The Upstate Individual Artists Fellowship provides unrestricted funding and statewide recognition to California artists at key moments in their careers, elevating their capacity for continued contributions to the field and our state. Fellowships will be awarded based on artists’ creative vision, aesthetic excellence, and community engagement and social impact.
Grant Awards: $5,000—$50,000
Tiers: Emerging, Established, and Legacy artists
Deadline: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 11:59pm PST
Panel Review: Mid May - Mid July
Award Announcements: Late July
Grant Activity Period: August 1, 2026—July 31, 2027
PROGRAM GOALS
The Upstate Individual Artists Fellowship:
Recognizes artistic excellence across all disciplines and traditions.
Provides unrestricted financial support to empower artists at key career stages to strengthen artists’ long-term resilience and impact.
Strengthens artists’ capacity and resilience through coaching, networking, and professional development.
Engages communities by showcasing the social impact and cultural leadership of Upstate Individual Artists Fellows.
Please see our Grant Guidelines, Application Questions, FAQs, and Glossary of Terms and Definitions for more information.
