Best Grants for Visual Artists in Illinois

U.S. college students in fine, visual, performing, or technical arts can receive $2,500 scholarships to support their degree studies, including those from Illinois. UNICO Foundation provides these awards to full-time students at accredited campus-based programs with at least a 3.0 GPA who reside in a state with an active UNICO chapter.

Creative Accelerator Fund

The Illinois Arts Council’s (IAC) Creative Accelerator Fund (CAF) provides crucial support to artists with the goal of strengthening the creative workforce that composes a significant portion of Illinois’ economic activity. CAF recognizes and supports the vital role that artists play as builders and innovators in their communities. By investing in their practice and professional growth, the fund not only enriches the lives of artists but also encourages broader community engagement and investment, leading to a vibrant cultural landscape and fostering connections among residents.

Making Arts Accessible to All

Accessibility in the arts provides inclusive participation of people with disabilities in all cultural and creative spaces. Recipients of IAC funds are expected to make reasonable efforts for any public art activities and programs to be as accessible as possible.

Funding

This is a $10,000 taxable award.

Each IAC region has its own allocation and will select recipients from the applications submitted in that region. Additionally, IAC has transitioned to compliance-based evaluation criteria and does not evaluate the quality of artistic work or artistic accomplishments. The CAF randomized applicant selection is done in partnership with the Illinois State Lottery.

Illinois arts and cultural nonprofits and tribal organizations can receive US $2,000 - US $15,000 to present professional artists and offer educational events through the GIG Fund. Arts Midwest provides flexible support for touring or local artist fees, accessibility accommodations, marketing, and at least two public, interactive activities, including one reaching underserved audiences.

Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in Illinois can access funding through Arts Midwest to support arts and wellness projects involving professional artists. Grants of US $2,000 - US $15,000 fund performances, workshops, clinical or creative aging programs, and similar activities. Visual arts groups offering wellness-focused programming may be eligible if they meet regional and UEI requirements.

Illinois visual arts and craft-focused organizations can access funding through Windgate Charitable Trust to support contemporary craft and visual arts programs. Eligible projects include artist residencies, fellowships, educational outreach, K–12 visual art-integrated programs, teacher professional development, and materials or equipment for craft and visual arts initiatives in the U.S., including Illinois.

Nonprofit organizations running established visual arts, wellness, or middle-school education programs in Illinois and other eligible states can apply for approximately US $8,300 from the Corinne R & Henry Bower Memorial Foundation. Funding supports year-round, direct-service programs with demonstrated impact, strong financial accountability, and a focus on broad community benefit or underserved populations.

American Indian and Alaska Native female graduate students in fine and visual arts can receive need-based support for full-time study through the Elizabeth Furber Scholarship, including students from Illinois. Grants from Native Forward Scholars Fund provide US $100 - US $30,000 to those who can document Tribal affiliation with a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Women-identifying visual and environmental artists in Illinois and across the U.S. can apply for New York Foundation for the Arts’ Anonymous Was A Woman Environmental Art Grants, offering up to US $20,000 for in-progress projects. Funding supports environmentally engaged art with free public components, to be completed or advanced between August 2025 and August 2026.

Illinois 501(c)(3) organizations, fiscally sponsored groups, and local government units offering arts programs can access funding through the Community Foundation of Central Illinois for projects serving central Illinois. Grants up to US $10,000 support arts education, performing arts, musical and cultural activities, visual fine arts for display, and art therapy initiatives within CFCI’s 50-mile Peoria service area.

Visual artists, nonprofits, and institutions in Illinois can apply for VIA Art Fund’s Artistic Production Grant Program; awards 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 planning to study music, visual arts, dance, or drama can use this scholarship to begin their fine arts education, including Illinois students who meet residency and school criteria. Focused on arts education, Communities Foundation of Oklahoma invites eligible students to apply for the Shawnee Fine Arts Club Scholarship to support their university studies.

Community college and university students in Illinois studying visual arts or music can receive scholarship support for BFA, BA in Studio Art, or MFA programs, as well as music degrees. Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee provides funding for rising sophomores through graduate students maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher, including part-time enrollees.

American Indian and Alaska Native vocational, undergraduate, and graduate students in fine or 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. Illinois-based visual arts students meeting Tribal affiliation and 3.0 GPA requirements may be eligible.

Nonprofits, fiscally sponsored groups, university departments, and individual visual arts scholars can seek support for exhibitions, convenings, and academic projects connected to the Thoma Foundation’s collection areas across the U.S., including Illinois. Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation prioritizes innovative art and art history initiatives, with particular interest in rural and under-resourced communities and the American Southwest.

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.

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. 

Illinois visual arts students pursuing degrees in design, architecture, fine art, performing arts, or construction management may be eligible for the Walter Blackburn Scholarship. Focused on higher education, Central Indiana Community Foundation offers need-based support for tuition, fees, and sometimes room, board, or books at accredited postsecondary institutions.

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 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 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.

Australian emerging or early-career visual artists pursuing graduate-level study in fine arts, art history, curatorial or related fields in the U.S., including those from Illinois, can receive US $30,000 for one year of full-time artistic development. Funding from American Australian Association supports travel, living, tuition, and other costs at accredited U.S. institutions.

The Fine Arts Fund Grant, administered by the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley, aims to enhance cultural initiatives in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties. Grants of up to $2,500 will support non-profit organizations in various artistic disciplines, including music, literature, and visual arts. The foundation seeks impactful projects that demonstrate creativity and community engagement, ensuring that funds are allocated effectively to foster artistic expression and community 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.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing instrumental music or visual art degrees, especially in fine arts, may be eligible for scholarship support in the Solomon Valley area. With a mission to enhance quality of life, Greater Salina Community Foundation assists students from Mitchell, Cloud, and Jewell Counties who plan to study these fields beyond high school.

Visual artists and arts organizations creating environmentally focused, solution-oriented projects in Illinois can apply for Puffin Foundation support. With a mission to open doors for underrepresented artists, Puffin Foundation provides U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, and fiscally sponsored groups with funding for climate and environmental artistic activism across visual and other eligible art disciplines.

Students pursuing fine arts who have lived in Kent County for at least five years and meet GPA requirements can receive scholarship support for higher education. Grants from Grand Rapids Community Foundation help fine art and visual arts students, including those from Illinois now residing in Kent County, with demonstrated financial need pursue their studies.

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.