[New England Foundation for the Arts](https://www.nefa.org)

October 2026 (Application deadline, projected)

$500–$3,000 per grant; supports individual artists' professional development

Supports New England artists with professional development to strengthen public art practices and foster equitable, vibrant public spaces.

--- ## Description The Public Art Learning Fund provides direct support for professional development activities to artists in New England whose practices engage the public realm. This program aims to strengthen the field of public art by equipping artists with critical skills, resources, and connections, with a focus on advancing spatial and racial justice in public spaces. Funded activities may include conferences, workshops, trainings, or discussions that directly enhance the artist's public art practice. The fund prioritizes opportunities that expand an artist’s public art practice and contribute to more just and inclusive public artmaking across the region. --- ## Due Dates - October 2026 (anticipated/projected application deadline) _All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates._ --- ## Funding Amount - Grants range from $500 to $3,000 per artist. - Funds are intended solely for professional development activities (not for creating or implementing public art projects). - Grant funds are provided in full at the beginning of the grant year and are taxable income to recipients. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be artists who: - Reside full-time and make work in one of the six New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont. - Engage the public realm in their artistic practice or are in the process of expanding toward public artmaking. - Maintain an active [CreativeGround profile](https://www.creativeground.org/). - Professional development opportunities must: - Directly relate to strengthening the applicant’s public art practice. - Take place during the grant year (January 1–December 31 of the following year). - May occur outside New England; travel expenses are eligible only if beyond a commutable distance from the artist’s home. - Ineligible applicants: - Artists seeking funds for public art project development or implementation. - Artists applying for opportunities outside the grant year. - Current grantees or those with outstanding reports; past grantees must wait a full calendar year from completing their report before reapplying. --- ## Application Process - Applications are submitted online through the NEFA grants portal. - Applicants should clearly articulate how the professional development opportunity will expand their public art practice and contribute to equity in public artmaking. - All grantees must submit a final report within 40 days after completing the funded activity. - Incomplete or delayed reports will disqualify artists from future funding until resolved. --- ## Additional Information - The program prioritizes equity and inclusion, supporting artists from diverse backgrounds and all New England communities (urban, suburban, rural). - No applicant will be denied based on race, color, national origin, gender, or other protected classifications. - Past grantees can view [previous recipients](https://www.nefa.org/grants/grant-recipients-filtered?keyword-filter=&grant-program-filter%5B10961%5D=10961&items_per_page=120) online. --- ## External Links - [Program page and application details](https://www.nefa.org/grants/find-grant/public-art-learning-fund) - [NEFA Public Art Programs](https://www.nefa.org/grants/grant-programs/public-art) - [CreativeGround profile registration](https://www.creativeground.org/) - [Preview grantee report questions](https://www.nefa.org/public-art-learning-fund-preview-grantee-report-questions) - [Contact NEFA](https://www.nefa.org/contact) --- ## Contact Information | Department/Contact | Email | Phone | Web Form/More Info | |------------------------------|--------------------|---------------|-----------------------------------------| | NEFA General Inquiries | info@nefa.org | 617-951-0010 | [Contact NEFA](https://www.nefa.org/contact) | ---

Public Art Learning Fund - New England Foundation for the Arts

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