Emerging visual artists, those beginning to gain a reputation in their field, can benefit from various grants encouraging new artistic expression. The visual arts encompass painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, drawing and film--those arts appreciated initially by the eye. Grants are competitive, but awards aid in bringing an artistic vision to fruition.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts
Founded by artist Jasper Johns and musician John Cage, in 1963, the Foundation for Contemporary Arts offers annual grants for promising new artists working in the visual arts; as well as music, dance, theater and poetry. In addition, its Emergency Grants program provides monies to complete projects for visual artists with "unanticipated, sudden opportunities to present their work to the public." The Emergency Grants are only for work, and cannot be used to pay for medical or other personal emergencies.
Claire Weiss Emerging Artist Award
Administered through the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the Claire Weiss Emerging Artist Award is named for the department's late curator of public art. Each year, an emerging artist receives a $7,000 grant, after submitting a proposal of an outdoor sculpture for a park overseen by the department. Park locations change annually, with artistically under-served neighborhoods receiving first priority. Grant winners are encouraged to find additional funding and in-kind support for project completion.
Durham Arts Council
In North Carolina, the Durham Arts Council offers several grants for emerging visual artists. Eligible artists are chosen only from those residing, for at least one year prior to application, in Durham, Chatham, Granville, Person or Orange counties in the state. Grant criteria include project feasibility, overall artistic talent, contribution to professional artistic development and commitment to the particular art form. Monies may be used for materials, project-related travel, publicity, training and research.
Puffin Foundation Ltd.
Offered to artists of specific disciplines, the grants of the Puffin Foundation Ltd. are given in two-year cycles. Every other year, grants are available in music, theater and photography, followed the next year by video, fine arts and dance. Averaging between $1,000 and $2,500, grants are aimed at emerging artists "whose works might have difficulty being aired due to their genre and/or social philosophy." Eligible visual artists must be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status.
Tags: visual artists, Artist Award, Arts Council, Claire Weiss, Claire Weiss Emerging, Contemporary Arts, Durham Arts