Feeling creatively unhinged but also somehow exhausted? Same. If you’ve already scrolled through our 2025 Artist Trend Forecast but still want a challenge or just a way to connect with humans who “get it,” this list might be exactly what you need in our list of Artist Residencies and grants for 2025.
Whether you’re craving a month alone in a studio with nothing but snacks and your weirdest ideas, or you’re just hoping someone (anyone!) will fund your next big art moment, this roundup’s got you covered.
We’ve scoured the internet for real-deal artist opportunities that don’t require a 12-page essay, three letters of recommendation, and your entire soul. Check out these Artist residencies, open calls, grants, and even Artist Alleys through 2025.
Note: We’re not affiliated with any of these folks. We just want to make sure you know what’s out there. Always read the fine print before applying.
JUNE
Chiaro Award – $15,000 Residency for Painters
Calling all mid-career painters in the U.S.! The Chiaro Award offers a fully sponsored residency at Headlands Center for the Arts, complete with a private studio and a $15,000 prize. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in a vibrant community of creatives and elevate your practice.
Deadline: June 5, 2025
Apply: Headlands Center for the Arts
Prospect Art: In Flux – $1,000 New Work Commission
Explore the liminal spaces between analog and digital, physical and virtual in this open call. Prospect Art invites visual artists worldwide to submit conceptually driven projects for a chance to receive a $1,000 commission and feature in their ONE WORK online publication series.
Deadline: June 15, 2025
Apply: Prospect Art Open Call
Women’s Studio Workshop – Studio Workspace Residency
Immerse yourself in a supportive environment at the Women’s Studio Workshop in Rosendale, NY. This residency offers artists at any career stage the opportunity to create new work in studios equipped for intaglio, letterpress, papermaking, screenprinting, darkroom photography, or ceramics.
Deadline: June 15, 2025
Apply: Women’s Studio Workshop
The Hopper Prize – Call for Entries
Need a little extra cash to fuel your next creative burst? The Hopper Prize is offering two $3,500 grants and four $1,000 grants to visual artists working in any media. International artists welcome. Bonus: Winners are featured in their online journal Insights Into Contemporary Art and shared on their Instagram to 70k+ art lovers.
Deadline: June 18, 2025
Apply: Hopper Prize
JULY
Grand Canyon Artist-in-Residence – Arizona, USA
Create art with a view like no other – perched above the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This residency offers a private 1,100-square-foot apartment, a $750 weekly stipend, and an unparalleled natural backdrop to inspire your work.
Deadline: July 15, 2025
Apply: Grand Canyon Artist-in-Residence
Ucross Foundation Residency – Wyoming, USA
Escape to the serene High Plains of Wyoming for a 2- to 6-week residency. Ucross provides housing, studio space, and a $1,500 stipend to support your creative endeavors in a peaceful, rural setting.
Deadline: July 15, 2025
Apply: Ucross Foundation Residency
AUGUST
Innovate Grants – Visual Arts + Photography
Innovate Grant offers two $550 awards to one visual artist and one photographer every quarter. Open to international artists with no application fee stress. Bonus: They keep it simple – just your work and your voice.
Deadline: August 20, 2025
Apply: Innovate Grant
SEPTEMBER
Jentel Artist Residency – Wyoming, USA
Spend a month in scenic Sheridan, Wyoming, with time to create, reflect, and reset. This residency includes a private studio, housing, and a $300 stipend. Open to visual artists and writers.
Deadline: September 15, 2025
Apply: Jentel Arts Residency | winter/spring session
OCTOBER
W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund Grant – International (Photography)
Photojournalists and documentary photographers: this grant supports deep, compassionate visual storytelling. One artist will receive $30,000, with two additional finalists awarded $10,000 each.
Deadline: October 7, 2025
Apply: Smith Fund Grant
Earth Partner Prize – International (Ages 14–30)
Got work that speaks to climate, community, or the changing planet? The Earth Partner Prize offers up to $10,000 for emerging artists in visual art, film, poetry, and performance. Eight winners will receive funding and a global platform – plus, 20 honorable mentions will be featured too.
Deadline: October 10, 2025
Apply: Earth Partner Prize
Center for Craft: Craft Research Fund Grant – USA
Research-minded makers, this one’s for you. This grant supports new scholarship and writing that advances craft practice and theory. Awards range from $5,000 to $15,000, making this a powerful opportunity for artists who blend making with meaning.
Deadline: October 17, 2025
Apply: Craft Research Fund Grant
DECEMBER
UMOCA Artist-in-Residence – Utah, USA
Utah-based artists: apply for a year-long studio residency at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art. Includes public programming, critiques, and a chance to engage with local art lovers. No stipend or housing provided – ideal for artists based in Salt Lake City.
