The Lillian Orlowsky and William Freed Grant

The Lillian Orlowsky and William Freed Grant is a private funding opportunity administered by the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM). This annual grant was established through an endowment from the late Lillian Orlowsky and William Freed, both of whom were American painters and long-time participants in PAAM’s community. The grant reflects Orlowsky's deep commitment to supporting artists who have dedicated their lives to their craft, particularly those who have not received significant recognition or commercial success. Both artists studied under Hans Hofmann and were active contributors to PAAM for over five decades, influencing Cape Cod’s vibrant art scene. Their legacy continues through this grant, which aims to raise public awareness of American painting and support artists who pursue their vision independently of market trends. The grant is specifically designed for under-recognized American painters aged 45 or older who demonstrate financial need. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, though they may reside abroad at the time of application. Only traditional painting media are accepted, including oil, acrylic, gouache, ink, tempera, watercolor, egg tempera, casein, enamel, and fresco. Excluded from consideration are digital paintings, mixed media, collage, dry pastels, chalk, prints, graphite, and drawings. The selection process is based on the artistic merit of submitted materials and how well the applicant's work aligns with the grant’s purpose: to support mature artists whose contributions remain outside mainstream recognition. Grant recipients are chosen by a rotating jury of curators, professors, artists, and writers. The selection is rooted in an evaluation of artistic quality, adherence to traditional painting techniques as defined by the grant, and the demonstrable financial need of the applicant. Successful applicants receive a cash award ranging from $5,000 to $36,000. Additionally, awardees are provided the opportunity to exhibit their work at PAAM, further extending public engagement and visibility for the recipients. Applicants are encouraged to submit recent work to reflect their current artistic trajectory, rather than retrospective surveys of their career. The application process requires submission of 10 images of recent artworks, an artist statement, a resume, a personal essay, and financial documentation supporting the claim of need. These materials must be submitted in full for consideration. There is no mention of an online portal, pre-application requirements, or registration steps, implying a direct submission format. The grant does not require cost-sharing or matching funds from the applicant. The deadline for the 2026 grant cycle is April 1, 2026. While there is no mention of a rolling application or multi-phase selection process, the program is described as annual, indicating recurring opportunities in subsequent years. The next expected cycle would likely commence in April 2027, and interested applicants should begin preparations accordingly. Internal reviews for recurring cycles should be planned by January 2027 to align with previous application patterns. For questions or further information, applicants may contact Grace Ryder-O'Malley at [email protected] or call PAAM’s general office at 508.487.1750. The museum is located at 460 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA 02657, and maintains open hours Thursday through Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. While the application process appears straightforward, applicants are strongly encouraged to review eligibility and media restrictions closely to ensure compliance with the grant's strict painting definitions.