The Artists Work Grant

The Artists Work grant program is administered by ArtsBuild and provides project funding to individual artists or groups of artists for the creation of artworks that culminate in a free public exhibit or performance within Hamilton County, Tennessee. This program is supported by multiple stakeholders including ArtsBuild individual donors, the City of Chattanooga, local foundations, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Tennessee Arts Commission. The initiative seeks to infuse the local creative economy and expand public access to diverse and impactful artistic experiences. The purpose of the Artists Work grant is to support the development and public presentation of art projects that animate public spaces and foster community engagement. Projects may span a range of disciplines such as visual art, fine craft, media (film or photography), performance (dance, music, theater, vocal), and literary arts. Artists are encouraged to collaborate with nonprofit arts or community organizations, provided the project remains anchored in Hamilton County and is facilitated by artists residing in or near the county. Funding awards are available up to $5,000 per project, disbursed in two installments: 75% at project start and 25% upon completion and submission of a final report. Eligible expenses include artist fees, small equipment (under $750), local transportation, rental and marketing fees, documentation, insurance, and project management. Ineligible expenses include capital improvements, major equipment purchases, existing artworks or programs, fundraisers, and projects tied to school activities or for-profit entities. Applicants must be either individual artists or groups residing in or adjacent to Hamilton County, or nonprofit organizations working in partnership with such artists. The granting period runs from September 1 to December 15, 2025. Applications are accepted from July 11 to August 8, 2025, with the final deadline listed as Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 9:25 AM Eastern Time. Applications are evaluated based on artistic engagement, quality of cultural experience, project implementation capacity, budget feasibility, and strategies for documentation and evaluation. ArtsBuild encourages accessibility and equity, allowing alternative application formats such as video or audio submissions and offering draft review opportunities. Contact for the grant is Melissa Astin, Director of Grants & Community Engagement, available at melissa@artsbuild.com or 423.777.4214.

Projects should ensure high artistic quality and community impact, include a plan for documentation and evaluation, and demonstrate feasibility through a clear budget and timeline.