Visual Arts activity in the nation is undertaken by a variety of organizations and institutions—including large and small, rural and urban, emerging and established, public or private non-profit—many of which have solely artistic missions. Others are community-based organizations whose portfolios may, on occasion, include the visual arts.

The NEA is committed to supporting visual arts activity—painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, drawing, craft, and public art—that demonstrates exceptional aesthetic investigation and meaningful community engagement.

Specifically, the NEA is interested in supporting contemporary artists and the projects they undertake, such as exhibitions, residencies, publications, commissions, public art works, conservation, documentation, services to the field, and public programs. The NEA is committed to encouraging individual artistic development, experimentation, and dialogue between artists and the public.

The NEA is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and fostering mutual respect for the diverse beliefs and values of all individuals and groups. Projects may focus on reaching a particular group or demographic, however, they may not be exclusionary under Federal civil rights laws and policies prohibiting discrimination. This extends to hiring practices, artist selection processes, and audience engagement. For additional information, refer to this archived webinar: Things to Know Before You Apply: Federal Civil Rights and Your Grants Application.

Applicants may request cost share/matching grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.

If your project is developed and managed by local government, see the Local Arts Agencies description to help you in your discipline selection.

For information on how to apply, see “How to Apply” on the left.

Project Types

Project Types include, but are not limited to:

• Exhibitions and related activities.
• Conservation, preservation, and/or restoration.
• Commissions or public art.
• Residencies.
• Periodicals, publications, or catalogues.
• Public programming such as workshops, lectures and symposia, or other outreach activities.
• Education and related activities for youth, adults, intergenerational groups, and schools. (If your project is for youth, see "Choosing the Right Discipline for Youth Projects" to help you in your discipline selection.)
• Innovative uses of technology and/or projects that use technology to serve broader audiences.
• Services to the field.
• Projects that engage people with disabilities.

Deadlines:

Grants for Arts Projects applications will be accepted at two deadlines. All project types (described below) are accepted at both deadlines. Generally, an organization is limited to one application per year in the Grants for Arts Projects category.

For Visual Arts projects with a distinct technology-focused media arts component: Your organization may be eligible to submit a second application under the July deadline for Media Arts.

First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:

Second Grants for Arts Projects Deadline: