• The next grant timeline will be announced in summer 2026.

To be considered for this grant, the applicant must meet all of the following requirements:

• U.S. citizens, individuals lawfully admitted to the US for permanent residence, or individuals who have permission from the Department of Homeland Security to work permanently in the US. Documentation is required.

• Residents of Shelby County, TN for at least three years prior to the application deadline. Documentation is required.

• Grant recipients are expected to remain a resident of Shelby County for minimally six months following execution of a grant contract.  If a grant recipient relocates before six months have passed, partial grant repayment may be required.

• The artist is 21 years or older. Documentation is required.

• The artist has not received an ARTSassist grant award, ArtsAccelerator grant award or Emmett Award within the past five (5) years (since July 2020).

• Individuals must be considered a Professional Artist for minimally three years. Individuals are at the professional level if they:

  • Consider their artistic endeavors as a career.

  • Make significant time investment in their artistic disciplines through practice, performance and production.

  • Have created and presented their own original works to the public or performed for the public within the past three years.

Eligible Artistic Disciplines

• Dance: Including Choreography or Solo Dance, all genres

• Visual Arts: Two- and Three-Dimensional Fine Artwork

• Film: Including screen-based projects presented via film, television, video, and the Internet. Directors only, not open to actors or screenwriters.

The following individuals are not eligible:

• Individuals currently enrolled as a full-time student or planning to enroll in a full-time degree-seeking program for their artistic practice in the next 12 months.

Grant Recipients

• Required Documentation

  • Artists awarded an ARTSassist Grant are required to provide ARTSmemphis with one or more of the following before receiving grant funds:

    • Signed W9 with Social Security Number or EIN (for payment purposes).

    • Proof of residency for at least three (3) years in Memphis, TN or Shelby County, TN. The following are examples of acceptable forms for proof of residency:

      • Driver’s License or State ID.

      • Signed and dated tax forms.

      • Personal Property tax receipt.

      • Lease agreement signed by the applicant and landlord, with the landlord’s contact info.

      • One (1) utility bill that shows address and applicant’s name on the bill (EX: MGLW etc.).

      • Other documentation as discussed with ARTSmemphis staff.

  • Provide a short bio (100 words maximum) and head shot or photo of yourself producing/performing your art for ARTSmemphis to use in grant announcements, promotion, and fundraising.

  • Provide links to your professional social media accounts, if applicable. 

• Reciprocal Recognition

  • Artists awarded an ARTSassist Grant are encouraged to recognize ARTSmemphis support in the 12 months following the award of the grant. 

  • Artists will be asked to participate in a coordinated grant announcement via social media and a toolkit with instructions will be provided. Participation in other social media campaigns over the 12-month period following the award may be requested.

  • Verbal or printed acknowledgement of ARTSmemphis support at an event in which the artist’s work is featured is appreciated.

  • Filmmakers will receive text and logos for inclusion in closing credits of completed project(s).

  • ARTSmemphis expects to coordinate an exhibition and/or showcase of ARTSassist grant recipients work and artists are encouraged to participate.

General Guidelines

• Grant award decisions are competitive, and awards are based on an artist’s documentation of work and in alignment with the stated criteria.

• Submission of an application for funding does not guarantee that funding will be awarded.

• Artist collectives/collaborations/teams are welcome to apply. If your collaborative is awarded a $5,000 grant, one person will be provided with the grant funds.

• Grants are intended to support an artist’s career, not an arts organization.

Review Process

There are two primary steps in the review process:

1. Reviewed by ARTSmemphis staff and Artist Advisory Committee (AAC) for eligibility.

2. Reviewed by a three-person jury. Jurors are selected by AAC members.  One jury per artistic discipline.

   • Jurors will be selected by members of ARTSmemphis’ Artist Advisory Committee and will be professionals from outside of Memphis to ensure no bias in the review process.

   • Each three-person jury will rate the assigned applications based on the evaluation criteria and will identify the top scoring applicants in each discipline. Attention will be given to applicants’ demographics to ensure a diverse range of top applicants, in terms of gender, ethnicity, and career stage.

Criteria for Evaluation

ARTSmemphis aims for grant recipients to be representative of our community and for grants to be awarded proportionately to the number of applicants in each discipline and according to artist career stage.

