Martha Boschen Porter Fund

The Martha Boschen Porter Fund, administered by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, is a grant program aimed at supporting artists who are at pivotal moments in their careers. The Fund specifically targets emerging artists or those undergoing a significant transition in their artistic direction, offering financial assistance to help them produce and present new work. The grant reflects the belief that the world becomes more humane and vibrant when artists are provided with the resources they need to pursue their creative endeavors. Through this program, Berkshire Taconic seeks to foster a nurturing environment for artistic innovation in the Berkshire Taconic region. This grant program is open to artists working in all media, including both creative and interpretive disciplines. Eligible applicants must be residents of specific areas within the Berkshire Taconic region: Berkshire County in Massachusetts, Columbia County and Northeast Dutchess County in New York, and Northwest Litchfield County in Connecticut. To qualify, artists must have lived full-time in these areas for at least two years prior to applying, although those with a strong connection to the region may also be considered. Previous recipients of the grant may reapply, but only after a five-year waiting period from their last award. Beginning in 2023, the Fund expanded its scope to support education and training initiatives for adult artists. This includes professional development and entrepreneurship training to help artists build sustainable careers. The Fund also considers proposals from organizations that commission artists or offer opportunities for them to create or present new work to different audiences. The awards, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, are distributed directly to the individual artists or organizations to be used for any expenses that enhance their ability to produce new work. Award recipients are responsible for applicable taxes, and all awards are reported to the IRS via Form 1099. Applications are submitted through Berkshire Taconic's SlideRoom portal, which facilitates the uploading of work samples and other required materials. The application process has been streamlined to be user-friendly and accessible. Artists with questions about the technical aspects of SlideRoom or application procedures can contact the foundation via email at grants@berkshiretaconic.org or by phone at 413-229-0370. An advisory board composed of artists and arts professionals from the region evaluates the applications. Their review focuses on the artistic excellence demonstrated in the submitted work, the potential of the proposed project to advance the artist’s development, and how well the grant funds will support that progress. Recommendations from the advisory board are submitted to Berkshire Taconic for final approval. This process ensures that funding decisions are informed by individuals who understand the nuances of various artistic disciplines and regional needs. The deadline for applications is October 15, 2025. While an explicit opening date is not stated, the grant has a clear annual pattern and can be considered recurring. The next expected cycle would likely open around the same time in 2026. Applicants should prepare to document the work completed under the grant, in alignment with the foundation's accountability standards. No pre-application steps, such as letters of intent or concept papers, are required.

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