Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grants

Overview

Emergency Grants provide urgent, project-based funding to visual and performing artists and poets with sudden, unanticipated opportunities to present their work or unexpected expenses for projects close to completion with committed exhibition or performance dates. This year-round, multi-disciplinary program serves artists living and working anywhere in the United States, for projects occurring in the U.S. and abroad.

Award Amount

• $500 to $3,000 per grant (applicants may request any amount in that range and may receive full or partial funding)
• Average grant is currently $2,200
• Approximately 15-20 grants awarded each month

Eligibility

• Must be living in the United States or U.S. territories with a U.S. Tax ID Number (SSN, EIN, ITIN, or other)
• Must be an individual artist or individual representing an artist collective, ensemble, or group
• Cannot be a curator, producer, workshop organizer, organization, or arts presenter
• Not enrolled in any degree-granting program or school (high school, undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral)
• Work must be experimental and align with FCA's mission to support contemporary, experimental work
• Must have committed performance or exhibition opportunities with specific dates at time of application

Project Requirements

• Work-in-progress or informal showings are not eligible
• Projects invited and presented by commercial galleries or art fairs are not eligible
• Youth or educational programming is not eligible
• Professional trainings, workshops, lectures, symposiums, conferences, or competitions are not eligible
• Production/publishing of CDs, albums, music videos, or books is not eligible

Eligible Expenses

• Artists' fees
• Airfare
• Accommodations
• Materials
• Shipping/transport
• Fabrication
• Production

Ineligible Expenses

• Non-project-related life expenses (food, rent, medical bills, childcare, etc.)
• Expenses paid prior to submitting the application
• Fees for participation or living expenses in residency or educational programs
• Deposits and registration fees for participation in exhibitions, fairs, or other presentation opportunities
• Exhibition fees or other charges requiring artist payment to participate

Application Timeline

• Artists should apply 8-10 weeks (no earlier than 10 weeks) before their project's public presentation date
• Applications received within shorter timelines will be reviewed, but applications less than 6 weeks in advance may not receive a decision until the project is underway
• Three-year (36-month) wait period required after receiving an Emergency Grant, Creative Research Grant, or Grants to Artists award before reapplying
• Relief grants (COVID-19 Fund, COVID-19 Bridge Fund, LA Fire Relief grants, Cancellation Funds) do not affect eligibility
• No mandatory wait period if emergency is due to federal funding cuts

Application Materials

Review all guidelines and FAQs before applying and watch the recorded information session. FCA reviews work samples, project description, explanation of experimental nature, venue history, and artist community context to determine alignment with FCA's mission of supporting experimental practices.