1st Review – Staff & AAC:

• Ensure each application is complete, competitive, and that the applicant is eligible.

• History of creating art and presenting to the public

  •   Evidence of active engagement in creating artwork and presenting it to the public for minimally three years.

2nd Review – Jurors:

• Career Impact – 15 point

  • Will this grant have the potential for a substantial impact on the career development and capacity of the artist?

  • Did the artist provide evidence that the grant would advance their vision, practice, and artistic accomplishments?

• Artistic Merit – 15 points

  • Do the work samples show originality and vision of the work?

  • Do the work samples show technical skill and mastery of the artistic discipline or potential for mastery?

  • Do the work samples show innovative technique or process used to create the work?

Evaluation will also include a section for recommendations from the panelist to the applicant. If an applicant would like to request feedback on their application after the decisions are announced, they can contact Nur Abdalla, nabdalla@artsmemphis.org.

Application

To Apply, please visit the ARTSmemphis Grant Platform.

Application Questions:

• Describe the current nature of your work. (300 words maximum)

• If awarded a grant, how will the money be used?  Describe how grant funding would impact your career / artistic practice? (300 words maximum)

For this application, you may provide information through one of three formats:

• Written Responses

• Audio or Video.  You may provide a link to an audio or video file of your responses for each question.  Please ensure that all links are not password protected.

• Interview with ARTSmemphis staff.  We will record a Zoom meeting and link that recording in the application.

Required Attachments

• Artist Resume:

  • This document should include a current listing of your exhibition record, grants, awards, residencies and other professional activities, including dates and locations.

  • If applying for the ARTSassist Grant as a collaborative group, each artist is required to submit a resume, or documentation of artistic accomplishment.  Compile this information into one file.

  • This document should not exceed 2 pages.

• Website or Social Media

  • An expectation of artists working at a professional level is that they have a digital presence to present and promote their work.

• Work Samples

  • Work Samples must be recent works that have been created in the past three years.

  • Images: Images of 10 works, submitted in PDF format, 1 work per page.  It is recommended that you include work details (title, year, medium, size) on the PDF page with the image.

  • If you are providing work samples of commissioned works/pieces no more than 3 of your work samples should be commissioned work.

General Guidelines

• Grant award decisions are competitive, and awards are based on an artist’s documentation of work and in alignment with the stated criteria.

• Submission of an application for funding does not guarantee that funding will be awarded.

• Artist collectives/collaborations/teams are welcome to apply. If your collaborative is awarded a $5,000 grant, one person will be provided with the grant funds.

• Grants are intended to support an artist’s career, not an arts organization.

Review Process

There are two primary steps in the review process:

• Reviewed by ARTSmemphis staff and Artist Advisory Committee (AAC) for eligibility.

• Reviewed by a three-person jury.  Jurors are selected by AAC members.  One jury per artistic discipline.

  • Jurors will be selected by members of ARTSmemphis’ Artist Advisory Committee and will be professionals from outside of Memphis to ensure no bias in the review process.

  • Each three-person jury will rate the assigned applications based on the evaluation criteria and will identify the top scoring applicants in each discipline.  Attention will be given to applicants’ demographics to ensure a diverse range of top applicants, in terms of gender, ethnicity, and career stage.

Criteria for Evaluation

ARTSmemphis aims for grant recipients to be representative of our community and for grants to be awarded proportionately to the number of applicants in each discipline and according to artist career stage.

1st Review – Staff & AAC:

• Ensure each application is complete, competitive, and that the applicant is eligible.

• History of creating art and presenting to the public

  • Evidence of active engagement in creating artwork and presenting it to the public for minimally three years.

2nd Review – Jurors:

• Career Impact – 15 points

  • Will this grant have the potential for a substantial impact on the career development and capacity of the artist?

  • Did the artist provide evidence that the grant would advance their vision, practice, and artistic accomplishments?

• Artistic Merit – 15 points

  • Do the work samples show originality and vision of the work?

  • Do the work samples show technical skill and mastery of the artistic discipline or potential for mastery?

  • Do the work samples show innovative technique or process used to create the work?

Evaluation will also include a section for recommendations from the panelist to the applicant. If an applicant would like to request feedback on their application after the decisions are announced, they can contact Nur Abdalla, nabdalla@artsmemphis.org.

