Artist Funding Opportunities: $1.3 Million+ for July & August 2025
- Forbidden Fruit
- Jul 1
- 9 min read
Funding Opportunities for Artists: July & August 2025
Mid-summer brings peak season for artists ready to make bold moves in their creative careers. These artist funding opportunities July August 2025 feature over $1.3 million in grants, residencies, and competitions designed to support ambitious projects and career development. From major choreographer awards to international residency programs, this comprehensive guide highlights the most impactful opportunities available during summer's most productive months.
Whether you're seeking substantial project funding, immersive creative experiences, or platforms to showcase your work, these carefully selected opportunities provide concrete pathways to advance your artistic practice this summer. Remember:
Read the full guidelines – Requirements can change from year to year.
Check eligibility – Many grants have location or discipline-specific criteria.
Prepare your materials early – Some applications require work samples, proposals, or letters of recommendation.
Grants to Fund Your Creative Work
July and August deliver some of the year's most substantial grants, with awards ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 that can genuinely change what's possible for your practice. These aren't just small project grants - we're talking about funding for major exhibitions, equipment, or a full year to focus on your work.
July Deadlines
July 1: Ellis-Beauregard Choreographer Award – Awards $50,000 to a contemporary choreographer to stage an evening of work in Maine. This national award represents one of the largest grants available to choreographers.
July 2: Illuminations Grant for Black Trans Women Visual Artists – Queer|Art awards a $10,000 grant to one Black trans woman visual artist, plus $1,250 awards to four finalists. Includes studio visits with rotating judges and access to Queer|Art|Mentorship program tools.
July 2: Barbara Hammer Lesbian Experimental Filmmaking Grant – Provides $5,000 to lesbians for creating visionary moving-image art. Part of Queer|Art|Awards supporting LGBTQ+ artists with minimal application fee ($6).
July 7: The Windmill Trust Scholarship 2025 – Offers $10,000 scholarship for regional NSW artists to pursue professional development, exhibition opportunities, or deepen research. Covers studio rental, materials, installation, and documentation for artists living 70+ km from Sydney.
July 8: The Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants – Provides one-time grants up to $5,000 for unexpected medical, dental, and mental health emergencies to visual artists, film/video/electronic/digital artists, and choreographers in financial need.
July 15: 21c Artadia Award – Awards $15,000 in unrestricted funds to one visual artist living and working in St. Louis, Missouri, providing significant support for local creative practice.
July 15: Bridge Fund for Dance – Minneapolis offers $450,000 total for dance programming with individual grants between $5,000-$30,000. Supports development residencies, production support, and presentation opportunities for Minnesota-based choreographers and companies.
July 16: New Jersey State Council on the Arts Individual Artist Fellowship – Awards fellowships ranging from $3,000-$31,000 to practicing New Jersey artists in film/video, digital/electronic, interdisciplinary, painting, prose, and printmaking/drawing/book arts.
July 16: Native Performing Arts Fellowship – Offers $10,000 one-year grants to Native performing artists at all career stages, focusing on developing independent, credible artists dedicated to cultivating their performance craft.
July 25: Community Leaders Grant – CitizensNYC provides microgrants up to $5,000 for New Yorkers leading community-building projects to improve neighborhood life and strengthen local leadership.
July 30: Jazz Road Tours – South Arts supports 3-6 site jazz tours with grants ranging from $5,000-$15,000, often in rural communities and areas traditionally underserved by the genre.
July 30: Cross-Sector Impact Grant – South Arts provides grants up to $15,000 for "Arts &..." projects developed by partnerships between one arts organization/artist and one non-arts organization.
July 31: Homiens Art Prize – Awards over $12,000 USD annually to international artists across all art forms. Three winning artists receive $1,000 each plus exhibition opportunities and optional interviews.
July 31: AXS Film Fund – Supports documentary filmmakers and nonfiction new media creators living with disabilities, offering grants up to $10,000 each to five creators from historically underserved communities.
August Deadlines
August 1: Art and Change Grant (ACG) – Provides grants up to $2,500 for art for social change projects by women, trans*, and/or gender nonconforming artists and cultural producers in Greater Philadelphia.
Rolling Deadlines
Musicians Foundation Grants – Offers one-time financial assistance to professional musicians across all genres facing unexpected hardships including medical situations, natural disasters, or housing crises.
Gottlieb Foundation Emergency Grants – Provides interim financial assistance (typically $5,000, up to $15,000) to qualified painters, printmakers, and sculptors facing unforeseen catastrophic incidents.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grants – Offers immediate, project-based assistance ranging from $500-$3,000 (average $1,900) to artists living and working anywhere in the United States.
