Grants and Opportunities for Artists and Creators
Funding should not be the thing that stops the work. Whether you are a visual artist refining your practice, a multidisciplinary creator building a larger body of work, or an independent creative looking for production support, there are real opportunities open right now with deadlines approaching. Below is a curated list of grants, residencies, fellowships, and paid open calls. If you have been waiting for a sign to apply, this is it.
Banff Independent Residency: Music
Deadline: October 14, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: One to two weeks of private music studio access
Professional musicians, composers, opera artists, and interdisciplinary collaborators may apply for self directed creative time at Banff Centre in Canada.
Banff Independent Residency: Theatre and Dance
Deadline: October 14, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: One to two weeks of private rehearsal or dance studio access
Dancers, choreographers, theatre makers, opera artists, and interdisciplinary collaborators may apply individually or as an ensemble. The residency provides dedicated space for choreography, movement research, and new work development.
Pie Ranch Artist Residency
Deadline: October 15, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Two week residency for seven artists at a working educational farm
This international residency welcomes chefs and artists working across film, music, dance, writing, photography, and visual art. Projects should address food justice, farmworker issues, agroecology, Indigenous foodways, or food self sufficiency. The program prioritizes artists from diverse backgrounds.
Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture
Deadline: October 16, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Nine week artist program + scholarship support
Skowhegan offers an intensive nine week summer program for emerging visual artists. Admission is need blind, and scholarship support is distributed among accepted artists based on financial need.
The Image Centre 2027 Research Fellowships
Deadline: October 18, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Six fellowships from CAD $4,000 to $70,000
The Image Centre in Toronto supports scholarly and artistic research using its photography collections. Opportunities range from artist research stipends to a full time postdoctoral fellowship with salary and benefits.
Sƛ̓x̣etkʷ Artist in Residence Program
Deadline: October 20, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: $9,000 stipend + housing + studio space
Spokane Falls Community College offers a three month residency for an emerging Native American artist enrolled in a federally recognized tribe. The program includes lodging, studio space, and three $3,000 stipend payments.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Artist Residency
Deadline: October 20, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: $4,000 stipend + free housing + studio
This monthlong residency is open to artists, writers, musicians, and performers working in any medium. The award includes housing near Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, studio access, public programming, and a $4,000 stipend.
Wellcome Photography Prize
Deadline: October 21, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Three £10,000 category prizes + twenty two £1,000 awards
Photographers at any level and from any country may submit work exploring health and science. The free competition includes categories for single images, photo stories, and scientific or medical imaging.
We Are Moving the Needle Early Career Microgrants
Deadline: October 25, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: $500 to $1,000 microgrants
These microgrants provide immediate career support for early career producers, engineers, songwriters, and audio professionals. The program centers women and nonbinary creators working to advance in the recording industry.
Film Independent and Humana Foundation Shorts
Deadline: October 26, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Five short films produced with an all inclusive budget of $100,000 each
United States director and producer teams may propose a fiction, nonfiction, or hybrid short film centering seniors and aging. Film Independent provides development, production, post production, marketing, and distribution support. Members receive an extended deadline of November 2, 2026.
Invisible Cartographies Buinho Residency
Deadline: October 26, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: €1,200 artist fee + housing + travel + production support
Buinho invites neurodivergent artists to spend six weeks in Messejana, Portugal, creating sensory cartographies with local students and communities. The program includes free accommodation, up to €300 for travel, production support, and FabLab access.
Matsu Biennial 2027 International Open Call
Deadline: October 30, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Up to NT$800,000 per selected proposal
Artists and creative teams worldwide may propose site specific installations or participatory projects for the Matsu Islands in Taiwan. Selected proposals receive a production grant to develop work engaging the islands’ culture, history, or ecology.
apexart NYC Open Call
Deadline: October 31, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: $10,000 exhibition budget
Artists, curators, writers, and other creative thinkers may submit a 500 word proposal for a group exhibition in New York City. Five selected proposals receive a $10,000 production budget, including up to $2,000 for the organizer.
New American Paintings MFA Annual
Deadline: October 31, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Forty artists featured in a national publication
Current MFA candidates and recent graduates may submit original painting and painting adjacent work. Forty selected artists receive a multipage feature in New American Paintings.
PrintAustin: The Contemporary Print
Deadline: October 31, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: $500 best in show prize + national juried exhibition
PrintAustin invites artists working in traditional and experimental printmaking to apply for its 2027 juried exhibition presented with The Art Galleries at Austin Community College. A limited number of fee waivers are available for artists experiencing financial hardship.
Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park Guest Artist Residency
Deadline: October 31, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: International ceramics residency
The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park in Japan welcomes professional ceramic artists for residencies lasting two to twelve months. Selected artists receive access to specialized facilities and an international ceramics community.
STIAS Artist in Residence Fellowship
Deadline: October 31, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Artist fellowship in South Africa
The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study invites established artists to pursue independent creative work in an interdisciplinary residential community. The current call is for the first semester of 2028.
ArtFields 2027
Deadline: November 1, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: $50,000 grand prize + over $100,000 in total prizes
Artists living in 12 Southeastern states may submit work for one of the region’s largest visual art competitions. Awards include a $50,000 grand prize, a $25,000 second prize, two $12,500 people’s choice awards, and five $2,000 merit awards.
El Anatsui Visiting Artist Fellowships
Deadline: November 1, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: $20,000 expense grant + $5,000 artist stipend
Brandywine Workshop and Archives will select two African born, United States based visual artists for a four week printmaking residency in Philadelphia. Each fellow receives travel and living support plus a $5,000 stipend after completing the residency.
Reel Black Film Fest Artwork Call
Deadline: November 1, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: $250 honorarium + official festival artwork feature
Kansas City PBS invites Black artists across the United States to submit original artwork inspired by film, Black culture, creativity, and community. The selected design may appear on official festival posters, apparel, promotional materials, and other platforms.
