Current Art Fund Grant

The Current Art Fund, administered by Tri-Star Arts and supported by the Andy Warhol Foundation, grants $60,000 annually to Tennessee-based visual artists aged 21 and older. The program promotes innovative public-facing projects that enhance the contemporary art dialogue in Tennessee. In 2025, grants of $7,500 will be awarded to eight selected artists and collectives, encouraging diverse artistic engagement and community impact, while prioritizing BIPOC and AAPI applicants.

Grant Description
The Current Art Fund granting program is organized and administered by Tri-Star Arts as a partner in the Regional Regranting Program of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
The Current Art Fund seeks to support visual artists and artist collectives in creating independent, non-traditional, public-facing projects that contribute to the rich dialogue within contemporary visual art scenes across the state of Tennessee.
The fund annually disburses grants totaling $60,000 to Tennessee-based artists 21 years of age and older in support of project expenses.
The Current Art Fund program tangibly illustrates the Tri-Star Arts mission of cultivating and spotlighting contemporary visual art in Tennessee, championing innovation within our local art communities, and supporting artists across the state.
2025 Project-Based Grants
Our 2025 granting cycle will award project-based grants to fund artists’ innovative contributions to the visual arts conversation in Tennessee.
The Current Art Fund will distribute grants of $7,500 each to 8 Tennessee-based contemporary visual artists and artist collectives, selected by a 4 person jury panel, to use towards the realization of a dynamic and accessible project.
Project proposals should endeavor to be innovative and expand the possibilities of how the applicant’s work can engage audiences in Tennessee and the contemporary art world beyond. Applicants should consider what visual and social impact their project could have upon local communities, and how it could expand how viewers experience their surroundings or circumstances. Furthermore, applicants are invited to consider infusing their project’s vision with an expansive scope that invites collaborators and/or persons with additional skill sets into the process (to be reflected in the description of the project and budget).

Eligibility

Contemporary visual artists who are 21 years of age and older and residing in the state of Tennessee are eligible to apply. Applicants must provide proof of TN residency. Applicants may submit projects featuring 2-D, 3-D, and 4-D work (or a combination).Project proposals must be submitted by one individual and, if the proposal comes from a Tennessee-based artist collective, the individual submitting the application must be the project’s point person, designated to receive all communications and funding distribution.If individuals are part of multiple Tennessee-based artist collectives, they may be named (or be the point person) in submissions by multiple Tennessee-based artist collectives, as long as all projects are distinctly different from one another.Yes, prior year grantees may apply if they have taken a gap year off from applying. For example, a 2023 grantee may apply in 2025.The award should be used to achieve all enumerated project goals as outlined in the applicant’s proposed budget. The budget categories are materials, fabrication, media, photo and video documentation, artist labor or compensation, contracted labor, transportation, advertising, other services, and other expenses. It is not necessary to address every category in your project proposal - only what is applicable to the project.Yes, we expect you to pay the people involved in your project, including yourself, for their contributions. Applicants can purchase equipment with grant funds as long as the equipment is necessary for the development of your project.

Ineligibility

No, applicants may not submit multiple individual projects.We cannot accept projects that have already begun or are currently in process. We cannot accept already finished projects that are seeking reimbursement.Curators may not apply.Current Art Fund grants are intended for artists to support their own practices/ studio work.