With limited methods of accurately tracking people with the arts as their main source of income, the estimated figures for all working American artists (from literary to performing, cultural to visual) are around 1.4 million.
It is often very difficult for practicing artists to adequately finance the creation, display and marketing of their art due to their relatively low earnings. This means that they almost always need financial support for art supplies, manufacturing costs, travel, studio space, display, marketing, and other expenses.
Although most foundations generally award grants to non-profit organizations, artists are the exception to this rule, as scholarships and grants are a very popular source of funding, among others listed below;
Scholarships and grants
Often provided by private foundations and some art agencies (funded by public funds), the funds can cover fees and other expenses, giving the artist the freedom to worry only about creativity. Grants are generally competitive and provide assistance on different terms such as amount awarded, application procedures, stipulations, etc. Some are much more restricted than others and eligibility and openness vary from nomination and application to need or award for a particular competition.
Artists residencies
This funding opportunity for artists generally requires shifting from normal obligations and surroundings to benefit from studio space, housing, living stipends, and travel often provided in residences.
Fiscal sponsorship
Contracting with a nonprofit organization for fiscal sponsorship when you have projects related to your mission can provide a valuable funding opportunity for artists. This fiscal sponsorship relationship implies that the artist makes use of the sponsor’s tax-exempt status to request charitable contributions that are tax deductible.
Free or discounted services
Certain organizations and agencies are dedicated to making legal, tax and healthcare services particularly available to cash-strapped artists facing tough times. Some of these services are offered with discounts and others are totally free.
Even with numerous artist funding opportunities, such as cash grants, internships, employment, and residencies, understanding eligibility issues and qualification requirements is very important and should receive sufficient attention. Poor proposals explain why many artists are overlooked for funding. Therefore, among the important activities such as finding valuable information, hiring the services of a qualified grant writer will definitely have a great effect on improving the chances of an artist being selected for funding because their proposals are prepared. with professional experience.
Although eligibility is by nomination only, the MacArthur Scholarship and the Joan Mitchell Foundation Scholarship are among the most valuable and prestigious awards to support artists. With a wide range of different eligibility requirements, examples of leading artist grant opportunities available for open application include;
The awesome foundation for the arts and sciences
For: awesome projects
Time: Awarded monthly. The apps are rolling
Value: $ 1,000
This Foundation is a group of small philanthropists who award monthly micro-grants of $ 1,000 to people who have incredible ideas. The grant for each chapter is donated by 10 trustees, $ 100 each for scientific, artistic and / or social projects. Past “impressive” recipients include a telephone book farm in Ottawa, a (portable) pipe organ, and a giant hammock in Boston. There are no eligibility restrictions for this incredible grant.
Brooklyn Arts Council Grants
For: G train enthusiasts
Time: late summer, annually
Value: Average between $ 1,700 and $ 2,100
This grant is open to Brooklyn-based artists. Reward projects with financing from public components. It encompasses dance and theater productions, gallery exhibitions, musical concerts, films, workshops, public arts installations, screenings, and curatorial projects. Since 30-40% of applicants generally benefit from at least some funding, the chances of obtaining assistance when applying are very high. Eligibility requires artists with proof of Brooklyn residency.
The Pollock-Krasner Foundation
For: painters, draftsmen, engravers and sculptors
Time: no deadlines
Value: Depending on the particular circumstances of the artist ($ 5,000 – $ 20,000)
This foundation, started by Jackson Pollock’s widow, Lee Krasner, who is also an Abstract Expressionist painter, awards scholarships to artists at all times throughout the year. Applicants must be financially needy and possess and demonstrate a peculiar artistic talent with their recent work in galleries, museums and / or exhibition spaces. Examples of notable people who have received this grant include Zoe Leonard, Jane Benson, Valerie Hegarty, Thornton Willis, Alyson Shotz.
New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) Scholarship
To: New York City Writers, Artists, Filmmakers, and Musicians
Time: annually
Value: $ 7,000
With ever-changing categories and media every year, this grant is the Holy Grail for New York-based artists. Artists from a wide range of disciplines receive cash awards through the NYFA scholarship with no restrictions on how they will be used. Five categories are open for applications each year. Examples of notable beneficiaries include; Zhou Long, Jennifer Egan, Doug Aitken, Barbara Kruger, Todd Haynes, Junot Diaz; Spike Lee, Marilyn Minter, Christian Marclay.
There are many other grants, scholarships, and other national and international funding opportunities accessible to artists that are general or target particular groups such as disciplines, location, race, gender, religious beliefs, ethnicity, political background, etc. Finding the ideal just requires proper research and application or follow-up.
