Project Grants

The Project Grant is meant to support artists by helping move an idea/project/or body of work past the finish line and support an artists’ growth, experimentation, and ultimately their creative career. While the Accelerator Grant offers quick turnaround for immediate and broad needs of artists, the Project Grant is tied to the creation AND completion of a specific work of art. Applicants must have a good idea of how and when their work will be completed and be able to submit documentation of their finished work within the granting period. 

-Artists who have already received an Accelerator Grant(s) should feel comfortable applying for this opportunity.  

-Artists with an interest in growing their grantwriting skills or building their portfolios up to prepare for larger dollar grant requests or a Merit Award are encouraged to apply for a Project Grant.

-While hobbyists and emerging artists are welcome to apply, competitive applicants will have a prior body of work and should be prepared to submit work samples of their original works of art.

Artists submitting competitive applications will be able to articulate their goals for a specific project’s public presentation and will have a clear and achievable timeline for project completion. If awarded, all funds MUST be expended and creative projects MUST be completed by April 1, 2026.

Through artist surveys, listening sessions, and conversations with applicants, we saw a need for a broader range of funding opportunities that supported more artists at a higher dollar amount. Artists were requesting support for specific projects and they wanted to dream big, so the Project Grant was created!

Yes! Artists with upcoming exhibitions may request framing support totaling no more than 50% of the request.

Yes! You may pay other artists to help you with your project such as illustrators, musicians, copywriters, copy editors, fabricators, etc.

Producers, commercial artists, creative directors, art organizers, or those providing logistical support to other artists are not eligible for this opportunity. However, applicants may include paying producers under the Project Support category. 

Artists are limited to one Project Grant every three calendar years, i.e. artists who received funding in 2025 will not be eligible to apply again until 2028.

-Artists who receive a Project Grant in 2025 must wait until 2028 to apply for an Accelerator Grant. 

-Artists who received an Accelerator in 2024 are eligible to apply for a 2025 Project Grant. 

-2024 Merit Grant recipients must wait until 2026 to apply for a Project Grant.

Awardees must spend funds within 9 months of receiving their award, and they must be able to submit a final report within 10 months of receiving their award. If your funding cannot be spent or reported on within that time frame, please consider applying to a future round.

Research the actual prices of items or services included in your budget. Panelists like to see detailed and itemized lists that address why support is needed and how it supports your creative practice or experimentation. Double-check the guidelines to make sure you are not requesting funds for ineligible expenses like travel, lodging, or rent. Requests MUST be directly related to your practice.

At least 50% of your request should be directly related to art-making.

Applications will be reviewed by a Grant Panel composed of an Arts Commission board member and representatives from the performing, literary, and visual arts communities. Arts Commission staff do NOT make funding recommendations or score applications.

Scale of 0-3: 0. Incomplete, 1. Needs Improvement, 2. Acceptable, or 3. Exemplary. 

Dedication to Artistic Practice

Creative Merit

Impact on Artist’s Career

Project Feasibility

Public Presence