How Can I Fund My Art Project?

While art projects can add to your portfolio, help you to become more employable, and be a creative outlet, they can also be expensive. If you have been holding back on starting an art project because you need funding, now is the time to explore your options.

Grants, Fellowships, and Scholarships

There are many different non-profit organizations that have grants available not only for current students, but also recent graduates. The BMI Foundation, for example, offers scholarships and/or fellowships for songwriting, composing, television production and more.

There are also organizations that offer funding for more specific projects, such as the The Loreen Arbus Disability Awareness Grant which awards a grant of $7,500 to a woman filmmaker for a film on physical or developmental disability issues. The Awesome Foundation defines creativity and art very broadly, and has funding opportunities up to $1000 for “awesome” projects.

Other organizations you might want to check out include the American Council of Learned Societies, National Endowment for the Arts, and New England Foundation for the Arts.

Other Funding Opportunities

In addition to grants and scholarships, you could also consider crowdfunding. Websites like Kickstarter and GoFundMe have creative sections where individuals are raising money for everything from documentaries to a cross stitch tour. Depending on the type of art you are creating, you could also consider selling your art on Etsy, a creative marketplace full of art and handmade goods for sale. 

Organizing the Scholarship and Grant Process

With so many different scholarship, fellowship, and grant opportunities out there it can feel overwhelming to even start the process. Being organized and starting the process early will help you to feel more in control.  

1. Create a list of all of the opportunities you plan to apply for. In addition to the opportunities listed here, consider doing your own search based on your specific type of project. Spend time ensuring you are qualified to apply for the opportunity. Grants can have many different requirements including age, identity, need-based, and/or experience level.
2. Add the deadlines to your calendar. Funding opportunities have a wide range of deadlines and some are accepted on a rolling basis. You don’t want to miss out on a great opportunity because you missed the deadline!
3.  Review the application requirements. Some grants have very brief applications, while others are lengthy and require letters of recommendation, resumes, and samples of your work. It’s best to start preparing these materials well in advance of the deadline, especially if you’re relying on someone else to write you a recommendation.
4. Double check your applications. With so many different application requirements and types of opportunities, it can be easy to get them confused. Before sending out any application double check it to make sure that you included all required materials and that your application is specific to the funding opportunity.
5. Keep track of your applications. Make a note in your calendar if you are given a date that you will hear back by. This can help you to plan ahead and seek additional funding opportunities if needed. If you were not selected for an opportunity, don’t give up hope! Many opportunities also let you re-apply in the following year if you were not selected.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in the arts, check out our Communication, Arts, and Media career cluster to learn more about internship and post-graduate opportunities.

By Salome Miclette, Assistant Director, Career Education