Leslye Orr Fund for Artists with Disabilities
Leslye Orr Fund for Artists with Disabilities supports Minnesota artists with disabilities through unrestricted grants to create work, explore creative possibilities, and invest in their artistic careers.
This grant was recently updated
Cycle II opens October 7, 2026, with recipients notified April 30, 2027; existing deadlines and $2,000 awards are unchanged. Use the updated online application at https://springboardforthearts.formstack.com/forms/leslye_orr_fund_26_27. You can upload or email a 2–4 minute video instead, or get application assistance in person, virtually, or by phone.
Funder: Springboard for the Arts
Due Dates: October 6, 2026 (Cycle I) | April 6, 2027 (Cycle II)
Funding Amounts: $2,000 unrestricted grants to five artists per funding cycle
Summary: Direct, non-competitive support for Minnesota artists with disabilities to create work and invest in their artistic careers.
Key Information: Eligible artists are selected through a randomized drawing rather than competitive review.
Description
The Leslye Orr Fund for Artists with Disabilities, managed by Springboard for the Arts, provides direct support to Minnesota artists working in any discipline. Its unrestricted grants support both making creative work and investing in an artistic career. The fund uses a non-competitive approach, selecting recipients through a randomized drawing of eligible applicants.
Inspired by Leslye Orr’s advocacy for “the possibilities of disabilities,” the fund fosters artistry, inclusivity, and community joy. Orr was a Minnesota-based playwright, performer, and teacher known for workshops integrating people with disabilities. The fund carries forward those values through practical support for artists’ creative possibilities and career opportunities.
