CERF+’s Get Ready Grants Program

CERF+ (Craft Emergency Relief Fund) administers the Artist Get Ready Grants as part of its mission to support and sustain the careers of craft artists across the United States. The program provides individual microgrants to help artists prepare for emergencies, protect their careers and studios, and build long-term professional resilience. CERF+ gives priority consideration to applicants from the global majority, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), as well as folk and traditional artists. The program is committed to advancing equity and cultural preservation in the craft arts community. The Artist Get Ready Grant offers up to $1,000 for eligible craft artists to engage in emergency readiness, studio safety upgrades, and career continuity planning. Example uses include purchasing safety or emergency equipment, implementing theft protection, upgrading studios for disaster resilience, securing business records, engaging in professional development, and short-term childcare that enables studio time. Grants are not awarded for general art-making projects, and the program strictly supports readiness and protection-related activities. To qualify, applicants must be individual artists working in a craft discipline, have lived and worked in the U.S. or its territories for at least two years, and not have received a Get Ready Grant in 2025. Craft disciplines are defined broadly to include traditional media like clay, wood, textiles, glass, and metal, as well as experimental and hybrid approaches. CERF+ emphasizes that eligibility is not determined solely by commercial success or educational background, recognizing the diverse paths that working artists take. The application cycle is currently closed. A new cycle will open on July 15, 2025, specifically aimed at assisting craft artists affected by Hurricane Helene. The application deadline for this special cycle is August 12, 2025, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Applicants will be notified of their status on September 9, 2025. To apply, artists must complete the online application, which includes a 400-word written narrative or 3-minute video explaining the proposed project’s readiness goals, sustainability, and community-sharing plan. Required supporting documents include a resume or artist narrative, five images of recent work, a photo of the artist in practice, and a budget identifying which costs the grant would support. Applications are selected by lottery among eligible applicants with qualifying projects. Evaluation criteria focus on feasibility, budget clarity, and the applicant's plan to share what they learn. The award must be used within six months of receipt. CERF+ encourages recipients to creatively document their outcomes through blog posts, videos, or other educational tools. For questions, applicants can contact CERF+ at programs@cerfplus.org or (802) 229-2306 ext. 3. CERF+ continues to strengthen the craft arts field through direct support that fosters preparedness and career stability. The special 2025 cycle responds to the urgent needs of artists impacted by Hurricane Helene and underscores CERF+’s role in providing responsive and inclusive support across the craft sector.

Incomplete applications are not considered. Strong applications will demonstrate feasibility and a clear plan for sharing learnings with the community.