Call Description

The Connecticut Arts Foundation Individual Artist Award provides monetary support, professional development, and exhibitions for Connecticut-based artists to advance their artistic practice.

The Spring 2026 award is $75,000 for a Connecticut artist who is primarily a painter. 

The open call will close on April 30, 2026 or when 100 applications are received, whichever is first.

The award recognizes artistic excellence, artistic merit, and feasibility, and is intended to support artists at various career stages. Funds are unrestricted and are intended to provide support for up to one year; inclusive of arts materials and studio space.

Panelists will review all the applications and select 3 semi-finalists for the second-round evaluation.  A combination of an in-person interview, studio visit, and submission of additional documentation will be scored to select the finalist.

Application Requirements

Work samples (5-10), as jpeg files of 3-5 MB each.  

Artist's Statement.

CV or Bio; which includes education background, exhibition history (if any).

A statement of Artistic Intent and Proposed use of funds. 

A statement of Feasibility & Readiness to make use of the grant.

Eligibility Criteria

Rules & Requirements Document Here

FAQs Document Here

Applicants must:

1.    Be 18 years of age or older on January 1, 2026

2.    Be a full-time Connecticut resident, now and for the past two years.

3.    Be an individual artist (not applying on behalf of a collaboration or an organization)

4.    Not be enrolled full-time in a degree-granting program during the grant period (if applicable)

5.    Meet all additional eligibility requirements listed in the Rules & Requirements