[Center for Cultural Innovation](https://www.cciarts.org)

August 8, 2025 | June 26, 2026

$1,000–$5,000 per award; ~$60,000 total available per round; 12–22 grants expected per year; 12-month project period.

Supports individual craft, folk, and traditional artists in eligible U.S. states to acquire tools and equipment essential for creating object-based work.

Geographic eligibility rotates annually; check your state’s eligibility before applying.

--- ## Description The Investing in Artists: Tools & Equipment program, administered by the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI), provides grants to individual craft, folk, and traditional artists for the purchase or repair of tools and equipment crucial to their object-based artistic practice. The program aims to enhance artists’ working lives and creative capacity, focusing on supporting those who demonstrate a sustained commitment to their craft. Geographic eligibility rotates each year across different U.S. states and territories. Funding is awarded through a competitive application process, prioritizing requests that demonstrate how the proposed tools or equipment will provide linchpin support for the artist’s career and production capabilities. --- ## Due Dates - August 8, 2025: Full application deadline (2025 round) — applications due by 11:59 a.m. PT - June 26, 2026: Full application deadline (2026 round) — applications due by 11:59 a.m. PT All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates. --- ## Funding Amount - Individual grants range from **$1,000 to $5,000**. - Approximately **$60,000** is available per funding round. - About **12–22 grants** are expected to be awarded each cycle, depending on request sizes and application quality. - The project period is **12 months** from the award date. - Awards may be given in full or as partial funding. --- ## Eligibility Applicants must: - Be individual working craft, folk, or traditional artists (not organizations, collectives, or nonprofits). - Be at least **18 years old** at the application deadline. - Have presented artistic work in a public context (including online) within the last three years. - **Reside full-time in an eligible state or territory** for the current funding round: - **2025 round:** Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin. - **2026 round:** Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia. - Meet CCI’s definition of a “working craft artist”: self-taught or trained, spend 10+ hours/week on their art, self-identify as a professional, and attempt to derive income from their craft. - Not be full-time or matriculating students. - Not be prior recipients of the Maxwell/Hanrahan Award in Craft. - Only submit one application per round. **Ineligible requests:** routine art supplies, fixed costs (rent, insurance, utilities), capital improvements, consultant fees, personal compensation, debt payments, or purchases made before the award. --- ## Application Process - Applications are submitted **online via CCI’s Submittable platform**: [https://centerforculturalinnovation.submittable.com/](https://centerforculturalinnovation.submittable.com/) - Required components: - Contact information and eligibility quiz - Project narrative (description, impact, context) - One-page artist résumé - One-page project budget (template available but not required) - Work samples: at least 5 high-resolution images (up to 10) or 1–3 videos (max 3 minutes total) - Award administration details - Optional demographic survey - Application certification - All materials must be submitted by the deadline; incomplete or inaccessible files will render the application ineligible. - Panel review will consider clarity, impact, and artistic quality. - Grantees must submit a brief final report within 12 months of receiving the award. --- ## Additional Information - **Geographic eligibility rotates** each year; check the [program page](https://www.cciarts.org/tools_equipment.html) for current eligibility. - Grants are paid in two installments: 90% upon signing, 10% after final reporting. - Funding is considered taxable income if over $599. - CCI offers information sessions, office hours, and technical assistance. - Applicants may use a fiscal sponsor or nonprofit to receive funds if needed. --- ## External Links - [Program Homepage](https://www.cciarts.org/tools_equipment.html) - [2025 Guidelines (PDF)](https://www.cciarts.org/_Library/docs/2025_Investing_in_Artists_Tools_Equipment_Guidelines_UPDATED.pdf) - [2025 Application Preview (PDF)](https://www.cciarts.org/_Library/docs/Investing_in_Artists_Tools_Equipment_Application_Preview.pdf) - [2025 Application Preview (DOCX)](https://www.cciarts.org/_Library/docs/Investing_in_Artists_Tools_Equipment_Application_Preview.docx) - [Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)](https://www.cciarts.org/_Library/docs/2025_Investing_in_Artists_Tools_Equipment_FAQs_UPDATED.pdf) - [Sample Project Budget Template (XLSX)](https://www.cciarts.org/_Library/docs/2025_Investing_in_Artist_Tools_Equipment_Sample_Project_Budget.xlsx) - [Submittable Quick Tips (PDF)](https://www.cciarts.org/_Library/docs/Investing_in_Artists_Tools_Equipment_Submittable_Quick_Tips.pdf) - [Submittable Application Portal](https://centerforculturalinnovation.submittable.com/) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Details | |----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | General questions | grants@cciarts.org
213.870.7129 | | Technical support | [Submittable Help](https://www.submittable.com/help/submitter/) | | Office hours/schedule| [Schedule with CCI](https://calendly.com/imah-cciarts/grant-office-hours) | | Accessibility | [California Relay Service](https://caconnect.org/relay/) |

Investing in Artists: Tools & Equipment

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