Investing in Artists: Tools & Equipment
Grants support craft, folk, and traditional artists in the Eastern U.S. to purchase or repair essential tools and equipment for their object-based artistic work.
Funder: Center for Cultural Innovation
Due Dates: May 19, 2026 (Application opens) | June 26, 2026 (Full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $1,000–$5,000 per award; $60,000 total available; 12–22 grants expected; one-year support period
Summary: Supports individual craft, folk, and traditional artists in eligible Eastern U.S. states/DC to purchase or repair tools and equipment for object-based work.
Key Information: 2026 eligibility limited to full-time residents of CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, NC, PA, RI, SC, VT, or VA.
Description
The Investing in Artists: Tools & Equipment program, administered by the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI), provides competitive grants to individual craft artists, folk and traditional artists, and craftspeople for the purchase or repair of tools and equipment essential to their object-based artistic practice. The program aims to strengthen artists’ creative infrastructure, address barriers to accessing necessary tools, and support the sustainability and advancement of their careers. Funding is intended to serve as “linchpin support” — enabling artists to meet demand, address safety or regulatory requirements, replace outdated or damaged equipment, or achieve higher standards of quality and craftsmanship. Geographic eligibility rotates annually; the 2026 cycle is open to artists residing full-time in select Eastern U.S. states and Washington, DC.
