Stanley Bleifeld Memorial Grant

The Stanley Bleifeld Memorial Grant is a competitive, merit-based award established by the National Sculpture Society (NSS), a respected arts organization dedicated to promoting excellence in sculpture. The NSS, headquartered in New York City, has long supported sculptors across the United States through exhibitions, programs, and funding opportunities. This particular grant honors the legacy of Stanley Bleifeld, a distinguished sculptor known for his profound connection to nature and his mastery in both sculpture in the round and bas-relief. The purpose of the Stanley Bleifeld Memorial Grant is to recognize and support a sculptor who has demonstrated exceptional skill and has developed a mature body of work inspired by the natural world. Applicants must present sculptures that reflect this inspiration, and the body of work should not include pieces created in workshop or instructional settings. This requirement ensures that the submitted work represents the applicant’s independent artistic vision and technical proficiency. A single award of $5,000 is given annually. The grant is open to artists who are either citizens or residents of the United States and who hold a valid Social Security number. Importantly, current elected members of the National Sculpture Society are not eligible to apply, maintaining impartiality and opening the door to a broader applicant pool. The application process is free of charge, and there is no fee to submit materials. Applications are managed through the NSS platform known as Entry-Thingy. Required submission materials include high-quality JPEG images of between 11 and 15 sculptures, with at least two of those works being bas-reliefs. For sculptures in the round, applicants must submit at least two different views, with the total number of images not exceeding 30. Each image must be labeled with the sculpture’s title, medium, and dimensions. Additionally, a concise CV summarizing the artist’s career path must be included in the Entry-Thingy profile. The applications will be evaluated by a three-person jury, which will include at least two professional sculptors. Their assessment will focus on the artistic merit, originality, and natural inspiration evident in the body of work submitted. The deadline to apply for the 2026 award is September 15, 2025, and the selected recipient will be announced in March 2026. The National Sculpture Society encourages participation from all sculptors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, socioeconomic background, education, or disability status. The NSS office, located at 6 East 39th Street, Suite 903, New York, NY, is open Monday through Friday, 10 am to 5 pm, and can be contacted at 212-764-5645 for further inquiries. All applications and supporting documents must be submitted digitally via the designated Entry-Thingy portal prior to the deadline.