How to Find (and win) Art Grants
First off, if you don’t know me — check out my About page.
I want you to know two things up front:
I’m a working multimedia artist who does professional, commission-based creative work.
I’ve successfully applied for and received multiple grants — local, national, small, and large.
When I was starting out, grant searching and writing felt like something meant for people who weren’t like me. But it isn’t just for people who are already plugged-in or lucky. It’s a skill you can learn. And if you’re willing to do a bit of prep, research, and relationship-building, you can absolutely increase your chances of success.
Here’s how I approach it — and how you can start. Getting grants is not magic — it’s about persistence, preparation, and community. Here are some of my guiding principles:
Know your local scene: Find out who distributes grants in your city and state. For example, in Maryland, check out the Maryland State Arts Council.
Attend info sessions: Get in the (virtual) room where it happens. Ask questions, make your face known.
Sign up for newsletters: I recommend Words of Mouth and Pick Up The Flow. I can not overstate this.
Meet deadlines early: Submit at least a day in advance. No exceptions.
Test your language: Share your draft with someone outside your discipline. Buy them a coffee or lunch. Value their feedback.
Research past winners: Study the judges, the mission, and what’s been funded before.
Share knowledge: Help your community win too. Generosity builds momentum.
I talk more about the confidence needed to win grants, how to use AI to assist you, and my personal wins (and failures) over on Patreon.