Best Grants for Visual Artists

The Dorothy Iglehart Pumphrey Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Howard County, provides $1,000 to a talented senior from Howard County Public Schools or Chapelgate High School. Applicants must pursue a career in fine arts (painting, drawing, sculpture) or have significant involvement in the arts. This scholarship alternates years since its inception in 2016, aiming to support promising students in their educational pursuits.

The Richard and Mary Myerly Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Washington County, MD, supports low-income students pursuing careers in photography or fine arts at accredited institutions. Established in memory of Richard and Mary Myerly, this scholarship invites applications from students in Washington County and surrounding areas, promoting educational opportunities and honoring community values. With over 100 scholarships available, this initiative aims to empower the next generation of artists and photographers.

The BICA Microgrant, offered by the Buffalo Institute for Contemporary Art, provides a $300 no-strings-attached grant for artists and curators in the greater Buffalo area. This initiative aims to support creative projects that include public events and take place within a three-month timeframe. By offsetting costs associated with exhibitions and performances, the grant empowers underrepresented artists, fostering a vibrant cultural scene in Buffalo.

The Woodman Family Foundation Housing Stability Grant for Artists provides $30,000 over three years to NYC-based visual artists facing housing instability. This initiative addresses the rising unaffordability of rental housing in New York City, aiming to enhance artists' housing security. The funds can be used for rent, security deposits, or utilities, allowing recipients to maintain focus on their artistic practices while ensuring stable living conditions. This grant supports five artists in its inaugural cycle.

The Interlace Grant Writing Mentorship Program connects emerging visual artists with experienced mentors who have successfully navigated grant writing. This initiative supports newer artists in crafting proposals and developing project management skills essential for their creative pursuits. Eligible participants must reside within 10 miles of Providence, Rhode Island, be at least 18 years old, and have not received an Interlace Project Grant as a lead applicant in the past two years. This program fosters growth and opportunity in the art community.

Night Bloom: Grants for Artists is designed to enhance the arts community in Tucson, offering funding between $3,500 to $7,500 for innovative visual arts projects by local artists and groups. This initiative encourages artistic collaboration and engagement within the unique contexts of the Sonoran Desert region. Supported by MOCA Tucson and the Andy Warhol Foundation, it prioritizes projects that are free, accessible, and foster community interaction while adhering to specific eligibility criteria.

The Interlace Grant Fund offers Emergency Grants to visual artists in the Providence area facing urgent needs like eviction or healthcare costs. Applications are accepted monthly, with awards between $50 and $500, totaling $1250 each month. Artists can apply repeatedly until they reach a maximum of $500. The grants are unrestricted and do not require reporting, ensuring support is provided without barriers. Recipients will remain anonymous to protect their privacy.

The Victor Thomas Jacoby Award, established by the Humboldt Area Foundation, supports visual artists and craftspeople in Humboldt County. This grant encourages creativity through exploration of new ideas and materials, offering up to four awards of $10,000 each. Artists are invited to submit their artistic projects along with samples of their work. The foundation aims to foster a thriving arts community while promoting racial equity and environmental sustainability.

The Interlace Grant Fund offers Project Grants between $5,000 and $6,000 to support Providence-area artists in creating and presenting new work. This initiative particularly values innovative visual art that enhances public engagement and understanding. The grants aim to spotlight underrepresented artistic endeavors and foster community connections through collaborative projects. Eligible applicants must be practicing visual artists living within a 10-mile radius of Providence, Rhode Island, and meet specific criteria, ensuring meaningful contributions to the local art scene.

The NYSCA Arts Bring Change (ABC) Grants support local cultural organizations and artists who collaborate with public schools to provide K-12 students with engaging artistic experiences. Funded by the New York State Council on the Arts, this program emphasizes art exploration and requires projects to include hands-on learning sessions. Applicants must demonstrate a partnership with schools and meet specific eligibility criteria, ensuring impactful and meaningful artistic education for students.

The SU-CASA Grant is a 3-month program placing local artists in Staten Island senior centers to engage older adults through creative workshops. Each residency concludes with a public event showcasing the participants' work. Artists receive a stipend of $6,000 and a $2,000 budget for materials. Funded by the NYC Council, this initiative fosters collaboration among various city departments and supports artists passionate about teaching and working with seniors.

Rocket Grants offer funding up to $6,000 for innovative, artist-centered projects in public spaces within the Kansas City area. Artists, curators, and collectives can apply, provided they reside within an 80-mile radius and are over 21. This initiative aims to foster a vibrant arts community by supporting unconventional artistic expressions that engage diverse audiences. Notably, projects must be accessible to the public and cannot benefit established non-profits or be primarily for travel or equipment expenses.

The Open Fund Grant supports innovative visual artist projects that are experimental and community-oriented. Administered by The Poor Farm and The Open, it offers funding of $5,000 to $10,000 for initiatives based in Milwaukee County. Eligible projects must be artist-organized, publicly accessible, and primarily focused on the visual arts. The grant prioritizes collaboration and aims to enhance public engagement through unique artistic expressions, fostering creativity within diverse communities.

Power Plant Grants, funded by The Andy Warhol Foundation and managed by Big Car Collaborative, aim to invigorate the Indianapolis arts scene. These grants support visual artists taking creative risks and exploring uncharted territories in their work. Each year, five selected artists or teams receive $12,000 to fund innovative projects that engage the community and push artistic boundaries, thereby fostering collaboration and experimentation in the local art landscape.

The Platform Fund Grants, initiated by Antenna, Ashé Cultural Arts Center, and the Andy Warhol Foundation, support independent artists and collectives in the Greater New Orleans Area. Established in 2007, the grants are categorized into Research & Development, Visual Arts Project Implementation, and Culture Bearer Implementation. These grants target projects that foster community engagement and artistic innovation, allowing applicants to apply once annually while providing specific eligibility criteria to ensure support reaches those most in need.

