OVERVIEW: Artist Trust supports individual artists working in any discipline or disciplines of visual and/or performing arts in Washington state.
IP TAKE: In addition to funding, the Artist Trust is a great source of support to any artists in any field across the state of Washington. The trust offers professional development events and online resources. Funding is modest but recognizes innovation, commitment and the difficulties faced by BIPOC, LGBTQ, disabled and other marginalized groups in the arts. Keep up with this funder by signing up for its newsletter at the bottom of the website.
PROFILE: Founded in 1986, Artist Trust was formed by a group of artists and art lovers who wanted to support the local artistic community. Its stated mission is to support “the livelihoods of artists working in all disciplines to create a more vibrant and equitable Washington State.” Since its founding, this funder has made $15 in grants to support artists and collaborations in any artistic discipline or medium across the state. The trust also offers a selection of professional development workshops and resources to Washington-based artists.
Grants for Arts and Culture
Artist Trust runs the following grant and fellowship opportunities:
Fellowship Awards provide $10,000 in unrestricted funding to eight or more Washington-based artists each year. Fellowships recognize “artistic excellence and dedication” in any discipline. Subcategories of this award include the Fellowship Award for Black Artists, the Greg Kucera and Larry Yocom Fellowship Award and The Lillian Miller Foundation Fellowship for Trans and Indigiqueer Artists. See the program page for current guidelines.
Sola Awards annually support five “female-identified visual artists, age 60 or over, who have dedicated 25 years or more to creating art.” The award provides $5,000 in unrestricted funding, and at least one of the five awards honors a BIPOC artists. The trust accepts nominations for the award each year, typically until early March.
The Twining Humber Award is awarded annually in the amount of $10,000 to one “female-identified visual artist, age 60 or over, who has dedicated 25 years or more to creating art.” This award specifically recognizes “female-identified artists who oftentimes must interrupt or postpone art-making in order to answer the demands of family life.” The trust accepts nominations for the award each year, typically until early March.
The Arts Innovator Award supports two artists each year “who are originating new work, experimenting with new ideas, taking risks, and pushing the boundaries of their fields.” This is a $25,000 unrestricted grant. Current application guidelines are linked to the program page.
Grants for Artist Projects provide stipends of $1,500 to 65 artists working in any discipline or disciplines for expenses related to artistic productions, including supplies, travel, group fees, promotional materials and more. Current guidelines are linked to the program page.
Endurance Grants are unrestricted grants of $2,500 that are meant to cover pressing needs or emergencies. These grants are designated for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, immunocompromised, immigrant, disabled or low-income artists who live outside of King County. Up-to-date guidelines are linked to the program page.
Important Grant Details:
Artist Trust grants range from $1,500 to $25,000, but are typically awarded in amounts specified by program.
This funder tends to support artists rather than arts organizations.
Awards and fellowships are open to artists working in any discipline or disciplines of visual and/or performing arts.
Each program varies in its application or nomination process. See individual program pages for the latest guidelines.
Information about past fellows and award winners is available at the bottom of each program page.
Contact this funder via email at info@artisttrust.org or by telephone at (206) 467-8734. Keep up with the latest about grants and opportunities by signing up for the trust’s newsletter at the bottom of the website.
PEOPLE:
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