About
Artist Development grants support the professional livelihood of artists from Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben Counties. The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes administers Artist Development grants with funding from the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes.
Grant Amount
Grant awards up to $500 will be made with the intention of supporting a diversity of artists and needs. Any one applicant can receive a maximum of $1,000/year. Each applicant can submit up to two QuickARTS or Artist Development requests per year.
Applicant Eligibility
Artists of all disciplines and expertise, 18 years of age or older, living in Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben counties may apply. Students, full or part time, of any age are not eligible to apply.
Funding Eligibility
The following is an example of how this grant can support and sustain an artist’s livelihood:
- Opportunities such as exhibitions, residencies, conferences, or classes
- Equipment and Supplies
- Unexpected expenses affecting an artist’s financial security such as medical bills or household emergencies
This is not an exhaustive list as this grant is meant to meet specific needs that arise.
Commitment to an opportunity via an enrollment, invitation, or acceptance form will strengthen an application’s competitiveness. Demonstration of anticipated expenses is required.
Award Criteria
Grants are awarded based on the following primary criteria:
- Professional Impact
- Financial Impact
Priority is given to the following:
- First time applicants
- Applicants that represent the totality of our service region
Application Process and Deadlines
Applications are submitted online at https://earts.submittable.com/submit and are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. Between the QuickArts and Artist Development programs, we expect to be able to distribute nearly $25,000 in 2026.
Award Notification & Distribution of Funds
Award notifications are sent via email within two weeks of an application’s submission.
Grant funds are mailed via check approximately two weeks after award notification and once grant recipients sign and return via email a provided funding agreement.
Final Reporting
Applicants must submit a final report online within 30 days of spending the grant funding.
Credit
Where possible, credit to the Artist Development grant program must be given using language provided with award notification.
Assistance and Support
Applicants are encouraged to discuss their applications before submission. Please contact Nate Weisenberg, The ARTS Council’s Grants Manager, at nate@eARTS.org or 607-962-1332 x204.