Adobe Creative Residency Community Fund – Commissions visual artists for company projects with awards between $500-$5,000, plus a separate $10,000 fund for creators during extraordinary hardship.
Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant – Welcomes applications from painters, sculptors, and artists working on paper with grants up to $50,000 intended for one year.
Open Calls for Exhibitions & Competitions
Summer's exhibition scene offers opportunities that go beyond just showing your work. Many of these calls include real prize money, acquisition opportunities, and the kind of visibility that can lead to gallery representation - the connections that actually move careers forward.
July Deadlines
July 2: "Open Theme" Blue Space Gallery – International competition with complete freedom in medium and style. Finalists pay $35 participation fee and compete for $1,000 grand prize plus cash awards for greatest creativity and artistry.
July 2: Switzer Canyon Roundabout Artistic Design – Flagstaff seeks artists for 3D artwork installation in roundabout center with $200,000 budget. Opportunity for regional sculptors to create significant public art.
July 2: The Dark Side – Call for Artists – International exhibition exploring shadow themes in art, bridging studio practice and public engagement. Features guest curator Lee Sharrock from Forbes.
July 3: 2025 Art Ability at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital Exhibition – Showcases work by artists with physical, cognitive, visual, and hearing disabilities. Exhibition runs November 2025-February 2026 with ticketed preview fundraising dinner.
July 4: Franklin Furnace XENO Prize for Artists' Books – Awards $5,000 to publish artist's book on book banning/burning topics in edition of at least 100 copies, addressing contemporary censorship issues.
July 5: Mother Dearest: Eternal Bond - Children and Youth Edition – Nike Art Gallery USA invites ages 13-18 globally to explore motherhood themes. Winners receive certificates, art supplies, and recognition in online and physical exhibitions.
July 6: STILL: National Still Life Award Competition – Yarrila Arts offers $36,000 prize pool for Australian residents working across all mediums interpreting contemporary still life practice with innovation and diversity.
July 6: City of Sarasota Public Art Program - 10th and Osprey Mural – Commissions experienced muralists for large-scale Florida Flora and Fauna mural with $45,000 budget, focusing on local bird species and native plants.
July 6: Orlando Neighborhood Mural: Welcoming Travelers – Seeks local Orlando artists for $20,000-$30,000 mural incorporating iconic destinations and community scenes to welcome travelers to "The City Beautiful."
July 7: Gosford Art Prize 2025 – Awards $25,000 acquisitive prize to Australian artists across all mediums. This community-driven project has grown into a major cultural highlight since 1970.
July 9: Potomac Yard Innovation District Public Art – Alexandria commissions site-specific artwork up to $300,000 for newly constructed park adjacent to Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, seeking dramatic and interactive installations.
July 9: Art in Public Buildings: Wyoming Girls' School – Seeks artists for $90,000 public art project serving 25 students aged 12-21. Keywords include powerful, nurturing, uplifting, and inspiring artwork for educational facility.
July 9: Pima County Northwest Service Center Public Art – International call for $175,000 exterior artwork reflecting community health and workforce development mission along Tucson's Miracle Mile corridor.
July 11: Regan Hospital Courtyard Interior Public Art – Rhode Island commissions $160,000 comprehensive interior artwork plan for newly renovated psychiatric hospital unit, prioritizing artists with healthcare experience.
July 11: Regan Hospital Courtyard Exterior Mural – Regional call for $65,000 courtyard mural using Polytab method for hospital exterior, open to Mid-Atlantic and New England artists.
July 11: RFQ Interior Public Art Project for Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Arts Center – Utah seeks artists for $220,000 interior artwork with semifinalist presentations and $2,500 honoraria for qualified proposals.
July 14: Flamingo Linear Park Signature Sculptures – Sunrise, Florida commissions 1-2 iconic sculptures ($120,000-$150,000 each) for high-traffic roadway locations, emphasizing day and night visual impact.
July 15: Open Call: Print Media Fair – The Latinx Project hosts second print media fair in NYC area, seeking exhibitors working in independent publishing, zines, prints, or works on paper.
July 18: RFQ Exterior Public Art Project for Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Arts Center – National call for $300,000 exterior artwork with required in-person presentations and $2,500 semifinalist honoraria.
July 28: Locust Projects Project Room Open Call – Miami invites ambitious installation-based solo exhibitions for 625 sq ft space. Selected artists receive $5,000 production budget, $3,100 artist fee, and promotional support.
