Early-Career Artist Research & Development Grant

Early-Career Artist Research & Development Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Forecast Public Art
Amount: US $2,500
Last Updated: August 02, 2025

Summary

The Early-Career Artist Research & Development Grant supports Minnesota-based early-career artists engaged in public art research and development. This funding aims to amplify diverse artistic voices, particularly from BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and rural communities. Grants of $2,500 each can be used for activities like planning and community dialogues related to public art projects. Applicants must demonstrate originality and reside in Minnesota, ensuring all projects are freely accessible to the community.

Overview

Grant Intention: This grant supports public art research and development activities by Minnesota-based early-career artists. Forecast Equity Commitment Forecast seeks to fund a diverse group of artists working in all career stages and a range of public art practices and media. We place particular emphasis on supporting and amplifying the artistic work of BIPOC and Native artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, womxn artists, immigrant artists, artists from rural communities, and artists with disabilities. It is our value that our applicants, panelists, and grantees reflect the racial, cultural, and geographic diversity of our state, as well as the stories and perspectives of the artists and communities we serve. We know that there is no “one-size-fits-all” language when it comes to talking about race and identity and that this language is always evolving. If you relate to what we’ve described here, please apply! Overview This grant supports early-career artists in public art-related research and development, or with the planning phase of a freely accessible public art installation or activity in Minnesota. Activities could range from research to planning, community dialogues, site or budget development, or model building. R+D grants may be used for the development of proposals for other public or nonprofit agencies; however, they may not be used for private commissions. What is Public Art? Broadly speaking, public art is artwork in the public realm, regardless of whether it is situated on public or private property, or whether it is supported through public or private funding. It can range from temporary to permanent work, murals to sculptures, interventions, performances, storytelling, iron pours, sound and light projects, dance and spoken word. It is free and accessible to all members of a community. What is an Early-Career Artist? An early-career artist is considered as, “showing significant potential, yet…under recognized by their peers and arts professionals. Evidence of some professional achievement is expected but artists with an extensive record of accomplishment are not eligible.” These grants are not for artists early on in their public career, it is for artists of any discipline who are early in their career. If you are considered mid-career in your studio practice but have little public art experience, you would not qualify for the early-career grants, rather, you should apply for the mid-career grants. Forecast’s early-career artist grants are funded by the Jerome Foundation. Funding Four grants, $2,500 each

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Forecast’s grants support public art and public art-related activities. Forecast defines public art broadly to support a range of processes, formats, and contexts. Applicants must be in the appropriate career stage for the opportunity for which they apply – either mid-career or early-career.An artist may only apply for one grant from Forecast during an annual grant cycle. Applicants who apply during the summer for the Mid-Career Project Grant cannot apply for other grants in the fall of the same year. Fall applicants can only apply for 1 grant opportunity. Applicant must be a resident of Minnesota, having physically lived in the state for 12 of the past 24 months, and remain a resident throughout the project period. Applicant’s project must be original and not duplicate previous work.No ticket sales or fees may be charged; all events and installations must be freely accessible.Projects may be additionally supported by public or nonprofit agencies, or through in-kind sources, however, private commissions are not eligible.

Ineligibility

Forecast grants do not support remounts or reinstallations, projects that begin prior to the start of the grant year, or projects that are ongoing.Organizations and Forecast Public Art staff, Board, and Committee members are not eligible. Students in K-12 educational programs or enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are not eligible.An artist is not eligible to receive a project grant from Forecast in two consecutive years. An artist can receive a Research & Development grant in consecutive years, or a Research + Development or Professional Development grant followed by a Project Grant.Former grantees with outstanding final reports cannot be considered for additional Forecast grant funding until all final reports have been submitted and approved.