Art grants can be a huge help to an artist. Artists often do not support themselves through sales alone, so a grant can be very helpful in facilitating the completion of a project or for purchasing needed supplies. Different foundations and organizations dispense grants for different purposes, so it is useful to know the guidelines of each granting entity so you can apply for the right grant for your needs.
Support Grants
Support grants are the most general type of grant. There are usually no or few restrictions on the use of the funds, so the money can be used for supplies, studio rent, bills or whatever the artist deems necessary. The selection process can be quite competitive, so a well-prepared application is a must. Sometimes the grants are meant to be used over a given period of time, and a final report on the use of the funds is required by some foundations.
Project Grants
Projects grants are meant to support specific works of art or projects. The application needs to be tailored to show that the artist will be developing and executing a work of some kind. Many granting entities will specialize in funding specific types of projects, such as public sculpture or a performance. Often, the grant is specific to a certain area served by the foundation or granting agency. These applications need to be carefully prepared to show that the project is doable by the artists involved, and sometimes there are time limitations for the completion of the project.
Emergency Grants
Emergency grants are available to artists from some foundations and other granting entities to help them deal with adverse circumstances. Many foundations that give general support grants will also have a special category of emergency grants to cover unforeseen events. Because of this, there is not usually a deadline for these grants, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The grants can be used to cover costs related to medical issues, floods or other one-time crises.
