December 2023 Grants/Open Calls/Residencies for African Visual Artists

Dec 1, 2023

As we wrap up another incredible year of creativity, here’s one last chance for you as an African visual artist to cap it off with a bang!

We’ve rounded up the most relevant grants, competitions and residencies you can apply to this month.

Take advantage of the chance to add a few more victories to your narrative before 2023 is gone!

P.S: Need help writing & editing your Artist Bio, Artist Statement or Grant Applications? We can help! Click here to access our services.

GRANTS 

Innovate Artists Grant Summer 2023

Innovate Grant awards (2) $1,800.00 grants each quarter, to one Visual Artist and one Photographer. In addition, (6) honorable mentions (3 in art and 3 in photo), will be featured on our website and join a growing community of vibrant and talented artists.

Innovate Grant’s commitment extends beyond the grant cycle by promoting the work of selected winners and honorable mentions into the future.

Amount:(2) $1,800

Deadline: December 14, 2023

Application Fee: $35 for 3 images, $45 for 3 images & $50 for 12 images

You can learn more about this grant and apply here

Pollock Krasner Foundation

The Pollock Krasner Foundation provides financial resources for visual artists to create new work, acquire supplies, rent studio space, prepare for exhibitions, attend a residency and offset living expenses. 

Amount:  Amounts range up to $30,000

Eligibility: Visual artists who are painters, sculptors and artists who work on paper, including printmakers.

Deadline: Rolling

Application Fee: Free

You can learn more about this grant and apply here

The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant

The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grant is one of the most prestigious grants available to emerging representational artists, as well as one of the most substantial. 

Amount: 1st grants: CAD $17,000; Subsequent grants:  CAD $20,000

Deadline: Rolling

Application Fee: Free

You can learn more about this grant and apply here

The Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant

The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant program is intended to provide interim financial assistance to qualified painters, printmakers, and sculptors whose needs are the result of an unforeseen, catastrophic incident, and who lack the resources to meet that situation.

Each grant is given as one-time assistance for a specific emergency, examples of which are fire, flood, or emergency medical need.

Amount:$5,000 typically granted; $15,000 max

Deadline: Rolling

Application Fee: Free

You can learn more about this grant and apply here

RESIDENCIES

Foundation House Artist Residency Program

Foundation House will open its doors for 10 days to six residents, allowing residents the time and space for concentrated creation in beautiful and inspiring surroundings.

Foundation House’s mission as a non-profit center for learning is to focus on health, wellness, the environment, and social justice. To that end, we will host residencies, workshops, lectures and other meaningful gatherings on these topics.

At Foundation House, we believe that conversations about these critical topics are not complete without the input of artists and designers, and it is our privilege to be able to offer the space for creative people of all disciplines to work and therefore be a part of those conversations.

Deadline: December 3, 2023

Stipend: Each resident will be given a stipend, private bedroom and bathroom, all meals plus full kitchen access, and access to studio space, a wide variety of common areas, and 75 acres of land to explore and enjoy.

Application Fee: Free

You can learn more about this residency and apply here

Artist at Soane Residency Programme

Sir John Soane’s Museum has initiated the second edition of its Artist at Soane residency program, providing artists with an exciting opportunity to develop their work in the Museum’s historic Drawing Office.

The residency encourages engagement with various departments within the Museum, including the archive, library, education, and commercial activities. Artists working in diverse media are invited to apply, with a focus on drawing in their practice.

The residency program hosts two artists annually, one in Spring and one in Autumn, offering financial support and guidance throughout the three-month period.

Artists will work for a minimum of 12 days either at the Museum or in their studio, participating in on-site activities, public engagement, educational initiatives, or utilizing research facilities.

Each selected artist or collaboration will receive an honorarium of £2000, intended to cover materials, travel, and other expenses. Additionally, there may be a case-by-case allowance to assist with accommodation, at the discretion of the Project Managers.

It’s important to note that this allowance does not cover international artists’ travel expenses or visa application fees. The residency aims to provide a unique environment for artistic development within the rich historical context of Sir John Soane’s Museum in London.

Deadline: December 15, 2023

Stipend: There will be an honorarium of £2000 per artist or collaboration, to cover materials, travel and other expenses.

Application Fee: Free

You can learn more about this residency opportunity and apply here

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Artist in Residence

The National Parks Arts Foundation’s residency program at the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is open to all artists, writers, musicians, and performance artists. The program includes a $4,000 stipend. Single artists, couples, groups and families are welcome to apply.

Deadline: December 15, 2023

Stipend: $4,000

Application Fee: Free

You can learn more about this residency opportunity and apply here

COMPETITIONS

Color, Shape, Space

This competition is open to artists of all ages internationally with no restrictions on media or style. Work must pertain to the theme of “Color, Shape, Space”.

Entry is FREE, only artists whose work is selected as finalists must pay the $35 participation fee.

Finalists will have their work exhibited online and move on to the final round of Jurying in consideration for cash prizes totaling up to $1,500. 

Deadline: December 4, 2023

Award Info: Up to $1,500 cash awards

Application Fee: Free

You can learn more about this competition and apply here

Beautiful | Grotesque” – FREE Entry, $1,000 Award Competition

Introducing the 1st “Beautiful | Grotesque”, international competition and online exhibition. This competition is open to artists of all ages internationally with no restrictions on media or style.

Work must pertain to the theme of “Beautiful | Grotesque”. Entry is free, only artists whose work is selected as finalists must pay the $35 participation fee.

Finalists will have their work exhibited online and move on to the final round of Jurying in consideration for cash prizes and the opportunity to win the grand prize of $1,000.

Deadline: December 12, 2023

Award Info:

First Prize Award | $300-$1,000

Runner-Up Prize Award | $100-$300

Merit Prize Award | $25-$100

Honorable Mention Award

Finalist Award

Application Fee: Free to submit. Only finalists pay a fee of $35.

You can learn more about this competition and apply here

EXPO 43

EXPO 43 is an international juried competition hosted by the B. J. Spoke Gallery in Huntington, New York. Finalist’s artwork will be exhibited virtually on the gallery website between February and March 2024, with a virtual reception and awards presentation via Zoom on February 7, 2024.

All fine arts media are acceptable (no crafts): watercolor, oils, acrylic, mixed media, printmaking, pastel, drawing, collage, sculpture, installation art, video (short), photography, digital art, fiber art.

Artists will be allowed to submit up to 6 original images and/or 2 videos.

Deadline: December 13, 2023

Award Info:

First Place Award | $300

Second Place Award | $200

Third Place Award | $100

Application Fee: $35.

You can learn more about this competition and apply here

We hope you find these opportunities helpful. If you do, don’t forget to share with your friends who can also find value in applying!

If you need help reviewing your grant application or writing/editing your professional Artist Bio & Statement to increase your chances of winning any of these opportunities, click the button below to take advantage of our services!

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