American Scandinavian Foundation Fellowships
Deadline: November 1, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Up to $23,000 for long term projects + up to $5,000 for short term projects
United States citizens and permanent residents may pursue research, study, or creative arts projects in the Nordic region. Long term fellowships support projects lasting four to twelve months.
HERALBONY Art Prize 2027
Deadline: November 3, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: JPY 3 million grand prize + jury and corporate prizes
Artists with disabilities from any country may submit up to three works for this international award. Professional and amateur artists of any age are eligible, and there is no application fee.
Harry Ransom Center Fellowships
Deadline: November 6, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Up to $3,500 per month + travel stipends
The Harry Ransom Center will award up to 50 fellowships supporting archival research in literature, photography, film, art, music, performance, and cultural history. Artists and independent researchers may apply alongside graduate students and scholars.
Asian Cultural Council Fellowships and Grants
Deadline: November 10, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Individual fellowships up to $35,000 + graduate and organizational grants
Artists, scholars, arts professionals, graduate students, and cultural organizations may apply for immersive exchange opportunities between Asia and the United States or within Asia. Eligible disciplines include visual art, film, literature, music, theater, dance, crafts, curation, and arts administration.
Arch Enemy Arts 2027 Open Call
Deadline: November 13, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: International juried group exhibition
Arch Enemy Arts is selecting original painting, drawing, fiber art, printmaking, sculpture, and physical collage for its annual showcase. International submissions are accepted, but digitally printed and AI generated work is not eligible.
Ubah Rumah Residency
Deadline: November 15, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Funded four to six week residency in Indonesia
Southeast Asia based artists may apply for a residency on Nikoi Island in Indonesia during 2027 or 2028. The program supports research, experimentation, and exchange across the region.
Women’s Studio Workshop Artist’s Book Residency Grant
Deadline: November 15, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: $350 per week + housing + materials + travel support
This eight to ten week residency supports artists producing a limited edition artist’s book. The award includes a weekly stipend, free housing, 24 hour studio access, up to $1,000 for materials, and up to $250 for travel within the continental United States.
The Hopper Prize
Deadline: November 17, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Two grants of $4,500 and four grants of $1,000
The Hopper Prize awards $13,000 in unrestricted funding to visual artists and photographers worldwide. Artists working in any visual medium may apply, and selected artists also receive editorial features and international visibility.
SELECT REGIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Forecast Public Art Grants
Deadline: October 18, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Grants from $2,500 to $10,000
Forecast offers multiple grants for Minnesota public artists at early and mid career stages. Funding supports research, professional development, and the creation of new public art projects.
DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award
Deadline: October 18, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Grants up to $10,000 + group exhibition
The DeHaan Award supports professional Indiana visual artists pursuing ambitious projects that involve experimentation and creative risk. Selected artists also participate in a group exhibition at Gallery 924.
Mass Cultural Council Grants for Creative Individuals
Deadline: October 27, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: $5,000 unrestricted grants
Massachusetts artists, culture bearers, and creative practitioners across disciplines may apply for unrestricted support. Approximately 500 awards are planned for the current cycle.
Seattle Arts in Parks
Deadline: October 27, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Grants from $2,000 to $8,000
Seattle artists, creative workers, community groups, and organizations may propose public arts and culture activities in eligible city parks. Projects will take place from May through October 2027.
Portland Arts Project Grant
Deadline: October 28, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Project funding for artists and arts organizations
The Regional Arts and Culture Council supports the creation and public sharing of artistic work in Portland. Individual artists, collectives, arts businesses, schools, and nonprofit organizations may apply.
Tallichet Freedman Foundation Micro Grant
Deadline: October 29, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Ten $3,000 unrestricted grants
Visual artists who live or work in Queens ZIP code 11385 may apply for unrestricted support. Each selected artist also receives a filmed studio interview documenting their work and practice.
Reel Black Film Fest Film Submissions
Deadline: November 1, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Festival screening + jury and audience awards
Black filmmakers with Midwest ties may submit nonfiction films centered on Black communities. Eligible projects include short films of 10 minutes or less and feature films between 30 and 60 minutes.
Artist Trust Fellowship Awards
Deadline: November 2, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Fifteen $10,000 unrestricted awards
Artist Trust provides merit based unrestricted awards to established practicing artists in Washington State. Artists from all disciplines are eligible, with additional designated fellowships supporting Black, Native, trans, and Indigiqueer artists.
Café Royal Cultural Foundation Visual Arts Grant
Deadline: November 2, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Grants up to $10,000
New York City artists creating painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography may apply for exhibition or project support. The cycle closes at 9 AM Eastern or when 40 eligible applications are received.
LMCC Manhattan Arts Grants
Deadline: November 12, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: Grants from $1,000 to $20,000
Manhattan based artists, collectives, and nonprofit organizations may apply for project, arts education, or unrestricted support. Funding tracks cover all disciplines, with a new $20,000 unrestricted option for eligible performing artists and organizations.
Eyebeam Agency NYC Residency
Deadline: November 15, 2026
Funding/Opportunity: $5,000 stipend + mentorship + technical support
New York City based artists may apply for a spring 2027 residency focused on developing a new project or idea around the theme of agency. Fellows receive a stipend, mentorship, community, and access to Eyebeam’s technical network.
Creative Debuts Black Artists Grant
Deadline: Rolling monthly
Funding/Opportunity: £500 unrestricted grant awarded each month
Black artists based in the United Kingdom may apply for no strings attached support that can be used for creative work, equipment, materials, travel, research, professional development, or living expenses. The grant is open to all creative disciplines and does not require a final project or report.
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