Grants for Artists
The purpose of OVAC’s granting program is to foster Oklahoma’s visual artistic creative excellence. The grants committee supports the mission of OVAC and scores submissions based on the merit of each application according to the pertinent grant category and its associated criteria. Grants are open to artists working in visual-based mediums, curation, and art writing.
Slide 1: Lauren Rosenfelt, "Artistic Signage at the Norman Central Library", 2021 Community/Artist Partnership Grant Recipient
Slide 2: JP Morrison Lans, "Assistance with Application Fees", 2021 Professional Basics Grant Recipient
Slide 3: Marie Casimir, "Notes on Survival", 2021 Creative Projects Grant Recipient
Slide 4: Cathryn Thomas, "New Studio", 2021 Professional Basics Grant Recipient
Community/Artist Partnership (CAP) Grant
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Up to $1,200, no match is required.
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For initiating community-based projects leading to artwork creation.
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Evaluated based on four things: quality of work, community impact, concept, and ability to complete project.
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Preference will be shown to projects occurring in under-represented regions of OK, involve community collaboration, and/or include BIPOC.
Creative Projects Grant
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Up to $1,500, no match is required.
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For creating new work that will culminate in a public event focused on artist’s own work. Includes travel fees.
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Evaluated based on four items: career altering potential, quality of work, concept, and ability to complete project.
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Preference will be shown to projects occurring in under-represented regions of OK and/or include collaborations with BIPOC.
Professional Basics Grant
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Up to $500, no match is required.
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For the essentials of an art practice: quality artwork samples, display/framing, shipping, and website development, travel assistance.
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Evaluated by measuring the quality of the proposed project, ability to complete project, and relevance based on portfolio.
Education &
Travel Assistance Grant
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Up to $500, no match is required.
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For conferences, residencies, studio workshops, or study trips. Includes travel fees for educational opportunities.
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Evaluated by measuring the quality of educational opportunity, potential impact on practice/career, ability to complete project, and relevance based on portfolio.
The Grants Committee reviews proposals based on criteria found in the application forms. Click the "Scoring" button under each category below to see the Grant Evaluation Matrix to view the specifics on how grant applications are scored.
The Grants Committee reserves the right to not fund projects if there is a lack of quality applications.
OVAC staff coordinates the program but does not serve on the grant committees. Because of this, the staff is available to answer questions regarding the grants and application process. To ensure accessibility, we created recurring office hours to answer questions or review applications prior to the deadlines. The office hours will take place the week before each deadline and will have five, thirty-minute sessions. Participants are asked to prepare the application prior to their session for review. If you need assistance with your application or have questions please reach out to ariana@ovac-ok.org
The next office hours will be April 3rd - 5th. There are five 30-minute time slots available
email ariana@ovac-ok.org to schedule an appointment
OVAC Artist Grants Office Hours
Timeline
Grant applications are reviewed quarterly. Applications must be received by11:59 PM on January 15, April 15, July 15, or October 15.
Artists can expect notification within four weeks of the application deadline.
Payment can be issued two weeks after notification of awarded projects
Projects must happen after the grant application is accepted.
Eligibility
Grant recipients must have held at least 12 months of residency in Oklahoma prior to the submission deadline.
If you are awarded for a quarterly grant, you have to wait one year before reapplying.
Individuals can only have their name attached to one application per cycle.
Recipients of Art 365, Concept Focus, and Momentum Spotlight are not eligible to apply within one year of their reward disbursement of the stated programs. If you are awarded a Thrive Grant, you are eligible to apply, but your proposed project may not be the same as your Thrive proposal or a new iteration of said project.
You may not request a grant to reimburse spent funds.