Grants for Artists

One of our most popular requests from alumni and students is for information on grants. Please note that the information we have at Career Services is best suited for MFA students and alumni; scholarship and financial aid information can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office on Tower 8th floor.

What kinds of grants are there?
Grants are available from public and private agencies to assist artists. Some grants are awarded for specific projects, while others are for work in general. There are grants for specific populations, (i.e. women), specific media (i.e. film), or specific regions (New England). The awards can be monetary, free supplies, and/or free residencies. Grants are competitive, especially for the famous ones. There is money out there to fund your art, but it can be a challenge to get it.

How do I apply?
The application usually consists of an application form, an artist's statement of purpose, samples of work, and possibly one or two references. Most grants have deadlines, so request an application well in advance.

1. Alumni who are registered with the Career Services Office can access current grant and residency opportunities that we list.. Registered alums are assigned their own account on our job/grant listing system, so you can access listings 24/7. Look under the checkbox marked “VOLUNTEER”, that’s where we list current grants and residencies.
2. If you are not registered with Career Services, please send us an email: careerservices@massart.edu so we can give you information about how to register.
3. You can also find grants and residencies by looking in Art Calendar. We subscribe, so pop by the office to see the latest copy of the magazine.
4. Send away for the application materials.
5. Watch for deadline dates! Most grants and residencies are offered annually, but their application deadlines will vary. Allow yourself enough time to apply. Give yourself 4-8 weeks before the deadline to gather the necessary materials and to write your proposal.
6. Rough out a proposal. Please remember that grant proposals can go through 3-8 revisions before they are ready to be sent to the organization sponsoring the grant.
7. Once you have a draft of a proposal together, you can make an appointment with Career Services for help with the final edit. Call and ask for an appointment with Maryellen Schroeder, 617-879-7779.

Remember, no one gives away free money. You must deliver some benefit to the organization in return for its funding.

Stuck on a proposal idea?
Few artists have a clear idea of what they want to say in a proposal. You probably have a glimmer of an idea, or you wouldn't be looking for a grant in the first place. Write it down. Work with it.

Need some inspiration? Do your homework. Utilize the library and the Internet to research your idea. Periodicals in your field of study may inspire some interesting thoughts and connections for you. Share your thoughts with people in your field (former faculty? fellow artists?). Just needing money to continue your work is not a strong enough reason to receive a grant.

If possible, see if the organization will give you access to successful proposals that have been accepted in the past. See if the sponsoring organization has a web site. It may reveal additional information to guide you. Look for names and biographical information of the judging panel. This information will give you insight into the value of their own work and sensibilities.

Good Luck!