For Artists

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for funding:

•     Applicant must be a practicing artist. Grants for Artists defines a practicing artist as an individual recognized by their peers, critics, or other professionals as committed to producing art on a regular basis. Artists meeting this criterion are typically paid for their work, earning a portion of their living from their creative work. Artists of all disciplines (performing, visual, literary, media, etc.) are encouraged to apply.

•     Applicant must be 18 years old or older.

•     Students pursuing any degree are NOT eligible.

•     Applicant has at least a two-year history of public engagement, presentation, or publication.

•     Applicant must be the lead artist in every aspect of their project.

•     Applicant cannot be disbarred, suspended, or have any other exclusions or disqualifications from receiving federal funding.

•     Applicant must maintain a residence in Barnstable County, Dukes County, or Nantucket County and expect to do so through the grant period: January 1 to December 31, 2027.

•     Applicant must produce arts and/or culture that benefits and focuses primarily on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and/or Nantucket.

•     Applicant must use funding within the grant year: January 1 to December 31, 2027.

•     You're welcome to apply again for funding to support the same program, but please know that we give priority to new projects. Our goal is to encourage creativity, innovation, and growth, so repeat funding for the same activity should not be expected beyond one year.

•     Applicants with incomplete or outstanding grant obligations or past-due reports from previous Arts Foundation grants are not eligible to apply. Feel free to contact Programs Manager, Amy Neill if you are unsure at aneill@ArtsFoundation.org.

•     Grants will not be awarded to two or more parties for the same project, program, etc. Collaborative efforts will need to determine one eligible lead artist to be the applicant responsible for the application and disbursement of funds to partners and required reporting on the progress of the project, if awarded.

$500 to $10,000

Applications Open: Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Application Deadline: Friday, November 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Grant Awards: December 2026

Grants Funding Period: January 1 to December 31, 2027

Grant Reports Deadline: Grant recipients will be expected to complete their grant activities by December 31, 2027, and submit a final report 30 days after completing the awarded project or initiative. All reports are due no later than 30 days after the end of the funding period or by January 31, 2028. Final reports will be completed and submitted through the online application system.

Please note: no exceptions will be made past the application deadline. It is highly recommended that you begin your online application process well before the deadline to ensure there is proper time to submit your application. The most successful applications we have received have clear evidence that significant time was spent in preparation of the narrative, the budget, and all sections of the application.

These grants are part of the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod's grant program and are supported by generous donors who believe in the power of the arts to strengthen our community.

This funding provides stipends to artists conducting arts and culture projects or programs that create access to the arts for all, break down barriers, and foster connection across Cape Cod and the Islands. These projects aim to engage audiences of all ages and abilities, while addressing critical community challenges.

The Arts Foundation is dedicated to removing barriers to participation in the arts, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of creativity. We believe in the arts as a platform for connection, empowering artists to bring people out of isolation, inspire dialogue, and amplify voices in their communities.

• Innovative projects that expand access to arts and culture for underserved communities or which tackle pressing community challenges through creative engagement.

• Art exhibitions, workshops, or programs that celebrate and promote the art, culture, or experiences of diverse and historically underrepresented populations.

• Collaborative programs that foster connection, create inclusive spaces, and encourage participation across all demographics and communities.

• Projects which utilize the arts as an avenue to improve individual and community health.

• These examples are not exhaustive but provide a glimpse into the types of projects that align with this funding opportunity.

This document outlines expenses that are NOT allowable for grant funding under this program for creative individuals. Award funds cannot be used for the following:

• Costs of entertainment, including amusement, diversion, and social activities such as receptions, parties, galas, community dinners, picnics, and potlucks. Generally, this also includes activities at venues such as bars, wineries, and breweries where the consumption of alcohol/social activity is the primary purpose of the venue.

• Commercial (for-profit) enterprises or activities, including arts markets, concessions, food, T-shirts, artwork, or other items for resale. This includes online or virtual sales/shops.

• Costs for the creation of new organizations.

• “Artist relief” programs where the funding is intended to alleviate financial hardship (e.g., rent or food assistance) and does not require the artist to undertake work.

• Alcoholic beverages and/or catering expenses.

• Construction, purchase, or renovation of facilities.

• General fundraising for yourself or another entity.

• General miscellaneous or contingency costs.

• Land purchase costs.

• Lobbying, including activities intended to influence elections or government officials regarding pending legislation, either directly or through public appeals.

• Mortgage interest, fines and penalties, bad debt costs, or deficit reduction.

• Rental costs for a home office workspace owned by individuals or entities affiliated with the applicant organization.

• Subawards to replace lost revenue.

• Subsidized works. An artist who has been invited to collaborate on a project with a nonprofit at a predetermined rate or fee. In such cases, the artist cannot seek additional funding to subsidize or expand the project beyond the agreed-upon terms.

• Tuition costs/reimbursement.

• Travel costs.

• Vehicle purchases.

• Costs incurred before the beginning or after the completion of the official grant period.

This application will be completed and submitted through an online system using Submittable. It is highly recommended that you begin your online application process well before the deadline to ensure there is proper time to submit your application.

The most successful applications we have received have clear evidence that significant time was spent in preparation of the narrative, the budget, and all sections of the application. We advise applicants not to wait until the final day to start their application process or to submit their application in the last few minutes before the deadline.

·         Your artistic vision and how the proposed project reflects it.

·         How your project creates access to the arts and engages underserved or underrepresented communities.

·         The community need your project addresses, how community members have helped shape it, and how you'll measure the project's impact.

·         Your history of community engagement and how you use your art as a platform for connection or change.

·         Your project timeline, the requested amount relative to your experience and project scale, and a contingency plan if the request isn't fully funded.

·         How grant funds will be used.

·         Work samples and portfolio.

·         Project budget (see Project Budget below).

Please note that your project budget should include both income and expenses. Income should include the grant amount you are seeking from the Arts Foundation. Your income should equal your expenses. You must use the provided template here.

Should you have questions, please contact Amy Neill at aneill@artsfoundation.org.

Use the grant rubric.

‍The 2027 Grants will be reviewed by the Grants Committee, a panel of professional arts experts with experience across various disciplines. Each application will be evaluated using a grant rubric to ensure a fair and transparent selection process. ‍

Reviewers will assess applications based on the following key areas:

• Artistic Merit (25 points) - The quality, creativity, and originality of the proposed project.

• Access & Inclusion (25 points) - How the project expands access to the arts and engages underserved or underrepresented communities.

• Community Need & Impact (25 points) - The project's potential to address a clear community need and create meaningful change.

• Project Feasibility & Budget (15 points) - The clarity and feasibility of the plan, including a realistic timeline and budget.

• Artist's Commitment & Engagement (10 points) - The applicant's dedication to their artistic practice, community involvement, and using art as a platform for impact.

The review process ensures that funding supports projects that align with the program's mission of fostering artistic excellence, community engagement, and accessibility in the arts.

• If awarded a grant, recipients will be asked to acknowledge the Arts Foundation's support in any marketing materials, using the Arts Foundation logo. If issuing a press release or posting a story on your website about your project, we ask you to mention the Arts Foundation's support somewhere in the press release/story.

• While not required, grant recipients are encouraged to tag the Arts Foundation in any social media posts so we can share with our audience.

• If your project involves an event open to the public, we encourage you to post that event on our Arts Cape Cod website which is free to use. Events on Arts Cape Cod are shared in weekly emails which reach over 6,000 people.

• Arts Foundation may want to conduct site visits and/or interviews with grant recipients to learn more about the important work you are doing and to share with our supporters.