Grants and Opportunities for Artists and Creators

January may feel like a reset, but it is also one of the most active months for open calls, residencies, and competitive opportunities across creative disciplines. As the month comes to a close, there are still several programs accepting applications that artists and creators can realistically apply to before January 31.

Below is a curated list of currently open opportunities with confirmed deadlines and working application pages. This list includes a mix of residencies, competitions, and open calls across visual art, craft, and multidisciplinary practices.

Grants and Fellowships Closing in Late January

American Express Shop Small Grants Program

Deadline January 16th (Extended to January 23rd)

This program awards $20,000 grants to U.S. small businesses that strengthen their local communities. Many artists operate as small business owners through studios, creative brands, or community based practices, making this a strong option for creatives building sustainable operations.

Apply here https://mainstreet.org/amexshopsmall

New York Foundation for the Arts and New York State Council on the Arts Artist Fellowship

Deadline January 27th

This fellowship provides $8,000 in unrestricted funding to artists living in New York State or Tribal Nations within New York. Supported disciplines include craft and sculpture, digital and electronic arts, nonfiction literature, poetry, and printmaking or drawing.

Apply here https://www.nyfa.org/awards-grants/nysca-nyfa-artist-fellowship/

ITVS Independent Lens Incubator

Deadline January 30th

Designed for nonfiction filmmakers and media creators, this incubator offers $10,000 to $30,000 in early development funding along with mentorship and a three to six month creative incubator. Projects are developed for public media platforms such as PBS and YouTube.

Apply here https://itvs.org/funds/incubator-fund/

Staten Island Arts Grants Program

Deadline January 31st

These grants support Staten Island based artists and organizations working across disciplines. Award amounts range from $750 to $5,000 and support creative development, programming, and community rooted cultural projects.

Apply here https://statenislandarts.org/grants/

American Museum of Ceramic Art Artist in Residence Program

Deadline January 31st

This residency offers studio access and focused creative time for artists working in ceramics and related disciplines. Artists are provided space to develop new work within a museum environment, making this opportunity ideal for craft based and material driven practices.

Apply here https://www.amoca.org/studio1/artist-in-residence/

PleinAir Salon Online Art Competition

Deadline January 31st

This international competition is open to artists working across a wide range of media. Monthly winners receive cash prizes, publication opportunities, and exposure through PleinAir Magazine. This opportunity is best suited for artists seeking visibility and recognition through juried competition.

Apply here https://pleinairsalon.com/

Multifaith Action Society Exhibition Open Call

Deadline January 31st

This open call invites artists to submit work for exhibition consideration. While this opportunity does not guarantee funding, selected artists receive exhibition placement and professional visibility. This is best suited for artists seeking exposure and curatorial inclusion rather than direct financial support.

Apply herehttps://artcallopportunities.com/

Skip Weekly Skip Grants

Remaining January dates: January 20th and January 27th

Skip awards $1,000 weekly micro grants to U.S. based entrepreneurs aged 18 and over. While not artist specific, many creatives qualify as entrepreneurs. Winners are selected during live broadcasts, making this a low barrier opportunity for those comfortable participating in real time.

Learn more https://helloskip.com/

Artist Communities Alliance Open Calls Directory

This directory aggregates residencies, fellowships, and open calls across disciplines. Many listings operate on rolling timelines or extend beyond January, making this a valuable planning resource for artists preparing future applications.

Browse opportunities https://artistcommunities.org/directory/open-calls

Additional Support for Black, Brown, and International Creators

In addition to the opportunities listed above, the following grants and programs may be especially relevant to Black and Brown artists, creators, and cultural workers, including members of our international and South African community. Some of these opportunities extend beyond January, operate on rolling timelines, or open early in the year, making them important to track now.

Commonwealth Foundation Creative Opportunities

The Commonwealth Foundation offers grants and open calls supporting cultural exchange, storytelling, and creative collaboration across Commonwealth countries, including South Africa. Opportunities vary by discipline and timeline throughout the year.

Explore opportunities https://commonwealthfoundation.com/opportunities/

National Arts Council of South Africa Mzansi Golden Economy

The Mzansi Golden Economy program supports artists and cultural practitioners working across music, visual art, performance, craft, and heritage sectors in South Africa. Funding focuses on sustainability, job creation, and cultural development.

Learn more https://www.nac.org.za/

Illuminations Grant for Black Trans Women Visual Artists

This grant supports self-identified Black trans women and trans femme visual artists working in the United States. Funding prioritizes artists whose work reflects lived experience and community centered practice. Application cycles vary annually.

Learn more https://www.queer-art.org/illuminations-grant

UNESCO Creative Sector Funding

UNESCO periodically opens international funding calls supporting cultural production, creative economies, and artistic development worldwide. These opportunities often prioritize projects in the Global South and cross cultural collaboration.

Learn more https://www.unesco.org/creativity/en/ifcd/apply

Not every opportunity will align with every practice. We encourage artists to track deadlines, read eligibility carefully, and apply selectively. International and identity centered funding often requires additional documentation or longer timelines, so early awareness is key.