Creation of New Work Grant

The Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation offers the Creation of New Work Grant, a program established in 2003 to support artistic innovation and collaborative creation in the Greater Hartford area. The initiative seeks to nurture creativity by supporting local visual and performing artists in partnership with arts organizations to produce new works. The foundation’s mission emphasizes excellence in the arts, and this grant is a reflection of its commitment to strengthening the cultural landscape in Hartford and the surrounding communities. The grant places particular importance on enhancing support for artists of color in the region. The 2026 cycle of the Creation of New Work Grant invites applications from arts organizations engaged in visual and performing arts projects. A central requirement is that these projects must be collaborative in nature, involving a named artist or group of artists and an eligible nonprofit arts organization. The format may include artist residencies, where the artist works on-site, or commissions, where the artist produces work independently. However, projects created by an organization's own artistic director or internal staff are not eligible for this specific program but may be considered under the foundation’s broader Excellence in the Arts funding stream. Eligibility for this grant is geographically limited to artists and organizations primarily based in specific towns within Hartford County, Connecticut. These include, but are not limited to, Hartford, Bloomfield, East Hartford, Newington, West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor. All artists involved must either live or produce their work within the designated service area. Furthermore, only 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organizations are eligible to apply. Artists themselves cannot apply directly and must collaborate with a sponsoring organization that meets the geographic and tax-exempt criteria. Organizations may apply for a CNW grant in consecutive years, provided previous projects have been completed. Artists, however, may not reapply in consecutive years. Applications for the 2026 cycle must be submitted online via the foundation’s website no later than 11:59 PM on August 1, 2026. Prior to submission, organizations are required to initiate contact with Executive Director Lisa Curran to discuss their proposed project. This initial communication may lead to a site visit, especially for first-time applicants. The application must include detailed responses to specific narrative questions covering project descriptions, goals, marketing plans, and definitions of artistic excellence. Supporting documentation such as financial statements, a project budget, board lists, artist CVs and work samples are also required. Applications not submitted through the online portal will not be accepted. The foundation evaluates proposals based on artistic excellence, the strength and quality of the collaboration, and the potential community benefit of the resulting new work. Projects must be completed within 24 months of receiving the grant, and progress updates are required every three months until project completion. Preference is given to projects that culminate in publicly accessible presentations, especially those that are free or permanent installations. Award notifications will follow the board meeting on September 15, 2026. All grantees are required to submit a final report within six months of the project's completion, including a comparison of the final budget to initial projections. No additional grant applications from the organization will be accepted until this report is submitted. For any additional financial needs related to the presentation of the resulting work, applicants are encouraged to consult with the Executive Director prior to application. Only submissions made through the foundation’s official online form will be considered for review.

Initiate contact with Executive Director early in the process; First-time applicants may receive a site visit.