WFF Housing Stability Grant for Artists in New York

The Woodman Family Foundation Housing Stability Grant for Artists (WFF HSG) is a new grant program aimed at addressing the increasing unaffordability of rental housing for artists in New York City. The program seeks to provide financial assistance to visual artists experiencing housing instability by offering a $30,000 grant distributed over three years. The intent of the grant is to help recipients secure stable and sustainable housing, allowing them to focus on their creative practice without the burden of housing insecurity. The grant is administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), and in its inaugural 2025 cycle, five artists will be awarded funding.

The grant is exclusively available to visual artists residing in New York City’s five boroughs (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island). Applicants must have lived in NYC for at least the last five years and must maintain their residency throughout the three-year grant term. Eligible artists must meet financial requirements, including an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or lower for individuals ($150,000 for joint filers) and household assets not exceeding $108,710 ($155,300 for joint filers). Applicants must not currently own a home, receive rental assistance, or be enrolled in a degree-seeking program. The grant is specifically intended for visual artists working in painting, photography, printmaking, drawing, book arts, and sculpture, who can demonstrate a commitment of at least seven years to their artistic practice.

Applicants must also meet specific emergency eligibility criteria. This includes experiencing housing instability due to lack of a lease, an uncertain rental situation, paying more than 40% of income in rent, an expected rent increase that will exceed 40% of income, or an urgent need to relocate due to safety concerns or hazardous living conditions. However, unhoused artists are not eligible for this grant. Instead, applicants in such situations are encouraged to seek assistance through Entertainment Community Fund housing resources.

The application process requires an online submission through NYFA’s application portal, with a deadline of Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET. Required materials include a Housing Status Checklist, income verification documents (tax returns), asset documentation, and a resume demonstrating artistic practice. Applicants must also provide short written statements detailing their housing situation, their need for the grant, and how improved housing stability would impact their creative work. The application process is designed to be accessible, with options for translated submissions and proxy assistance.

The review process involves two phases: an initial eligibility and completeness check by NYFA staff, followed by an external panel assessment based on financial need. Given the high expected demand, finalists will be selected through a lottery process. The selection is not based on artistic merit but rather on demonstrated housing and financial need. Award notifications will be sent out in summer 2025.

Grant recipients will receive their funds in three annual installments: $12,000 in year one, $10,000 in year two, and $8,000 in year three. These funds must be used specifically for rent, security deposits, or utilities within NYC. Recipients must maintain eligibility throughout the grant term, providing documentation as required. The grant cannot be used for mortgage payments, HOA fees, or expenses incurred outside the eligibility period.

For additional details, prospective applicants can visit the NYFA website or contact the grant administrators at emergencyfunds@nyfa.org or 212-366-6900 ext. 239. The Woodman Family Foundation, the funder behind the grant, is dedicated to supporting artists’ housing stability, in honor of the artistic legacies of Betty, George, and Francesca Woodman, who were longtime NYC-based visual artists. This initiative aims to help contemporary artists continue their work without the barrier of housing insecurity.