Residencies & Fellowships: Time and Space to Create
Summer residencies offer uninterrupted time to push your work in new directions, whether that's three weeks in Scotland or six months in Mexico. These programs understand that breakthrough work often happens when you step outside your usual environment, surrounded by other committed artists.
July Deadlines
July 2: Gibbs Street Residency – VisArts provides six-month residency in Rockville, Maryland with free studio, stipend, and culminating solo exhibition for individual artists or collaborative teams.
July 4: Residency Program for Artists from Baden-Württemberg – Offers two six-month residencies in Namibia (February-July 2026) with €1,300 monthly stipend, €2,000 material subsidy, and visa coverage for cross-cultural artistic exchange.
July 4: Singularity Exhibition Open Call – MSU Museum funds projects up to $3,000 exploring technological singularity themes including humanity redefined, artificial minds, and algorithmic democracy.
July 5: The Zsuzsi Roboz Scholarship at Morley College – London-based opportunity providing free classes and exhibition opportunities for committed figurative artists needing career development support.
July 15: Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship – Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory offers up to $5,000 for travel and expenses supporting significant research projects in life sciences history with archival relevance.
July 15: Artist's Book Residency Grant – Women's Studio Workshop provides 6-8 week residency in New York for limited edition book work with $350/week stipend, $1,000 materials budget, and $250 travel allowance.
July 15: Jim Henson Foundation Puppetry Residency – Annual residency at Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Connecticut for contemporary puppet theater completion, including $5,000 grant.
July 15: Ucross Residencies – Four-week residency for contemporary Native American visual artists, writers, and performers with $2,000 award and no application fee.
July 16: Artist in Business Leadership Application – Year-long fellowship for Native artists provides $10,000 grant for business development, networking opportunities, and professional guidance to leverage art-making for sustainable income.
July 16: Cultural Capital Application – Awards $10,000 fellowships to Native artists dedicated to community outreach and cultural preservation, supporting those with strong community ties and commitment to ancestral knowledge transmission.
July 25: Fall 2025 Open Residency in San Miguel de Allende – Mexico-based residency in rural, tree-lined setting accommodating plastic arts, visual arts, literature, performing arts, digital arts, and cinematography with local partnerships.
July 28: MERZ Summer Residencies – Scotland-based 2-6 month international residency program providing filming opportunities, exhibitions, and festival participation alongside local artists since 2018.
July 31: Edenhope Artist Residency – Victoria, Australia offers 1-3 month stays for artists, scientists, makers, designers, and educators in open-plan studio space accommodating up to 4 residents with lake views and community engagement.
Rolling Deadlines
Steel Yard Micro-Residencies – Flexible 1-3 month commitments for creative industrial art practice with dedicated ceramics and metals residencies for specific project completion.
ART14 Residency – Self-prescribed objectives welcoming all creator types and skill levels, encouraging new media exploration, collaboration, and community engagement.
Indigo Arts Alliance Mentorship Residency Program – Brings together African Diaspora artists for co-mentorship creative process across all disciplines, currently accepting Northeastern region applications.
Ready to Apply? Research and Target Selection
With so many valuable opportunities available this summer, smart research and targeted applications are key to maximizing your success while using your time wisely.
Learn about the funders: Look beyond basic guidelines to understand the organization's history, previous recipients, and what they really care about. Check their social media, recent news, and board members to see their current focus.
Study past winners: Look at work and backgrounds of previous grantees to understand what kinds of artists and projects they actually choose, not just what they say they want in their guidelines.
Connect with people who know: Reach out to past recipients or staff through social media or networking events. Many people are happy to share what helped them succeed or what they learned from the process.
Track patterns and timing: Notice when organizations announce winners, how long reviews take, and whether they give feedback. This helps you plan future applications and know what to expect.
Focus on quality, not quantity: Instead of applying everywhere, pick 5-8 opportunities that really match your work and goals. Spend much more time creating excellent applications for these targeted choices.
Before submitting, carefully review each opportunity's full guidelines - many have specific eligibility requirements related to geography, career stage, or artistic medium. Remember that successful applications often demonstrate clear alignment between your artistic vision and the funder's specific mission or contemporary concerns.
Ready to strengthen your application strategy? Join Asimina Chremos, Crux, & Stonez for our next grant writing workshop focusing on how to craft a winning proposal. Check our website for upcoming workshop dates and registration details.
Stay connected! Follow us on social media or join our mailing list to receive:
Updates about future funding opportunities
Notifications when workshop registration opens
Resources for artists and creators
Community news and events
Best of luck with your submissions - here's to a summer of strategic applications and creative breakthroughs!
