Applications open on Monday 29 June 2026.
Grants for artists & creative storiesSummer 2026 applications open soon
Make art.
Keep going.
One artist. Every quarter.$1,000Unrestricted creative grant / USD
Your work matters.
So does the story behind it.
Illustrative photography / Unsplash · not applicant workDeadline: Thursday 20 August 2026, 11:59pm UK time
Applications open in
00Days
00Hours
00Minutes
00Seconds
Deadline: Thursday 20 August 2026, 11:59pm UK time
A little support.
A next step.
Your practice. Your possibility.
ArtFundMe supports artists, makers and creative storytellers with quarterly grants. Support to keep making, experimenting and sharing your work.
Meet the award ↓You don't need a perfect CV, formal training or gallery representation.The quarterly creative awardSummer 2026
$1,000.
For what’s next.
$1,000.
For your next step.
One selected artist receives an unrestricted grant to support their creative practice.
18 more
voices recognised.
Eighteen artists receive honourable mentions each cycle and may be featured editorially.
Your work.
Your rights.
You retain copyright. Selected work may be shared for editorial, promotional and award-announcement purposes.
Meet a past winner / Summer 2026Kenzie
Kenzie
Colvin.
Summer 2026 winner.
A self-taught, multidisciplinary artist exploring resilience, identity and human connection through acrylic painting.
Support for the next chapter of her creative practice.
Read Kenzie’s story ↗This homepage feature stays visible between award cycles.Weekly Artist SpotlightFeatured
Featured
artists.
Meet the artists and the work behind their stories.
Featured artists are selected from applicants who gave public spotlight permission. Spotlight selection is separate from judging and does not affect the award outcome.
Live activity
A living space for creative stories.
Application energy
Opening soon
Just opened
Gathering stories
Building momentum
Final weeks
Final 72 hours
Applications closed
Review in progress
Winner announced
Applications open soon.
Story prompt
What made you keep going?
Every light represents a story shared with ArtFund Me.
Recent creative energy
PaintingPhotographySculptureFilmTextilesCeramicsPerformanceSoundWritingDigital ArtMixed MediaIllustrationInstallationCommunity ArtExperimental Practice
PaintingPhotographySculptureFilmTextilesCeramicsPerformanceSoundWritingDigital ArtMixed MediaIllustrationInstallationCommunity ArtExperimental Practice
Current cycle signals
Recently shared with ArtFund Me.
Shown only from applicants who give permission for public preview. This creates momentum without showing exact applicant totals or implying limited places.
Artist stories / Past WinnersFrom the
From the
blog.
The work, the journey and what comes next.
08/09/2026 / Past Winners
KENZIE COLVIN — SUMMER 2026 WINNER
Read the published winner story, with the original interview and artwork.
Read the full story ↗From you.
To what’s next.
No perfect pitch required. Show us your work and tell us the story behind it.
Submit your work
Upload or link to examples of your creative practice.
Tell us your story
Share the personal history, journey or experience behind the work.
Panel review
Applications are reviewed using published criteria.
Winner announced
One artist receives $1,000. 18 artists receive Honorable Mentions.
Who can apply / Artists aged 18+ worldwide
Self-taught?
Starting out?
You belong here.
Emerging, independent, mid-career or established. Painting, sound, sculpture, writing or something we haven’t seen before. We want to see your work.
Apply now / $35 USD ↗Skill and judgement. Never chance.The work.
The work.
The voice.
The story.
Every application is assessed against the same published criteria.
Strength of creative work35%
Originality / personal voice20%
Story, journey or lived experience25%
Clarity of purpose: how the grant may help10%
Emotional, creative or cultural impact10%
Dates and deadlines
Current cycle timeline.
| Cycle | Deadline | Winner announced |
|---|
Application guidance
What you'll need to apply
Application fee: $35 USD
The application fee is non-refundable and helps support the grant award, application review, administration, selected artist promotion, platform costs and the continued running of ArtFund Me.
Applications open 29 June- Your name
- Email address
- Country / city
- Artist or creative name
- Website, Instagram or portfolio link
- Your main creative medium
- Examples of your work
- A short description of your creative practice
- The personal story behind your work
- How the $1,000 grant would support you right now
Terms / legal clarity
Important information
ArtFund Me is an independent creative award platform. It is not a charity, public funding body or government grant.
ArtFund Me is operated as a skill and judgement-based creative award. Applications are assessed by a review panel against published criteria. The outcome is not determined by chance.
Application fees are non-refundable.
Applicants retain all rights to their work. By applying, selected artists grant ArtFund Me permission to share submitted images, name, artist statement and links for promotional, editorial and winner-announcement purposes.
ArtFund Me may update dates, judging panels, promotional formats or application requirements where necessary, but the advertised grant amount for each active cycle will be honoured.
Before you applyGood
Good
questions.
Is this open to all mediums?
Yes. ArtFund Me welcomes all creative mediums including visual art, photography, performance, film, writing, textiles, sound, design, mixed media and experimental practice.
Do I need to be a professional artist?
No. You can be emerging, self-taught, independent, returning to your practice, mid-career or established.
Is the winner chosen randomly?
No. ArtFund Me is a skill and judgement-based creative award. Applications are reviewed against published criteria.
What is the application fee?
The application fee is $35 USD.
Is the application fee refundable?
No. Application fees are non-refundable.
What does the fee support?
The fee supports the grant award, review process, administration, selected artist promotion, platform costs and the running of ArtFund Me.
Why is the fee in USD if ArtFund Me is UK-based?
ArtFund Me is based in the UK but open to artists worldwide. We use USD because it is widely understood by international applicants.
Can international artists apply?
Yes. Artists and creatives aged 18+ can apply from anywhere in the world.
What are Honorable Mentions?
Each cycle, 18 artists receive Honorable Mentions and may be featured through the ArtFund Me website, email or social channels.
Can I submit more than one application?
Yes, but each application must be submitted separately and requires its own application fee. Each application is reviewed individually.
Do I keep copyright?
Yes. Applicants retain copyright of their work. Selected artists grant ArtFund Me permission to share submitted images, names, statements and links for promotional and editorial purposes.
How are weekly spotlight artists chosen?
Weekly spotlight artists are selected from applicants who gave public spotlight permission. The spotlight is refreshed weekly, is separate from judging and does not affect the award outcome.