The Grants for Artists: Community/Artist Partnership program is designed to support visual artists in Oklahoma in their efforts to create public presentations, develop professional practices, and engage in community projects. The initiative is administered by the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC), which evaluates applications based on artistic merit and alignment with the program’s specific grant criteria. Artists working in visual-based media, curation, and art writing are eligible to apply. The grant provides financial assistance to individual artists, fostering creative excellence and strengthening the artistic landscape in Oklahoma.

This specific grant category, Community/Artist Partnership, provides funding of up to $1,500 for artists initiating community-based projects that lead to the creation of artwork. Applications are reviewed with a focus on the quality of the artist’s work, the project’s community impact, the strength of the concept, and the applicant’s ability to complete the proposed project. The review committee ensures that selected artists demonstrate a clear plan and artistic vision that align with the goals of the grant.

Eligible applicants must be at least 21 years old and must reside in Oklahoma. They cannot be currently enrolled in a BFA or MFA program and must not have received OVAC grant funding in the past year. These eligibility criteria ensure that the funds are directed toward working artists who are committed to their practice and to engaging with their communities through creative projects.

Applicants must submit a completed application form along with an artist resume or CV, a 250-word artist/writer/curator statement, and 10-15 artwork samples, including documentation of past work such as concept drawings, curatorial projects, or writing samples. Video samples should be between 3-5 minutes. A detailed artwork sample list, an optional but encouraged set of sketches or concept drawings, a balanced budget (where income matches expenses), a project timeline with key milestones, and secured or potential venues for presentation must also be included in the application package.

Applications are accepted twice per year, with deadlines on March 15th and October 15th at 11:59 PM. The review committee evaluates submissions following each deadline, and applicants are notified of the decision within four weeks. Accepted applicants will receive their grant payment approximately two weeks after notification and completion of necessary paperwork. Grant-funded projects must be executed within one year of receiving the funds.

For further inquiries regarding the application process or eligibility, interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to Ariana at ariana@ovac-ok.org.