The Manhattan Arts Grants: Creative Engagement, offered by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), supports artists and community-focused organizations in accessing public funds to present rich arts activities. Since 1983, these grants have been vital in fostering cultural vibrancy across Manhattan. With funding from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and other partners, LMCC helps artists connect with communities from Inwood to The Battery, enhancing public spaces through various artistic disciplines.

The Manhattan Arts Grants: Creative Learning, managed by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, supports local artists and organizations in providing community-based arts education, particularly for older adults. Established in 1983, this program enhances public spaces through artistic engagement and offers crucial funding to those unable to access city or state arts funding directly. With backing from various cultural institutions, it fosters creativity and resilience within Manhattan's diverse communities.

The Manhattan Arts Grants: UMEZ Arts Engagement program supports Upper Manhattan artists and arts organizations in accessing funds to enhance cultural presentations. Managed by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, this initiative fosters community engagement through diverse art projects, promoting equity and accessibility in the arts. Since its inception in 1983, it has bolstered the cultural vibrancy of Manhattan, providing vital resources for artistic expression and collaboration within the community.

The Local Arts Support Grant, funded by the New York State Council on the Arts, empowers Brooklyn's artists and arts organizations by providing funding for community engagement projects. Designed for nonprofit organizations and artist-nonprofit partnerships, it supports diverse artistic disciplines and does not require matching funds. In 2025, it distributed $265,000 to 63 projects, enhancing local cultural initiatives through performances, exhibitions, and workshops that foster community involvement and enrich the arts landscape.

The Brightwork Grants: Professional Development, initiated by the North Carolina Arts Council, aims to support visual artists in their professional growth. Starting in 2026, one selected artist will receive funding for activities enhancing their development, such as workshops, portfolio documentation, and equipment purchases. Eligible applicants must reside in specific North Carolina counties for at least one year and be 21 or older. Notably, those awarded the Brightwork Fellowship after 2022 are ineligible.

The Brightwork Grants: Special Project Grant, offered by the North Carolina Arts Council, aims to support visual artists in 2026. One artist will receive funding for studio-based projects, which may cover equipment purchases, exhibition-related expenses, and project-specific research costs. Eligible applicants must reside in designated North Carolina counties and be at least 21 years old. This initiative fosters artistic innovation and community enrichment by empowering local talent through targeted financial support.

The Nicholas Dahl Visiting Artist Scholarship, offered by the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, supports LGBTQIA+ artists aged 30 and under with a passion for various art forms. This one-week scholarship, available from November to April, includes lodging, workshop materials, and studio access. It aims to foster creativity and connections within the vibrant Provincetown arts community while promoting educational opportunities in the arts.

The Leeway x Fleisher Visual Artist Residency supports women and trans artists by offering a unique opportunity to create art for social change from January to December 2026. Past Leeway grantees can apply to use Fleisher Art Memorial's facilities, receiving a $3,000 stipend, inclusion in a faculty show, and access to various art studios. Participants will also engage in community outreach through a public workshop or talk, culminating in a final exhibition to showcase their work.

Funded by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), this money is for arts and cultural projects that contribute to creative experiences for audiences in Brooklyn. The best proposals share how the project will impact the cultural life of their audience and community.

In 2026, Brooklyn Arts Fund distributed $625,000 to 136 projects across Brooklyn.

Yaddo's Residency provides a tranquil retreat for artists in Saratoga Springs, New York, fostering creativity through undisturbed work in a supportive environment. Open to professional and emerging artists across various disciplines, residencies last from two weeks to two months and include room, board, and a studio. Applications are evaluated solely on the quality of the work, encouraging diverse talents to apply without publication or performance requirements.

About

The Costume Society of America (CSA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded on March 23, 1973, and incorporated in the state of New York on September 12, 1973. CSA serves it members, and promotes its goals with national symposia and publications including the journal Dress and its monthly electronic newsletter CSA e-News.

The organization began forming regional groups in 1978. There are six regional groups in the United States and Canada, and one international group. Individual regions hold annual meetings, sponsor programs and publish newsletters.

Our Mission

The Costume Society of America fosters an understanding of appearance and dress practices of people across the globe through research, education, preservation, and design. Our network of members studies the past, examines the present, and anticipates the future of clothing and fashion.

Colleen Callahan Professional Development Award

Members are invited to apply for the Professional Development Grant offered by Southeastern Region of the Costume Society of America. Awards will be made at a minimum of $250 with the total award not to exceed $1000. Your project may be on any aspect of costume, any technical skill, or any administrative expertise which will further the mission and purposes of the Costume Society of America. The grant money may be applied to research, a course, workshop fees, or travel.

About

The Costume Society of America (CSA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded on March 23, 1973, and incorporated in the state of New York on September 12, 1973. CSA serves it members, and promotes its goals with national symposia and publications including the journal Dress and its monthly electronic newsletter CSA e-News.

The organization began forming regional groups in 1978. There are six regional groups in the United States and Canada, and one international group. Individual regions hold annual meetings, sponsor programs and publish newsletters.

Our Mission

The Costume Society of America fosters an understanding of appearance and dress practices of people across the globe through research, education, preservation, and design. Our network of members studies the past, examines the present, and anticipates the future of clothing and fashion.

Jim Liles Student Award

 The Jim Liles Student Award is intended to assist students who want to make presentations at a CSA Southeastern Region symposium. These presentations may be on any costume-related topic. The work should be well researched and may or may not be thesis, dissertation, course research project, independent study research, or senior project related. Up to TWO students whose papers are accepted will receive up to $1,000 each to cover travel and other related expenses. The Registration fee will be waived for all student presenters, regardless of whether they receive this award.