Frequently Asked Questions

Grant Cycles & Awards

  • We hold three grant cycles each year, with deadlines on March 15, July 15, and November 15.

    • March 15 deadline: Open Nov 16–Mar 15

    • July 15 deadline: Open Mar 16–Jul 15

    • November 15 deadline: Open Jul 16–Nov 15

  • No. We award one grant during each competition.

  • Winners are announced on our website, social media, and mailing list 6–8 weeks after each deadline. We also email all applicants.

  • No. Matching funds are not required.

Eligibility

  • You are eligible if you are:

    • 18 years or older

    • An artist anywhere in the world

    • An individual artist, or part of an artist duo or team

      • If a duo or collective wins, members must split the award

    • A visual artist working in:

      • Painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics

      • Printmaking, photograph

      • Mixed/multiple media, installation

      • New or alternative visual art forms that can be understood through still images
        (The jury does not review film or video.)

  • Yes. We welcome artists from anywhere in the world.

  • Yes.

  • Yes. If still images can sufficiently represent your work, you may apply.

  • We cannot devote the time required to review video and film submissions.

  • No. Artists may win once.

  • Yes. Runners-up and honorable mention artists may reapply.

  • No. You may apply only once per cycle.
    If you work both individually and as part of a duo/collective, apply as one or the other, not both.

Application Information

  • Email submit@artistgrant.org with:

    • A link to your website/portfolio
      or
      3–5 images of your work (JPG, PNG, or PDF)

    • A brief bio, résumé, or CV

    • A statement indicating whether we have permission to feature your work on social media

    Pay the $30 application fee via our “Apply” page

  • No. Applications must follow the process on our Apply page. We do not accept nominations.

  • Email either 3–5 images or a link to your website where we can view your portfolio of work.

  • Yes.

Portfolio Content & Guidelines

  • Either approach is fine.
    However, the review rubric includes cohesiveness as one criterion. “Cohesive” does not mean identical — just that a thread, idea, or relationship connects the works.

  • Yes, if details help convey your work. They count toward your 3–5 images, or can be included on your website.

  • No. We do not review project proposals. Submitting one will not help and adds unnecessary material—please do not include proposals.

Review Process & Criteria

  • We use a rubric and make multiple passes through the applicant pool, narrowing it down each round. The final choice is the hardest, which is why we also feature finalists on social media.

  • Judging is based entirely on the images.
    Biographical materials help us correctly identify the artist, especially when emails don’t include full names or when artists share accounts.

  • Our rubric considers:

    • A cohesive body of work

    • Craftsmanship

    • Quality of presentation (within the artist’s means and resources)

    • Clarity and creativity of the work’s ideas, concepts, and point of view

    • Work that is not derivative

  • No. We stopped listing jurors due to repeated privacy invasions and harassment experienced by jurors in the past. For their safety, juror identities remain confidential.

Awards, Artist Rights, & Requirements

  • We distribute awards via PayPal or Stripe.

  • Yes. Artists retain all copyrights.

    • Winners: Yes. We feature winners on our site and social media.

    • Shortlisted artists: Optional. You can opt in or out.

  • We only ask permission to feature images of your work on our website, social media, and marketing materials. You retain all rights to your work.

Additional Information