Artist Trust
/OVERVIEW: Artist Trust supports individual artists in Washington State in funding areas that include new artistic works in any discipline, art and society, storytelling, and art innovation.
IP TAKE: There are lots of different grant opportunities available with this funder, so learn about each one rather than just submitting a general funding request for the best chance at funding.
This is a relatively transparent and very accessible arts funder in the Washington area. They’re also responsive and approachable, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have specific questions about applying.
PROFILE: Founded in 1986, Artist Trust was formed by a group of artists and art lovers who wanted to support the local artistic community. The organization invests in Washington state artists through grants, training, and resources to help artists establish and maintain their careers. This organization is “dedicated to helping Washington State artists of all disciplines thrive.” Areas of grantmaking interest include new artistic works in any discipline, art and society, storytelling, and art innovation.
There are several different aspects to the Artist Trust’s grantmaking, including grants for artist projects. These grants support projects including development, completion, or presentation in any discipline for new work and are $1,500 each. The funder also provides 10 or more fellowships each year of $7,500 each to professional artists based on merit. Conductive Garboil grants go to artists who challenge creative discourse and push art to challenge society. These are unrestricted $3,000 annual grants. Artist Trust also awards an annual unrestricted $10,000 for its LaSalle Storyteller Award to literary artists who work in fiction. Meanwhile, the Twining Humber Award is $10,000 and goes to one female visual artist over the age of 60 who has been creating art for at least 25 years. James W. Ray Venture Project Awards offer $15,000, and two of them are given annually to Washington artists developing individual and collaborative projects. James W. Ray Distinguished Artist Awards give $50,000 each, one award supporting an artist each year for exceptional originality. The Arts Innovator Awards are funded through the Dale and Leslie Chihuly Foundation and give an unrestricted $25,000 to two Washington artists who are taking risks and pushing boundaries. Finally, the COVID-19 Artist Trust Relief Fund supports artists whose livelihoods have been impacted by the pandemic.
Important Grant Details:
Artist Trust grants range from $1,500 to $50,000. Grant seekers can view a list of past grantees on the funder’s Meet Our Grant Recipients page. Grantmaking prioritizes artists working in Washington State. Each art award has its own specific guidelines, which can be reviewed on the funder’s website. Artist Trust also provides artist support programs for best business practices and networking, workshops and events, and information about various opportunities for artists and resources for practical assistance.
Artist Trust accepts unsolicited grant requests from local artists in Washington. The deadlines to apply for each program are listed on the funder’s website.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
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