Application

To Apply, please visit the ARTSmemphis Grant Platform.

Application Questions:

• Describe the current nature of your work. (300 words maximum)

• If awarded a grant, how will the money be used? Describe how grant funding would impact your career / artistic practice? (300 words maximum)

For this application, you may provide information through one of three formats:

• Written Responses

• Audio or Video.  You may provide a link to an audio or video file of your responses for each question. Please ensure that all links are not password protected.

• Interview with ARTSmemphis staff. We will record a Zoom meeting and link that recording in the application.

Required Attachments

• Artist Resume:

  • This document should include a current listing of your performance record, grants, awards, residencies and other professional activities, including dates and locations.

  • If applying for the ARTSassist Grant as a collaborative group, each artist is required to submit a resume, or documentation of artistic accomplishment.  Compile this information into one file.

  • This document should not exceed 2 pages.

• Website or Social Media

  • An expectation of artists working at a professional level is that they have a digital presence to present and promote their work.

• Work Samples

  • Work samples must be recent works that have been created/performed in the past three years.

  • Links to at least 3 but no more than 5 works, with a total combined run time of 15 minutes maximum, with no password protection.

  • If you are providing work samples of commissioned works/pieces no more than 1 of your work samples should be commissioned work.

Grants for Filmmakers are generously supported by Mark Goshorn Jones.

General Guidelines

• Grant award decisions are competitive, and awards are based on an artist’s documentation of work and in alignment with the stated criteria.

• Submission of an application for funding does not guarantee that funding will be awarded.

• Artist collectives/collaborations/teams are welcome to apply. If your collaborative is awarded a $5,000 grant, one person will be provided with the grant funds.

• Grants are intended to support an artist’s career, not an arts organization.

Film Specific

This program will support short film projects awarding grants of $5,000 each. For this grant, a short film is defined as under 30 minutes run time.

• Production Grant: For short films that have not yet begun principal photography.

• Post‑Production Grant: For short films that have completed principal photography and are entering the post-production, outreach, and distribution phase.

• Filmmaker applicants must affirm agreement with the following Safety and Labor practices:

  • Production will not exceed 2-3 shooting days.

  • Shooting days will not exceed 12 hours for all cast & crew. This includes load-in and load-out.

  • A respectable amount of the grant money will go towards paying your cast/crew.

    • Meals, snacks, and beverages will be provided on set for each day of production.

    • Safety specialists will be on-set for any scenes that require the use of guns, knives, or weapons.

• Submission Guidelines for Production Grants

  • Most film categories and genres are welcome to submit. Narrative, Documentary, Animation, Experimental.  Music Videos are not eligible.

  • All filming must take place within Shelby County.

  • Submissions that do not require additional fundraising beyond the amount given by this grant are strongly recommended. If there are already additional funds in place, that is acceptable.

  • Grant recipients must have principal photography completed before September 30th, 2026. The film must be completed within one year of the grant award.

  • Completed films should aim to be no longer than 15 minutes. Submissions need to consider the amount being awarded and what can realistically be achieved at this budget level.

• Submission Guidelines for Post-Production Grant:

  • Most film categories and genres are welcome to submit. Narrative, Documentary, Animation, Experimental.  Music Videos are not eligible.

  • The Post-Production Grant can be for short films that have already completed principal photography.

  • Grant funds can go towards any post-production services including editing, color grading, sound, music, marketing, and distribution.

  • All filming must have taken place within Shelby County.

  • Grant recipient must have principal photography completed before the grant application deadline. All post-production must be completed before September 30th, 2026.

Review Process

There are two primary steps in the review process:

1. Reviewed by ARTSmemphis staff and Artist Advisory Committee (AAC) for eligibility.

2. Reviewed by a three-person jury.  Jurors are selected by AAC members.  One jury per artistic discipline.

   • Jurors will be selected by members of ARTSmemphis’ Artist Advisory Committee and will be professionals from outside of Memphis to ensure no bias in the review process.

   • Each three-person jury will rate the assigned applications based on the evaluation criteria and will identify the top scoring applicants in each discipline.  Attention will be given to applicants’ demographics to ensure a diverse range of top applicants, in terms of gender, ethnicity, and career stage.

