Proposals in this category are accepted for visual arts projects produced by US-based non-profit organizations with total annual operating budgets of $200,000 or less. The program supports small-scale arts organizations to develop and present experimental, temporary new work in the visual arts. As with all of the Foundation’s grants, the project grants are aimed at supporting the creative risk-taking and growth of participating artist(s), therefore to be competitive in this category, applications must stress the opportunity the project represents for the artist(s) (as opposed to its impact on the community, the institution or the audience).

Examples of eligible projects in this category include temporary group and solo exhibitions, media screenings, film festivals, collaborative interdisciplinary work (for which the visual art is central), installations, residencies, interventions in archives, and projects which arise from community partnerships.*

*This list is by no means exhaustive. We welcome innovative and radical works by artists who have received little to no recognition, or those whose practices could be defined as being at the margins. 

Projects for which the visual arts are not central, and which have no public component will not be considered. Youth-focused efforts are not eligible.

Grants range from $20,000 – $30,000 and are intended to support direct costs.

A proposal should be no more than 3 pages.

Please be sure to include as many details about the project as possible including:

• Project dates, venue or location, duration, names of artist(s), descriptions of art work and its evolution, names of curators/organizers, specific information about related programming, and publications.

When submitting a proposal please Include both a one-year operating budget, and a project specific budget that includes direct costs such as payment for artists, production costs, and outreach.

Please also include the 501c3 statement for your organization.

Project Grant proposals will be reviewed twice a year with two deadlines, March 1 and Sept. 1. Organizations cannot apply for multiple projects within the same round. Projects awarded in the spring round must begin no sooner than July 1, projects awarded in the fall should begin no sooner than January 1. It is the expectation that a successful project will be complete within one year of award notification.

Successful Project Grant recipients must wait one year after completing the project and submitting a final report before coming back for future consideration. (If unsuccessful in applying, organizations may submit in the next round, with no waiting period.)

Please read these guidelines carefully and do not submit if your organization has a total operating budget of more than $200,000. For larger institutions, please see the Foundation’s other grant categories, either for single exhibitions, curatorial research fellowships, or multi-year program support.

Project Grants for Small-Scale Organizations FAQ

How much information should be included about the applicant organization?

Please include a short paragraph that clarifies the organizational context in which the proposed project will be presented. The bulk of the proposal should primarily focus on the project for which funds are being sought. Information about participating artists is of the utmost importance, as is a description of the ways in which the project represents an opportunity for growth, experimentation, or ambition in their practice. Please clearly describe all resources that the applicant organization will provide to support the successful realization of the project such as access to networks of artists, scholars, or other collaborators; expertise in related fields; connections with community members; production facilities; exhibition space; and financial support.

Does the foundation require work samples or accept additional visual materials?

No. If during the review process additional information is needed, we will reach out.