Best Grants for Visual Artists in Montana

Undergraduate visual arts students in Montana pursuing a degree from the Montana State University School of Art can apply for the Baide Family Scholarship to support their fourth year or thesis semester. This scholarship may benefit fine art and visual arts students, with preference for those studying metalsmithing within art or arts and architecture programs.

Montana individuals and organizations enhancing the state’s environment or communities can apply for Jerry Metcalf Foundation’s annual awards, ranging from US $1,000 - US $5,000. Funding can support specific projects, buildings, endowments, operations, or matching funds, including visual arts, performing and literary arts, education, community health, and related cultural or conservation work.

Undergraduate students in Montana State University’s College of Arts and Architecture can apply for the Robert E. Yoblonsky Student Leadership Scholarship to support their studies. Sophomore to senior visual arts, architecture, film, photography, or music majors with financial need who serve as College of Arts and Architecture Student Ambassadors may be eligible.

American Indian and Alaska Native female graduate students in visual and fine arts can receive need-based support for full-time study through the Elizabeth Furber Scholarship, including students from Montana. Grants from Native Forward Scholars Fund help cover graduate education in visual arts, crafts, media arts, performing and literary arts, creative writing, and poetry; awards range from US $100 - US $30,000.

Visual artists, nonprofits, and institutions in Montana creating new public or nontraditional visual art commissions can apply for VIA Art Fund’s Artistic Production Grant Program, with awards of US $25,000 - US $100,000. Projects must have a confirmed exhibition venue or presenting partner and emphasize artistic excellence, thought leadership, and strong public engagement.

American Indian and Alaska Native vocational, undergraduate, and graduate students in fine or visual arts can apply for Native Forward Scholars Fund’s Hillman Barnett Adkins Endowed Fund Scholarship; awards range from $100 to $30,000 per year. Eligible Montana students at accredited U.S. institutions pursuing studio art, photography, film, or related creative fields may benefit.

Rising college sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students in Montana studying visual arts or music can receive scholarship support for accredited degree programs. Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee funds BFA, BA in Studio Art, MFA, or music degrees, including painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, printmaking, and acoustic mandolin or guitar, for students maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Nonprofits, fiscally sponsored groups, university departments, and individual visual artists in Montana and nationwide can seek support for exhibitions, convenings, and scholarly or educational projects tied to the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation’s collection areas. Thoma Foundation supports fine and visual art, media art, and art history projects, with particular interest in rural and under-resourced communities.

Women-identifying visual and fine artists in Montana creating environmental art projects can apply for Anonymous Was A Woman Environmental Art Grants, offering up to US $20,000 to advance in-progress work. Grants from New York Foundation for the Arts support U.S.-based projects with free public engagement that address ecological and social issues through creative practice.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing college studies in music, visual arts, dance, or drama may be eligible for the Shawnee Fine Arts Club Scholarship, including visual artists in Montana who meet these criteria. Focused on arts-focused higher education, Communities Foundation of Oklahoma supports students accepted to a university with at least a 2.7 GPA.

U.S. college students in fine, visual, performing, or technical arts can receive scholarship support to continue full-time campus-based studies, including those from Montana. UNICO Foundation provides two $2,500 awards to citizens with at least a 3.0 GPA who will remain enrolled in 2026–2027 and reside in a state with an active UNICO chapter.

Montana visual artists working in sculpture can access funding through the Jonathan and Barbara Silver Foundation to create significant new work. This annual US $20,000 grant supports U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or O-1 sculptors with materials, research, artist fees, travel, and living expenses, including childcare, for a one-year project.

Individual writers creating critical or scholarly work on sculpture can receive US $20,000 to develop a significant project, with one year to complete it. The Jonathan and Barbara Silver Foundation supports U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or O-1 visa holders whose sculpture-related writing has been published within the last five years, including essays, books, and memoirs.

Visual artists and arts organizations creating solution-focused environmental and climate activism projects in Montana can apply for support from Puffin Foundation. With a mission to open doors for underrepresented artists, Puffin provides funding to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, and fiscally sponsored projects across visual disciplines, prioritizing U.S.-based, environmentally conscious work.

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.

The MFA Fellowship, funded by the Dedalus Foundation, provides a $15,000 stipend to final-year students graduating from MFA programs in Painting and Sculpture in the U.S. Annually, four fellowships are awarded based on nominations from department chairpersons, allowing institutions to nominate two candidates each. Nominees must graduate in the following spring semester and submit application materials including work samples and a biographical statement. This initiative supports emerging artists in their professional development.

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.

Focused on visual arts education, Muskingum County Community Foundation invites Montana visual arts students to apply for the Anne Gilbert Visual Arts Scholarship supporting undergraduate study. Eligible applicants must be Muskingum County residents, have completed their freshman year, hold at least a 2.5 GPA, and major in fine arts, graphic design, art and design, or fashion design.

Students pursuing degrees in design, architecture, fine art, performing arts, or construction management can receive scholarship support for college costs through the Walter Blackburn Scholarship. Focused on higher education, Central Indiana Community Foundation invites applicants who are Marion County residents, demonstrate financial need, and meet GPA requirements; Montana visual artists studying these fields may be eligible if they satisfy residency criteria.

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.

Australian emerging or early career visual artists pursuing full-time graduate-level study in the U.S. can receive US $30,000 for travel, living, tuition, and other artistic development costs. Montana-based or other U.S. institutions hosting these artists may benefit as partners through the AusArt Scholarship, offered by the American Australian Association with American Friends of the National Gallery of Australia.

Montana visual and fine artists pursuing college-level fine or performing arts may be eligible for the Edward A. and Shirley B. Livi Scholarship Fund, which supports students beyond their freshman year. Administered by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, awards up to US $3,000 can help cover tuition, fees, room, board, and related educational costs.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing instrumental music or art degrees may be eligible for this fine arts scholarship, focused on future study rather than current practice. With a mission to enhance quality of life, Greater Salina Community Foundation supports higher education in the Solomon Valley area, which may interest visual arts–focused students exploring opportunities beyond Montana.

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 fine art students with significant financial need; Montana visual artists studying fine arts and meeting the residency and GPA requirements may be eligible.

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.

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.