Criteria for Evaluation

ARTSmemphis aims for grant recipients to be representative of our community and for grants to be awarded proportionately to the number of applicants in each discipline and according to artist career stage.

1st Review – Staff & AAC:

• Ensure each application is complete, competitive, and that the applicant is eligible.

• History of Creating Art and Presenting to the Public

  • Evidence of active engagement in creating artwork and presenting it to the public for minimally three years.

2nd Review – Jurors:

• Career Impact – 15 points

  • Will this grant have the potential for a substantial impact on the career development and capacity of the artist?

  • Did the artist provide evidence that the grant would advance their vision, practice, and artistic accomplishments?

  • Film: Does the application content demonstrate the ability and likelihood to complete the project within 12 months? Is the proposed project feasible based on the amount of funding provided?

• Artistic Merit – 15 points

  • Do the work samples show originality and vision of the work?

  • Do the work samples show technical skill and mastery of the artistic discipline or potential for mastery?

  • Do the work samples show innovative technique or process used to create the work?

Evaluation will also include a section for recommendations from the panelist to the applicant. If an applicant would like to request feedback on their application after the decisions are announced, they can contact Nur Abdalla, nabdalla@artsmemphis.org.

Application

To Apply, please visit the ARTSmemphis Grant Platform.

Application Questions:

• Describe the current nature of your work. (300 words maximum)

• If awarded a grant, how will the money be used? Describe how grant funding would impact your career / artistic practice. (300 words maximum)

Film Project Questions:

• All applicants will submit the following details about their project.

  • Title, Logline, Synopsis, Theme, Artistic Alignment, Grant Impact, Timeline, Distribution Plan

• Production Grant application will require a script, budget, and list of cast and crew.

• Post-production Grant application will require a rough cut or scene, production and post-production budget.

For this application, you may provide information through one of three formats:

• Written Responses

• Audio or Video. You may provide a link to an audio or video file of your responses for each question. Please ensure that all links are not password protected.

• Interview with ARTSmemphis staff. We will record a Zoom meeting and link that recording in the application.

Required Attachments

• Artist Resume:

  • This document should include a current listing of your screening/exhibition/performance record, grants, awards, residencies and other professional activities, including dates and locations.

  • If applying for the ARTSassist Grant as a collaborative group, each artist is required to submit a resume, or documentation of artistic accomplishment.  Compile this information into one file.

  • This document should not exceed 2 pages.

• Website or Social Media

  • An expectation of artists working at a professional level is that they have a digital presence to present and promote their work.

• Work Samples

  • Work samples must be recent works that have been screened/created in the past three years.

  • Links to up to 3 works, with a total combined run time of 15 minutes maximum.

  • If you are providing work samples of commissioned works/pieces no more than 1 of your work samples should be commissioned work.

2026 Jurors

Dance Jurors:

• Eboné Amos, Asst. Professor of African American Studies, Theater and Dance, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN

• J’aime Griffith, Asst. Professor of Dance, Director of Orchesis Performing Arts Center, Grambling State University, LA

• Schyleen Qualls, CEO Arkeon Productions, San Francisco, CA; co-creator & co-founder of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD) based in Denver, Colorado

Film Jurors:

• Jessica Chriesman, Director of Education & Outreach, Sidewalk Film Center, Birmingham, AL

• Shayana Filmore, Film Programmer, Brooklyn, NY

• Wi-Moto Nyoka, Horror & Sci-Fi writer/filmmaker, Philadelphia, PA

Visual Art Jurors:

• Rehema Barber, Director of Curatorial Affairs, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, MI

• Michael Dickins, Director & Chief Curator, Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, College of Charleston, SC

• Benjamin Hickey, Executive Director, Center for Exploratory and Perceptual Arts, Buffalo, NY

Dance

• Noelia Garcia Carmona

• Rhaniyah Chism

• Fabio Mariano

Film

• Alicia Ester

• Sarah Fleming & Laura Jean Hocking

• Zaire Love

Visual Arts

• Carol Blumthal

• Scott Carter

• Kelly Cook

• Nelson Gutierrez

• Johana Moscoso

• Kong Wee Pang

• C Rose Smith