The visual arts ecosystem includes a wide range of organizations with varied missions that create opportunities for communities and artists to engage with each other in mediums such as painting, photography, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, fiber and glass. This visual arts ecosystem includes arts groups such as community art centers, artist-run non-profits, art production facilities, as well as non-arts sector organizations such as social service providers, journals and presses, colleges and universities, tourism and development authorities, and health care facilities, among others. Motivated by a desire to engage the public in the visual arts, this diverse array of organizations contribute to the strength, resilience and well-being of the nation’s communities. 

The NEA aims to strengthen and support the visual arts ecosystem through funding to organizations that support contemporary artists and the projects they undertake, such as exhibitions, residencies, publications, commissions, public art works, conservation, documentation, services to the field, and public programs. The NEA is committed to encouraging individual artistic development, experimentation, and dialogue between artists and the public. We encourage projects that prioritize the presentation of untold stories and overlooked histories, and programming designed to reach populations who may not have easy access to the arts.

Applicants may request cost share/matching grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.

For information on how to submit an application, see “How to Apply” on the left.

Project Types

Projects include, but are not limited to: 

• Exhibitions and related activities;
• Conservation, preservation, and restoration;
• Commissions and public art;
• Artist residencies, including those that allow artists to directly engage with the public;
• Periodicals, publications, and catalogues;
• Education and related activities for youth, adults, intergenerational groups, and schools;
• Innovative uses of technology and digital initiatives;
• Projects that engage individuals with disabilities;
• Opportunities such as professional development, mentorship, training and convenings, that impact artists and the visual arts field;  
• Public programming that is thought-provoking and prioritizes robust and equitable engagement;
• Projects that encourage collaboration between artists and arts professionals with partners in education, healthcare, technology, social services, and the private sector;
• Projects incorporating visual arts to advance the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

Competitive proposals will address elements as stated in the application review criteria, and align with one or more of these intentions:

• Support creativity and freedom of thought;
• Support imagination and inquiry, reflecting all cultures;
• Provide direct compensation to artists, makers, art collectives, and/or art workers;
• Support professional development for artists;
• Support the presentation of untold stories and underrepresented artists;
• Explore new ways to introduce technology and audience engagement;
• Engage individuals with disabilities including staff training, programming, and outreach;
• Enhance accessibility, including tactile exhibitions, multisensory tours, and off-site or mobile experiences.

In some cases, a project that involves visual arts may be better suited for review in another discipline. Review the Artistic Disciplines page for more information, including guidance on educational projects.

For questions, including help choosing the right discipline, contact NEA staff:
Organizations A – F: Tamika Shingler, shinglert@arts.gov
Organizations G – Z: Meg Brennan, brennanm@arts.gov

Compliance Reminders:

The NEA is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and fostering mutual respect for the diverse beliefs and values of all individuals and groups. Please note the following:

• Civil Rights Laws and Policies: As a reminder, in the federal-funding context, a focus on a particular group or demographic may be permissible, but exclusion is not. This extends to hiring practices, artist selection processes, and audience engagement. Your application should make it clear that project activities are not exclusionary. Please review the Assurance of Compliance, as well as NEA Civil Rights guidance on our website, including this archived webinar: Things to Know Before You Apply: Federal Civil Rights and Your Grants Application.
• Accessibility: Federal regulations require that all NEA-funded projects be accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities may be audiences, visitors, artists, performers, teaching artists, students, staff, and volunteers. Funded activities should be held in a physically accessible venue, and program access and effective communication should be provided for participants and audience members with disabilities. If your project is recommended for funding, you will be asked to provide detailed information describing how you will make your project physically and programmatically accessible to people with disabilities.
• National Historic Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act Review: Recommended projects may be subject to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and/or the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance review. See more information about NHPA/NEPA review under Award Administration.

Deadlines

Grants for Arts Projects applications will be accepted at two deadlines. All project types (described above) are accepted at both deadlines. Apply at the deadline that most closely fits the schedule of activities or timeline of your proposed project. Generally, an organization is limited to one application per year in the Grants for Arts Projects category.

First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:

Second Grants for Arts Projects Deadline: