Individual poets, writers, translators, and other creative practitioners seeking support for literary or poetry projects can receive US $5,000 for an immersive fellowship at Harvard’s Woodberry Poetry Room in Massachusetts. Funded by Harvard Public Library Trust, this opportunity includes a year of special library access and a one-week residency at the T. S. Eliot House.

Arts nonprofits in select Kentucky and Indiana counties can receive up to US $500,000 in general operating support to sustain programs and organizational health. Fund for the Arts provides returning grantees with funding that emphasizes community impact, engagement, and sustainable operations, which may benefit organizations running writing, literature, or creative writing initiatives.

Individual U.S. artists creating new work in literature, film, visual arts, or performing arts can receive up to US $50,000 in unrestricted project support, plus multi-year professional development and networking. Creative Capital Foundation’s national open-call Creative Capital Award may benefit writers and poets developing ambitious, innovative creative writing projects.

The Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship supports emerging writers focusing on music criticism. This fellowship encourages applicants to submit writing samples that critically analyze live or recorded music. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens or residents, 18 or older, and have less than two years of publication experience. The award includes unrestricted funds to advance their careers, alongside opportunities for publication and public speaking at the Democracy Center.

The Arts Education Grant Program, managed by Community Foundation Sonoma County, aims to enhance equitable access to high-quality arts education in Sonoma County. It supports 501(c)(3) nonprofits that empower students through visual, literary, and performing arts, helping them develop creativity and critical thinking skills. This initiative addresses disparities in arts education access, ensuring that all students can create, share, and reflect on their artistic endeavors, fostering community engagement and personal growth.

The Writer in Residence Grant, offered by the Idaho Commission on the Arts, is a prestigious biennial award recognizing literary excellence among Idaho writers. This grant not only provides financial support but also encourages engagement with the community through workshops and readings. Applicants must be practicing writers, at least 18 years old, and Idaho residents for one year prior to applying. The grant aims to foster literary appreciation and support arts jobs across the state.

The Miller Foundation offers Arts Grants to support small organizations in Oregon, providing vital funding for artistic programming and operations. These grants enhance community engagement through visual and performing arts, ensuring that arts education is accessible to all children. With a focus on operating support, the foundation aims to strengthen local arts organizations, enriching Oregon's cultural landscape. Eligible entities include 501(c)(3) organizations and public entities dedicated to arts and education, fostering creative growth statewide.

The Miller Foundation supports arts organizations in Oregon through its Fast Track grants, which fund vital artistic programming, performances, and arts education. These grants prioritize operating support, enabling organizations to thrive and connect communities through the arts. The Foundation believes in the transformative power of arts education, ensuring access for all youth. Eligible applicants include established nonprofits and public entities dedicated to enriching the cultural landscape of Oregon.

The Vilcek Foundation's 2026 Prizes for Creative Promise in Fashion & Design and Fashion & Culture will award six $50,000 prizes to young immigrant professionals. This initiative recognizes early- and mid-career creatives in fields such as fashion design, writing, and styling, highlighting the vital contributions of immigrants to the arts in the U.S. Eligible applicants must have at least five years of experience and intend to pursue their careers in the country.

Background & Purpose

The California Arts Council (CAC) is a statewide agency committed to serving California artists, arts organizations, and communities of all sizes and needs. Guided by racial equity principles, the CAC continuously evaluates its grantmaking practices to ensure fair and inclusive funding opportunities that sustain a vibrant, safe, and resilient creative ecosystem across the state.

Through regionally based Administering Organizations (AOs), the Individual Artists Fellowship (IAF) program uplifts and celebrates California artists across all disciplines and traditions, highlights their excellence and acknowledges their leadership in shaping traditional and contemporary cultures. The program includes three fellowship tiers with a different award amount:

CAC Emerging Artist Fellows – $5,000

Emerging artists are those in the beginning stages of making their work public and engaging the larger community in their practice.

CAC Established Artist Fellows – $10,000

Artists in the Established tier regularly make their work public and engage the larger community in their practice.

CAC Legacy Artist Fellows – $50,000

Artists in the Legacy tier can point to a significant body of work, produced over a substantial period of time, that has engaged their communities and that has made significant social impact.

The CAC approved eight regional AOs for the fellowship in September 2025. Each of the AOs has information and  details regarding their Individual Artists Fellowship programs, including application deadlines. If you are an individual artist, apply to the statewide fellowship program through the Regional AO listed below that serves your county. Please note: Individual artists must live in the region they are applying to and may submit an application to only one region.

• Bay Area (Kala Art Institute) - Counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma

• Central Valley & Sierra (Kern Dance Alliance) - Counties: Amador, Calaveras, Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare, Tuolumne

• Inland Empire & South Coast (ArtsOC) - Counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange

• Far South (Commission for Arts and Culture / Cultural Affairs) - Counties: Imperial, San Diego

• Central Coast (Arts Council Santa Cruz County) - Counties: Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Ventura

• Capital (Teatro Nagual) - Counties: Yolo, Solano, Sacramento, El Dorado, Alpine

• Upstate (Nevada County Arts Council (NCArts)) - Counties: Del Norte, Siskiyou, Modoc, Humboldt, Trinity, Shasta, Lassen, Mendocino, Tehama, Butte, Plumas, Lake, Glenn, Sierra, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Nevada, Placer

• South (Los Angeles Performance Practice) - County: Los Angeles

Region 1: Upstate Administered by the Nevada County Arts Council (NCArts)

In partnership with California Arts Council, Nevada County Arts & Culture is honored to serve as the Administering Organization for the Upstate Individual Artists Fellowship. The California Arts Council (CAC) has selected Nevada County Arts & Culture to design and implement a fellowship program that supports individual artists and culture bearers across all disciplines. The Upstate Individual Artists Fellowship will provide unrestricted funding in support of the fellows’ artistic practice. 

Nonprofit arts organizations in select Kentucky and Indiana counties can receive up to US $500,000 in general operating support to sustain programming and organizational health. Grants from Fund for the Arts help Writing & Literature and other arts groups advance community impact, equity, diversity, inclusion, and operational sustainability while supporting creative writing and literary initiatives.

Organizations, artist collectives, and individual artists providing writing and literature programming in the Greater Louisville area can receive US $100 - US $500 for paid appearances at community and workplace events. Fund for the Arts compensates participants for short performances or activations, helping creative writing and literary arts practitioners share their work with wider audiences.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored projects using stories, animal connection, or related approaches to build empathy across broad or national audiences in the U.S. may be eligible for funding. Focused on empathy-centered storytelling and social/emotional development, Acton Family Giving invites creative writing and literary organizations to introduce their work for potential future partnership consideration.

Nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that create public programs grounded in humanities scholarship can apply for National Endowment for the Humanities Public Humanities Projects awards of US $75,000 - US $750,000. Funding supports in-person, hybrid, or virtual projects exploring themes in history, literature, ethics, art history, and related writing and literature for general audiences.

Arts and culture 501(c)(3) organizations serving Pasadena, Altadena, or Sierra Madre can use these grants for ongoing programs, technology, innovation, and audience development. Grants from Pasadena Community Foundation help Greater Pasadena writing and literature nonprofits, including creative writing programs, invest in new technologies, expand community engagement, and collaborate to increase access to arts and culture. Awards range from US $5,000 - US $25,000.