[New York Foundation for The Arts](https://www.nyfa.org)

April 14, 2026 (Application deadline)

$30,000 total per artist, distributed over three years; five artists will be awarded in this cycle.

Supports NYC-based visual artists experiencing housing instability by providing multi-year supplemental funding for rent and utilities.

Highly competitive; only five grants awarded per cycle.

--- ## Description This grant program, supported by the Woodman Family Foundation and administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), aims to address the housing affordability crisis impacting visual artists in New York City. It provides $30,000 per recipient (disbursed over three years) to help stabilize housing for practicing visual artists who are experiencing or anticipating housing instability. In addition to funding, recipients will receive guidance on affordable housing resources through a partnership with the Entertainment Community Fund. --- ## Due Dates - Application deadline: April 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET Applicants will be notified of decisions in Summer 2026. --- ## Funding Amount - $30,000 per artist, distributed in three installments over three years: - Year 1: $12,000 (May 1, 2026 – August 30, 2027) - Year 2: $10,000 (September 1, 2027 – August 30, 2028) - Year 3: $8,000 (September 1, 2028 – August 30, 2029) - Five artists will be selected for this cycle. Funds may only be used for rent, utilities, and security deposits for housing within the five boroughs of New York City during the eligible grant periods. --- ## Eligibility Applicants must meet all of the following criteria: ### Individual Eligibility - Be 21 years or older on April 14, 2026. - Reside in one of NYC’s five boroughs (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island) and have maintained NYC residency for at least the last five consecutive years (a single absence of up to 12 months is allowed). - Maximum adjusted gross income: $80,000 (individual) or $160,000 (joint filers), averaged over the last two federal tax returns. - Household assets no greater than $90,720 (individual) or $129,600 (joint filers) as of the deadline. - Not own or have equity in any primary or secondary residence. - Not currently receive rental assistance (e.g., Section 8, CityFHEPS, VASH, public housing, Section 202). - Not be enrolled in any degree-seeking program. - Not have previously received the WFF Housing Stability Grant. ### Artistic Eligibility - Be a practicing visual artist (painting, photography, printmaking/drawing/book arts, or sculpture) who is the creator of original work. - Demonstrate a sustained, public-facing art practice within eligible disciplines for at least the last seven years (2019–present), with at least one in-person showing. - Work-for-hire, mass-produced, or solely online/distributed work is not eligible. ### Housing Instability Eligibility Applicants must be experiencing or anticipating one or more of the following: - No lease or written agreement for current housing, or only a sublease with tenant of record. - Month-to-month or otherwise uncertain housing situation. - Paying more than 40% of income on rent (including utilities). - Notice of rent increase within the next six months that will push rent to 40% or more of income. - Need to leave current housing or facing increased costs due to partnership dissolution, safety concerns, or hazardous/unhealthy conditions. **Note:** Artists who are currently unhoused or in need of immediate assistance are not eligible; this program is for artists currently renting in NYC. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted online via [Submittable](https://apply.nyfa.org/submit/348143/2026-wff-housing-stability-grant-for-artists). - Required materials include: - Housing status checklist and brief statement of current housing situation. - Narrative responses about housing instability, creative practice, importance of NYC to practice, and impact of the grant. - Projected housing expenses and income for 2026. - Two most recent federal tax returns (2023/2024 or 2024/2025). - Asset estimate and documentation (if awarded). - Resume/bio/CV showing sustained artistic activity since 2019. - No work samples are required or considered. - Applications must be in English (translation or proxy allowed). - All applications are reviewed for eligibility and completeness, then scored by an external panel. Top scoring applications enter a lottery, and finalists participate in an interview to confirm eligibility. --- ## Additional Information - Only five grants are awarded per cycle; the program is highly competitive. - Recipients must maintain eligibility throughout the three-year grant period. - Grant funds may only be used for rent, utilities, and security deposits; mortgage payments and other expenses are ineligible. - Recipients will be required to provide documentation of expenses and assets annually. - Privacy of applicants and recipients is strictly maintained. - Information sessions and FAQs are available on the [program homepage](https://www.nyfa.org/awards-grants/wff-housing-stability-grant-for-artists/). --- ## External Links - [WFF Housing Stability Grant for Artists Program Page](https://www.nyfa.org/awards-grants/wff-housing-stability-grant-for-artists) - [Application Portal (Submittable)](https://apply.nyfa.org/submit/348143/2026-wff-housing-stability-grant-for-artists) - [Application Guidelines PDF](https://www.nyfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/PDF_2026-WFF-Housing-Stability-Grant-for-Artists-Guidelines-1.pdf) - [NYC Housing Resources Guide (PDF)](https://www.nyfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NYFA_Housing_Resources_NYC-2026.pdf) - [Entertainment Community Fund Information Portal](https://portal.entertainmentcommunity.org/information-resources/) - [NYFA Contact Page](https://www.nyfa.org/contact/) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Details | |---------------------------------|------------------------------------------| | General/Grants Inquiries | apply@nyfa.org
(212) 366-6900 ext. 252 | | Program Information | [Program Homepage](https://www.nyfa.org/awards-grants/wff-housing-stability-grant-for-artists/) | | Technical Support (Submittable) | [Submitter Help Center](https://www.submittable.com/help/submitter/) | For disability accommodations, contact apply@nyfa.org or (212) 366-6900 ext. 239 at least two weeks before the deadline.

WFF Housing Stability Grant for Artists

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