Artist Opportunity Grant

The Artist Opportunity Grant (AOG), managed by the Arizona Commission on the Arts, is a state-funded initiative designed to provide individual artists in Arizona with the means to pursue career-enhancing opportunities. This program stems from the state's recognition of artists as a vital public resource and aims to invest in their growth and development through financial assistance. The grant supports professional development opportunities that have a significant impact on an artist’s career trajectory. The Artist Opportunity Grant is available to individual artists residing in Arizona who are at least 18 years old. Applicants must not represent an organization and may only apply once per cycle. Artists can only receive one Opportunity Grant every two fiscal years and cannot receive both an Artist Opportunity Grant and a Research & Development Grant in the same fiscal year. The fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30 of the following year. This grant welcomes applications from artists at all stages of their careers and across all disciplines. Grant funds may be used for a wide variety of expenses directly tied to the opportunity, including purchasing or renting equipment, materials, or space; covering travel, registration, and professional fees; and costs associated with preparing and documenting the experience. However, funds cannot be used for activities outside the funding period, studio rentals, academic research, or other specific restrictions outlined in the guidelines. The funding amounts range from $500 to $1,500. Applications require a detailed narrative proposal responding to four structured questions, a timeline of activities, work samples, an experience list, an expenses list, and a budget narrative. Applications are submitted via SurveyMonkey Apply, and support is available for applicants needing accommodations or facing technical issues. Narrative responses may be submitted in writing or as audio files in MP3 format. Work samples must be current and relevant to the proposed opportunity, with a variety of acceptable formats detailed in the guidelines. Submissions are reviewed by agency staff and evaluated based on the quality of the opportunity, potential impact on the artist, feasibility, and integrity. Each criterion has specific benchmarks to ensure that proposed projects are thoughtful, realistic, and equitable. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the evaluation rubric included in the guidelines to understand how their submission will be assessed. There are two application cycles: Cycle A applications are due June 20, 2025, with funding covering July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Cycle B applications are due October 16, 2025, with funding from December 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Notifications are sent out in August and December, respectively, and funds are generally disbursed 8 to 10 weeks after required paperwork is submitted. For questions, applicants can contact Artist Programs Coordinator Delia Ibañez at dibanez@azarts.gov or (602) 771-6531.