Arts Idaho Fellowships for Artists and Writers

The Idaho Commission on the Arts offers an annual Fellowship in Folk and Traditional Arts, recognizing outstanding Idaho-based tradition bearers whose lifelong commitment to cultural practices has enriched their communities and contributed significantly to the state’s cultural heritage. This grant is part of a broader fellowship program previously encompassing various disciplines such as visual arts, literature, and performing/media arts. However, due to recent federal guideline changes, fellowships in all categories except Folk and Traditional Arts have been suspended indefinitely. The federal funding agency now restricts support to individuals engaged in professional development or working in folk art, thereby narrowing the eligible pool of applicants and grant purposes. The Folk and Traditional Arts Fellowship is intended to honor artists who have preserved and promoted long-standing customs specific to Idaho’s diverse cultural communities. The award celebrates the depth and integrity of practice demonstrated by individuals who maintain traditions through oral transmission, community practice, and intergenerational mentorship. While the fellowship rotates disciplines every two years, the Folk and Traditional Arts category is open for the January 2026 deadline cycle, with others like Visual Arts, Literature, and Performing/Media Arts currently on hold. Eligible applicants must be practicing artists or writers residing in Idaho for at least one year prior to the application deadline. Additional requirements include being at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and not currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program. Individuals who have previously received fellowships from the Commission must wait four years before reapplying and can receive no more than three awards in their lifetime. Only one application per eligible discipline is allowed per cycle, and all past reports for Commission-funded projects must be submitted and approved prior to applying. The fellowship award is $5,000 per recipient. The funding is unrestricted in use, intended to advance the recipient’s artistic career and promote the visibility of their work. However, it cannot be used for academic tuition, previously completed projects, fundraising, promotional items, or capital expenditures. The application process is conducted online through the Idaho Commission on the Arts’ grant portal. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on January 31, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Evaluation of applications involves peer review by a panel whose recommendations are then presented to the Commission's board for approval during their May meeting. Applicants are notified of their funding status in June, and grant funds become available in July. The Commission encourages applicants to request a courtesy review at least three weeks prior to the deadline to receive feedback on their application. This review does not influence funding decisions but may improve application quality. Applicants may include up to ten images, five audio or video samples not exceeding ten minutes, or up to 20 pages of written work with optional summaries for excerpts. Artists working in playwriting or screenwriting must follow the same page limits. The Commission upholds principles of accessibility and nondiscrimination, requiring that funded projects be compliant with all relevant civil rights and public policy regulations. All inquiries about the program should be directed to John McMahon at [email protected] or by phone at (208) 334-2119.

Request a courtesy review at least three weeks before deadline for feedback.