Artist Growth and Development Grant

The Artist Growth and Development grant, administered by the North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA), is a funding opportunity aimed at supporting individual artists or collaborating artists residing in North Dakota. Designed to encourage the creation of new works, the program focuses on year-long projects or series that are intended to enhance or broaden an artist’s skills. The initiative is rooted in a rotating discipline schedule, and for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27), eligible disciplines include Dance and Theater, encompassing a wide array of roles such as choreographers, directors, playwrights, lighting and set designers, and more. The program awards two grants annually, each totaling $5,000. These grants are intended to provide artists with the means to pursue artistic growth through the creation of original artwork. A critical component of each funded proposal is the inclusion of a community engagement element. Applicants must include at least one public event—such as a performance, exhibition, workshop, or demonstration—as part of their project. NDCA strongly encourages additional events to increase visibility and foster meaningful interaction with North Dakota communities. The intent behind this requirement is to extend the reach of artistic work beyond the studio or rehearsal space and into public spheres where residents can engage directly with the arts. These events must take place within the geographic boundaries of North Dakota and cannot be part of a required academic curriculum or affiliated with fundraising efforts. The application process includes several components: an artistic statement, a resume, a detailed narrative that addresses the project concept and its outcomes, a timeline, and a community engagement plan. Applicants are also required to submit recent work samples that showcase artistic quality. Applications are submitted through the NDCA’s online grant system, which allows applicants to either type directly into the form or paste responses from external documents. Once submitted, applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility before being assessed by a panel using a points-based rubric. The four core evaluation criteria are: Quality of Work (30 points), Professional Achievement (15 points), Project Merit and Feasibility (35 points), and Potential Impact (20 points). A minimum average score of 60 is required to be considered for funding. The FY27 application deadline is Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST. Projects can commence no earlier than July 1, 2026, and must be concluded by June 15, 2027. Final reports documenting project activities and expenditures are due by June 30, 2027. Award notifications will be communicated via email and funds will be disbursed in full during August 2026, contingent upon the signing of the grant agreement. The grant is considered taxable income, and recipients are responsible for ensuring proper use and documentation of awarded funds. Notably, NDCA prohibits the use of grant funds for entertainment, travel outside the state, prizes, fundraising, or AI-generated content. Eligibility requirements include being a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, at least 18 years of age, and a legal resident of North Dakota since at least January 1, 2026. Applicants must not be enrolled in high school or higher education at the time of application and must not have received the same grant (formerly called the Individual Artist Fellowship) in the past ten years. Projects must be original in nature and not duplicative of past works. Furthermore, individuals currently out of compliance with any NDCA grant agreements are ineligible to apply. For application assistance or further inquiries, prospective applicants are advised to contact Brenna Lahren, the program officer, via email at [email protected] or by phone at 701-328-7590. Additional guidance, including application templates, budget instructions, and narrative guidelines, is available through the official NDCA website. The Artist Growth and Development grant is part of NDCA’s broader mission to support the growth and visibility of the arts throughout the state of North Dakota.

Align project plan with artistic growth and ensure community events are well defined with identified venues and audiences.