Deadline: December 31, 2025
Apply: UMOCA Residency
ROLLING OR ANNUAL DATES TO WATCH
Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA) – Virginia, USA + France
A peaceful, supportive retreat for writers, visual artists, and composers. VCCA residencies offer private studio space, meals, and flexible stays in Virginia or at Le Moulin à Nef in Auvillar, France.
Deadline: Rolling throughout the year
Apply: VCCA Residency
Surel’s Place Residency – Idaho, USA
A peaceful, month-long artist residency in Garden City, Idaho, in a cozy home built by artist Surel Mitchell. Offers live/work accommodations, a $100/week stipend, and time to focus with minimal distraction. Includes open studio and optional community engagement.
Deadline: Rolling, with year-round applications encouraged
Apply: Surel’s Place Residency
Creative Capital Awards – USA (All Disciplines)
This is one of the big ones. Creative Capital awards up to $50,000 in project funding, plus career development services and retreat invitations. It’s open to artists working across all disciplines – visual, performance, film, literature, you name it.
Deadline: Annual cycle (next open call expected mid-2026)
Learn more: Creative Capital
Beyond Grants: Artist Alleys & Cons Worth Applying To
Not every opportunity comes with a grant. Some come with stickers, cosplay, and fiercely loyal fans. These events offer prime access to buyers and fans, and Artist Alley spots often require applications—so keep those portfolios and bios handy. Here’s a vetted global list worth bookmarking. Events listed are confirmed for 2025 where available, with application timing noted when public.
January
- Setsucon (PA): Mid‑size anime con, January 31–February 2, 2025. Artist Alley apps expected to open July 2025.
February
- Katsucon (National Harbor, MD): Anime/manga-focused, includes an art-friendly alley. Dates confirmed: Feb 14–16, 2025.
March
- Emerald City Comic Con (Seattle, WA): Curated Alley space known for quality and community. Dates: Mar 13–16, 2025.
April
- MOCCA Arts Festival (NY): Independent comic and storytelling showcase (dates pending).
May
- Calgary Expo (Canada): Welcoming, well-organized Artist Alley. Expected dates: May 1–4, 2025.
June
- CatCon (Pasadena, CA): Cat-themed art con with great foot traffic and applications open to artists. Dates TBD.
July
- San Diego Comic‑Con (CA): July 24–27, 2025. Curated Artist Alley, application opens early in the year.
- AVCon (Adelaide): Major anime and video game con with thriving Artist Alley. Usually mid-late July.
- FAN EXPO Denver (CO): July 3–6, 2025. Multi‑genre expo with Artist Valley (~110,000+ attendees).
August
- Fan Expo Canada (Toronto): Major pop culture event with strong Artist Alley. Expected Aug 21–24, 2025.
September
- Fan Expo (multiple cities): Pop‑culture cons with solid artist support. Check city-specific dates.
October
- New York Comic‑Con (NY): Massive pop culture show. Oct 9–12, 2025. Artist Alley apps expected mid-2025.
- Comic Con Liverpool (UK): Artist-focused zone and great fan crowd. Dates: Oct 11–12, 2025.
- Comic Con Scotland (Edinburgh): Fast-growing con with dedicated Artist Alley. Dates: Oct 5–6, 2025.
November
- Anime NYC (NY): Large anime convention with designated Artist Alley. Expected Nov 14–16, 2025.
December
- Oz Comic-Con (Brisbane): Pop culture event with Alley. Specific December dates vary.
Ongoing / Dates Vary
- C2E2 (Chicago, IL): One of the largest Artist Alleys in the U.S. Usually held in spring—2025 dates TBD.
- Anime Expo (Los Angeles, CA): Held in July. Artist Alley via lottery; apps open in early spring.
- Anime Matsuri (Houston, TX): Held late summer. Alley options for anime and fan artists.
- Small Press Expo (Bethesda, MD): Focused on indie comics. Dates usually fall in September.
- LightBox Expo (Pasadena, CA): Animation and concept art-focused. Typically September; apps open mid-year.
- MCM Comic Con (London, Birmingham, Manchester): UK’s largest convention circuit. Multiple dates per city.
- Hal-Con (Halifax): Regional con with Artist Alley. Usually late October or early November.
- Pure Speculation Festival (Edmonton): Sci-fi/fantasy con supporting indie creators. Usually November.
- VCON (Vancouver): Sci-fi and fantasy focused. Dates vary each year.
Pro Tips:
• Applications often open 6–9 months before the event—bookmark their sites and set reminders.
• Have your artist bio, sample work, and display-ready merch lined up early.
• Even smaller or regional cons can bring great exposure and new fans. Don’t overlook them.