05/29/2026
The Investing in Artists: Tools & Equipment program will award grants of $1,000–$5,000 to individual craft artists to purchase artistic tools and equipment that support their ability to make object-based work. This program is open to individual craft artists, folk and traditional artists, and craftspeople in the United States and its Territories, with geographic eligibility rotating over the 2024–2026 funding cycle.*
Competitive applicants will present a clear request, demonstrate a sustained commitment to their discipline, and illustrate how funding will provide linchpin support – such as enabling the artist to get started in their field, meet demand, address safety requirements or other regulations, replace outdated or damaged equipment, or reach a higher standard of quality or craftsmanship. In other words, funding will support craft artists’ careers and their ability to make work. A total of $60,000 is available in the 2026 funding round.
Investing in Artists: Tools & Equipment is administered by the Center for Cultural Innovation ( ),a trusted intermediary focused on the economic security of individuals in the arts, with funding support provided by the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation.
*For the 2026 round of funding, craftspeople residing full-time in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, or Virginia are eligible to apply.
