Grants for Visual Artists

The award provides direct support to under-recognized artists 21 years or older. 

Application Process and Deadline

The deadline to submit an application for the 2020 grant cycle has passed.  The next deadline will be in April 2021.  The deadline date will be posted in January 2021.  The online application will open in February 2021. 

To apply, a $15 application fee is required.  Fees are applied to grant administration and program development. 

Applicants must use the foundation’s online application system to submit the following:

Artist resume

Artist statement (up to 200 words)

Work samples (up to 10)

Eligibility

Self-defined under-recognized visual artist 21 years or older

United States citizen

Students who are enrolled in an undergraduate/graduate program are not eligible. 

Not a previous recipient of a direct artist grant from Harpo. 

Artists who have been supported by an organizational grant from Harpo in the past are eligible to apply for a direct grant. 

Criteria

Applications are evaluated on the basis of the quality of the artist’s work, the potential to expand aesthetic inquiry, and its relationship to the foundation’s priority to provide support to visual artists who are under-recognized by the field. 

Funding Decisions

Funding decisions are made by the Board of Directors, following review of applications by independent professional advisors.  Awards are made of up to $10,000.  The number of awards is determined each year by the annual granting budget.  Grants are made to support the development of artists’ work and a grantee may use their award to support any activity toward that purpose. 

Reporting Requirements

A report detailing how funds were used is due within 10-months of receiving funds. 

Notification

Grant decisions are usually announced no later than December 1. 

Questions

You may sign up at the bottom of the page to receive email notifications of upcoming deadlines.  Visit our questions page or address other questions to the Director by emailing Julie Deamer at gro.n1600494687oitad1600494687nuofo1600494687prah@1600494687remae1600494687dj1600494687.