Grants for Individual Artists of all Disciplines for Creative Endeavors
Region: United States
Integrity: Arts & Culture Association Mini-Grants for artists (of most disciplines) generally average $250. Funding is intended to assist with such things as: art supplies, recording studio time, exhibits, performances, residencies, project related expenses, etc. Simple application process.
Women Arts
Region: United States
WomenArts is dedicated to increasing the visibility of women artists in all art forms. We share news about trailblazing women artists and gender parity activists all year long through the WomenArts Blog and our Facebook page.
During March and April, we will be collaborating with the Statera Foundation to put the spotlight on women artists through Support Women Artists Now Day/SWAN Day. Please note that the SWAN Calendar and other information about SWAN Day has moved to the SWAN Day section of the Statera Foundation website.
New Music USA grants
Region: United States
New Music USA’s mission is to support and promote all kinds of musical creativity in the United States. They offer funding for music projects, support for small ensembles and DIY venues, and even provide composer-in-residence positions in orchestras. Learn more about New Music USA’s grants.
Illinois Arts Council
Region: United States
The Illinois Arts Council Agency was created as a state agency by the Illinois General Assembly in 1965 through legislation sponsored by Senators Paul Simon, Thomas McGloon, and Alan Dixon. The agency is governed by up to twenty-one private citizens chosen for their demonstrated commitment to the arts and appointed by the Governor. Council members serve in a voluntary, non-paid capacity and are charged with developing the state’s public arts policy, fostering quality culturally diverse programs, and approving grants expenditures. A small professional staff with in-depth knowledge of the arts develops and administers the agency’s programs, provides technical assistance, and ensures the responsible and impactful distribution of all funds. Resources to support the Illinois Arts Council Agency are provided by the Governor and General Assembly of Illinois and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts
Region: United States
The Foundation for Contemporary Arts was created by artists in 1963 to promote the innovative work of their peers. Today, they offer generous grants to nominated artists, as well as emergency grants ranging from $500 to $2,500 that any artist urgently in need of funding can apply for. Learn more about the Foundation for Contemporary Arts’ grant programs.
The Alice M. Ditson Fund
Region: United States
Since 1940, the Alice M. Ditson Fund has awarded over 2,000 grants in support of contemporary American classical concert music. They offer funding for recording projects, with the specific goal of providing wider exposure for the music of younger, relatively unknown American composers. Learn more.
New York Foundation for the Arts
Region: New York
The New York Foundation for the Arts has a 32-year history of supporting artists at all stages of their careers. Unlike grants that fund specific projects, the unrestricted $7,000 fellowships “are intended to fund an artist’s vision or voice, regardless of the level of his or her artistic development.” You can find up-to-date application information here.
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation
Region: Delaware, D.C., Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, the US Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia
The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation was established to support multi-state arts programming, and has since expanded to include initiatives in other parts of the United States. The grants provide support for artists looking to create, tour, build an audience, and develop their careers.
You can explore MAAF’s unique artist grant programs here, which include creative fellowships, funding to perform at international festivals, and even a French-American cultural exchange program for jazz artists.
Tennessee Arts Commission
Region: Tennessee
With a mission to “cultivate the arts for the benefit of all Tennesseans and their communities,” the Tennessee Arts Commission offers a wide variety of annual grants for individuals, projects, arts education, and more.
The Individual Artist Fellowship awards $5,000 to professional artists of all stripes, including composers. There are no specific requirements for how you use the money, but you do have to already be making a living off of music to qualify for the fellowship. More details here.
Chicago Dept. of Cultural Affairs
and Special Events
Region: Chicago, IL
Several annual opportunities for artists posted on THIS page.
Illinois Arts Council Agency
Region: Chicago, IL
The Individual Artist Support (IAS) program assists Illinois artists to realize a career goal, take advantage of a professional opportunity, or to produce and present an artistic project.
ChicagoMusician.org 