SOLA (Support Old Lady Artists) Awards

The SOLA Awards (Support Old Lady Artists Awards) are annual unrestricted awards of $5,000 each, granted to ten Washington State-based, female-identified visual artists aged 60 and above. The program is intended to recognize and honor women artists who have dedicated at least 25 years of their lives to creating visual art but have not received adequate recognition for their lifetime contributions. Founded in 2016 by Seattle-based artist Ginny Ruffner, the award is part of a broader initiative to address historic inequities in arts funding and to support individuals in communities with limited access to financial resources for their artistic work. The awards are administered by Artist Trust, a nonprofit organization that supports individual artists across Washington State. The SOLA Awards emphasize inclusivity and equity in the visual arts sector. One of the ten awards is specifically reserved for a BIPOC artist—defined as an individual identifying as Alaskan Native, Asian/Asian American/Pacific Islander or Hawaiian, Black/African/African American, Latinx, Middle Eastern, Native American or Indigenous, or South Asian. This targeted funding seeks to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and acknowledges the systemic challenges that BIPOC artists have historically faced in gaining visibility and support. Artist Trust has embedded a racial equity framework in the selection process, requesting panelists to prioritize artists from underrepresented demographics, including rural residents and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Applicants must be female-identified visual artists, 60 years of age or older by March 23, 2026, and residents of Washington State at the time of application and funding. Additionally, applicants must have a minimum of 25 years dedicated to the practice of visual arts. The program does not accept applications from students currently enrolled in a degree program, recipients of other Artist Trust grants in 2026, organizations, or current affiliates of Artist Trust such as staff, board members, or contractors. Importantly, individuals who have already received the SOLA or Twining Humber Award may not reapply for the same grant. The application period for the 2026 SOLA Awards runs from February 23 to March 23, with the final deadline set at 11:59 PM on March 23, 2026. All applications must be submitted through Submittable, an online submission platform. Applicants are encouraged to begin the process early to avoid last-minute technical issues, as late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances. Artist Trust provides a variety of support resources including a How to Apply webinar, virtual info sessions, and open office hours to help applicants navigate the process. Additional resources include a Reference Guide with examples of successful past applications. The selection process involves a panel of three visual artists or arts professionals from across Washington State, chosen for their expertise and diversity. Panelists conduct an in-depth review of the submissions over several weeks and apply the award’s stated criteria: artistic excellence, professional background, and sustained dedication to their artistic practice. The selection process takes place virtually via Zoom and incorporates a strong racial equity lens. After this, the highest-scoring applicants are reviewed in a final meeting, and ten awardees are selected. Notifications of award status will be issued in May, followed by a public announcement in June. For further inquiries, applicants are directed to contact Program Director Lydia Boss at [email protected]. Artist Trust emphasizes its reliance on community donors and stakeholders to sustain programs like the SOLA Awards and invites public support to ensure ongoing equity in arts funding across Washington State.

Panelists prioritize racial equity and artistic excellence; follow sample limits and avoid promotional materials.