Traditional arts endure because skilled artists choose to carry knowledge forward and share it with others. The Emerging Traditional Artists Program (ETAP) supports artists who are deepening their practice while carrying cultural knowledge forward for the next generation. Awardees receive a $5,000 award, along with professional development opportunities, peer networking, and mentorship designed to strengthen both their artistic practice and long-term impact.

The program serves eligible artists living in Appalachian Regional Commission and Delta Regional Authority communities, as well as members of state or federally recognized Native American tribes.

Fees or awards
Selected ETAP artists will receive $5,000 awards (with limited restrictions) to support learning opportunities including training, networking, and promotion.

The rich traditions of Central Appalachia are sustained not only by artists and tradition keepers, but by the organizations that create space for those traditions to thrive. In These Mountains Infrastructure Grants support nonprofit organizations preserving handcrafts, foodways, music, and other traditional arts across the region. Through $30,000 awards, the program strengthens the operational foundation these organizations depend on, supporting essential expenses that build long-term sustainability and community impact.

Fees or awards
Non-match grants are awarded in the amount of $30,000.

Womansong of Asheville has announced a new songwriting contest, “Songs of Joy, Justice, and Community” to commemorate 40 years of singing together in Asheville.

The winning original song will be performed by Womansong, Asheville’s premiere social justice-oriented, treble-voice, community chorus. “Our goal is to support songwriters in our region, as well as to increase the repertoire of choral music that speaks to our mission of ‘singing together for joy, social justice, and community,’” said Allison Thorp, Artistic Director.

The contest will award the winner a stipend of $1,000 and the opportunity to perform a choral arrangement of the song with Womansong at their May 2027 concerts.

Location
Asheville, NC

Fees or awards
No fee to enter; $1,000 prize

Now in its third year, the Publisher Work Grant program offers funding to independent presses with a history of artists’ book publishing, acknowledging awardees’ accomplishments in past work and providing the capacity-building funds to enable future book projects and publisher sustainability. In 2026, three unrestricted grants of $10,000 USD will be awarded to three independent artists’ book publishers.

Applications will be reviewed by Printed Matter and a guest jury, taking into account past work and contributions of the imprint, the strength of upcoming projects outlined, and the potential impact of the award.

Fees or awards
No application fee

VAE invites artist groups to submit proposals for exhibitions to be held in the Birdland gallery space. We are seeking groups of 2–4 artists for a 6-week exhibition run, offering an opportunity to present cohesive, ambitious, or experimental work in a professional gallery setting. This opportunity is for creatives looking for the opportunity to build their skills in installation, curation, and exhibition management.

*Note* Because of the scarcity of gallery space in the area, we will not be doing solo shows in order to give more artists opportunities to exhibit.

Gallery Space: Birdland, 706 Mountford Ave., Raleigh, NC

Fees or awards
$250 stipend

Established to recognise and encourage creative writing and art and provide a platform for publication, the Anthology Creative Awards are open to original and previously unpublished written and visual work. There are eight competitions to enter: Short Story, Poetry, Flash Fiction, Personal Memoir, Nature Writing, Travel Writing, Photography, and Cover Art.

Individual competition info, entry requirements and prizes can be found on our website.

Fees or awards
€300-€1000 for winning entries and publication in Anthology Magazine. Fees differ by competition, €12-18.

Bridge is currently seeking submissions for its V26 N1 Journal and Bridge Magazine. We welcome submissions in poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction, visual art, cultural criticism, design, and hybrid work from established as well as emerging writers and artists. We are especially interested in work that embraces the world and continues, however subtly, the ongoing global conversation about culture and society that Bridge has championed from its beginning in 1999.

Location
Chicago, IL

Fees or awards
$5 to $25 submission fee

A 12-week program designed to bring creative minds from around the world to Manchester, NH. Experience an environment that allows creative freedom to discover, define, and refine your creative practice.

The program is designed to support emerging artists with a place to live for up to 3 months. During this time selected applicants can focus full-time on further developing their creative practice as they take steps to cross the bridge into becoming career professionals.

Location
Manchester, NH

Fees or awards
Selected applicants are provided a studio apartment with basic household amenities, heat, hot water, electricity & internet provided. Additionally, each artist is granted a $350 travel stipend and a $1600 stipend that covers food and art supplies.

The City of Durham’s Cultural & Public Art Program is excited to invite artists and artist teams to submit portfolios for our Pre-Qualified Artist Registry! This registry serves as a valuable resource for selecting artists for future cultural and public art projects across the city. Whether you’re a sculptor, painter, photographer, or performer, your skills are needed to help bring the city’s public spaces to life! The Pre-Qualified Artist Registry has a rolling deadline for upcoming public art projects. Apply today!

Have questions about the Registry? Need help applying? Email Cultural & Public Art Program staff Harry Turfle: Harry.Turfle@DurhamNC.Gov 

The Southern Artist Spotlight Grant is a pilot grant program designed to amplify work with exemplary Southern artists and increase access to arts programming in our Southern communities. These grants are an opportunity for arts and community organizations in South Arts' nine-state region to receive support to present Southern guest artists – visual and performing artists, traditional and folk artists, writers and poets, and film directors from South Arts’ roster. 

The roster includes artists working in:
- film (documentary)
- performing arts (music and dance)
- literary arts (fiction and poetry)
- traditional arts (music and visual arts/crafts)
- visual arts (crafts, drawing, experimental, painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media)

Projects require a public presentation of the artist’s work and an educational/community engagement component. These grants are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fees or awards
Based on the artist fee, the maximum grant request is $8,000 for dance or $5,000 for film, music, literary arts, traditional arts, and visual arts. The grant requires a dollar-for-dollar cash match.