Grants
Since 1986, Artist Trust has awarded more than $10 million in funding to artists in Washington State. In 2020, we quickly pivoted our programs to rapid relief and response, launching the Artist Trust COVID-19 Relief Fund. With this fund, we disbursed $700,000 to over 400 artists across Washington State. We know the need is still critical, and we are currently re-envisioning this fund for 2021.
Although relief funding is critical right now, we understand the impact and importance our grantmaking programs have on our community. In 2021, we are refocusing on our merit-based grants, which recognize and celebrate artists of all disciplines across Washington State. We are excited to introduce our refreshed grants schedule, which can be found below.
All Grants
Arts Innovator Award
Deadline: March 8, 2021
Amount Awarded: $25,000
Number of Awards: 2
Application Open: February 1, 2021
The Arts Innovator Award recognizes artists who demonstrate innovation in their art practice. These unrestricted awards of $25,000 are given annually to two Washington State artists of any discipline who are originating new work, experimenting with new ideas, taking risks, and pushing the boundaries of their fields. Applications for this award are currently closed.
View GrantTwining Humber Award
Deadline: May 28, 2021
Amount Awarded: $10,000
Number of Awards: 1
Application Open: April 27, 2021
The Twining Humber Award is an unrestricted award of $10,000 given annually to a Washington State female-identified visual artist, age 60 or over, who has dedicated 25 years or more to creating art. The award is made possible by a generous gift from the painter Yvonne Twining Humber (1907-2004), who established the Irving and Yvonne Twining Humber Fund for Artistic Excellence to support the grant through Artist Trust in recognition of female-identified artists who oftentimes must interrupt or postpone art-making in order to answer the demands of family life. The award recognizes artistic excellence, professional accomplishment, and longstanding dedication to the visual arts. Applications for this award are currently closed.
View GrantSOLA Awards
Deadline: May 28, 2021
Amount Awarded: $3,000
Number of Awards: 3
Application Open: April 27, 2021
The SOLA (Support Old Lady Artists) Awards are three unrestricted awards of $3,000 given annually to Washington State female-identified visual artists, age 60 or over, who have dedicated 25 years or more to creating art. The awards were created by artist Ginny Ruffner. Applications for this award are currently closed.
View GrantFellowship Awards
Deadline: November 8, 2021
Amount Awarded: $10,000
Number of Awards: 8+
Application Open: October 5, 2021
Artist Trust Fellowship Awards are merit-based awards of $10,000 to practicing professional artists of exceptional talent and ability residing in Washington State. These unrestricted awards are open to artists of all disciplines and are given annually to up to 8+ artists of in recognition of artistic excellence and dedication to their practice. Applications for this award are currently closed.
View GrantGAP Award
Deadline: September 7, 2021
Amount Awarded: $1,500
Number of Awards: 50+
Application Open: August 2, 2021
GAP Awards are merit-based grants of $1,500 open to Washington State artists of any discipline. GAP Awards support the development of new ideas and are intended to be a catalyst for the work of artists at critical points in their practice.
View Grant