Create Wisconsin Statewide Artist Grant

The Create Wisconsin Statewide Artist Grant Program is a three-year initiative launched with the support of the Ruth Foundation for the Arts. It is designed to uplift the creative economy of Wisconsin by directly supporting individual artists across all 72 counties. Create Wisconsin, the administering organization, works to foster a vibrant and inclusive creative sector throughout the state. The grant program aligns with this mission by recognizing the importance of individual artistry and community-based cultural engagement in enhancing civic, economic, and social vitality. With its targeted outreach, the program aims to strengthen both personal artistic development and broader community enrichment through grants to practicing artists in a range of visual and performing disciplines. The program operates annually, awarding a new set of recipients each year within its three-year cycle. Grants are offered in two distinct categories: one supporting individual artistic enrichment and the other funding community-based initiatives. The first category supports furthering artistic capacity through continuing education or well-defined artistic research projects. The second emphasizes community impact through public exhibitions, performances, educational programs, and other local engagements. In both categories, proposals must be well-articulated and limited to 500 words. The application must also include a background description, a simple budget, and up to 10 labeled work samples in JPG, PNG, or MP4 format. The maximum file size per submission is 5GB. Applicants must be over the age of 21 and primarily based in Wisconsin. They must demonstrate creative ability and a professional track record in their discipline. Individuals living in rural counties with populations under 55,000 will be prioritized for up to 35% of the total funding pool. Importantly, the program does not accept applications from organizations, agencies, past recipients, or individuals affiliated with the Ruth Foundation or Create Wisconsin, including staff, board members, and their families. These restrictions ensure the focus remains on empowering new individual applicants. The application portal for the current grant cycle opens the week of December 15, 2025, and closes at 11:59 PM CT on Monday, February 16, 2026. Only online applications will be accepted; mail-in submissions are not permitted. Upon submitting an application, applicants will receive an automated email confirmation from “Airtable Automations.” If confirmation is not received within 24 hours, applicants are encouraged to follow up. All applications will undergo review by a juried panel between February 16 and March 30, 2026, with award announcements made by March 31, 2026. Selected recipients will receive their grant funds on April 1, 2026. Grantees are required to complete their funded projects and submit a final report by January 4, 2027. The program’s structure includes a rigorous and transparent selection process, with an emphasis on outreach and accessibility to artists in every corner of the state. The support from the Ruth Foundation for the Arts underscores a shared commitment to decentralizing funding and enhancing opportunities for underrepresented and rural creatives. By investing in both individual artistry and collective cultural engagement, the program seeks to build a resilient and diverse creative infrastructure across Wisconsin.