WaveMaker Grants, administered by Locust Projects, is an annual grant program designed to support Miami-based artists in creating and presenting innovative projects across Miami neighborhoods. The program provides financial assistance to artists exploring experimental and risk-taking work in unconventional public spaces. Since its inception in 2015, WaveMaker has awarded a total of $630,000 to 125 artists, empowering them to pursue new ideas and engage with the local community. The grants are made possible through the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts' Regional Regranting Program, which collaborates with 35 regranting partners nationwide to distribute funds for independent, artist-centered projects.

WaveMaker Grants offer funding of up to $6,000 per recipient across three categories: New Work / Projects, Long-Haul Projects, and Research & Development + Implementation. These categories allow artists to create new work, sustain long-term projects, and develop or refine artistic research with public engagement as a key component. The grants encourage artistic experimentation and innovation while prioritizing accessibility and inclusion for Miami-Dade County artists.

The program is open to visual artists, curators, cultural organizers, collectives, and collaborators residing in Miami-Dade County. Applicants from various artistic disciplines, including film, performance, dance, and music, are welcome as long as visual art remains the primary component of the project. Those who have received a WaveMaker Grant within the past five years are ineligible to apply unless they are current Research & Development recipients. Nonprofit organizations and LLCs established for commercial enterprises are not eligible.

The application process for the 2025 WaveMaker Grants is currently open, with a submission deadline of April 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM. There is no application fee, and Locust Projects is committed to ensuring accessibility for all applicants. Interested individuals are encouraged to review full details at www.wavemakergrants.org. Additionally, a virtual information session will be held on March 17, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM via Zoom to guide prospective applicants through the process.

Projects funded through the WaveMaker Grants must commence after September 1, 2025. Applications will be evaluated based on artistic merit, innovation, public engagement, and alignment with the mission of Locust Projects. Final award decisions are expected to be announced following the submission deadline. For any questions or accommodations needed during the application process, applicants may contact digital@locustprojects.org.

The WaveMaker Grants initiative is part of a broader national effort by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts to support artist-driven experimental work outside the scope of traditional funding mechanisms. This regranting network spans cities across the U.S., enabling independent art centers to administer grants that foster creative growth and public engagement. Locust Projects, which has managed WaveMaker Grants since 2017, continues to serve as a key resource for Miami artists seeking funding to bring their visionary ideas to life.