The Creative Youth Grants (CYGs) program, offered by the Arizona Commission on the Arts, supports young artists in Arizona, ages 12 to 17, as they develop new artistic skills or advance their existing practice outside of traditional school hours. The grant funds may be used for private lessons, attending workshops, or purchasing supplies and equipment that contribute to artistic development. The program is designed for and by young artists, ensuring that it meets the unique needs of youth in the arts.

Applicants can request between $250 and $500, based on their eligible expenses. The funding does not require any matching funds from recipients. The grant is intended to be flexible, allowing young artists to invest in learning opportunities that best suit their artistic growth. To be eligible, applicants must be residents of Arizona and fall within the 12-17 age range at the time of application.

The application deadline is March 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Applications consist of three main sections:

Application Narrative – Applicants describe themselves and explain how the grant will support their artistic development.
Work Sample Section – A submission of artistic work that demonstrates their skills and practice.
Budget Section – A detailed breakdown of how the grant funds will be used.
Once submitted, applications will be reviewed by members of the Arizona Youth Arts Council. The evaluation criteria include the Quality of Proposal (clarity and purpose of the artistic pursuit), Potential Impact (how the funds will benefit the applicant’s development), and Viability (appropriateness of expenses). Applicants will be notified of funding decisions in August 2025.

Grant recipients will receive funds by late summer 2025 and must spend the grant money by June 30, 2026 on eligible expenses. For any questions, applicants are encouraged to contact Elisa García-Radcliffe, Director of Arts Learning, via email at eradcliffe@azarts.gov.