Writing Grants for Writers and Artists Who Are Parents: Sustainable Arts Foundation

 Sustainable Arts Foundation

This year, we will make awards of $5,000 each to twenty artists and writers with children. Additionally, we will name twenty finalists.

Deadline: Feb. 24, 2023

Our awards offer unrestricted cash, which recipients can use as they like.

Our selection process is focused almost entirely on the strength of the submitted portfolio.

Eligibility

To be eligible, the applicant must have at least one child under the age of 18. Parents of older children with a disability or special needs may also be eligible. 

Who Should Apply

Artists and writers with at least one child under the age of 18 and a strong portfolio are welcome to apply.

We are inspired by anyone making creative work while raising a family. Given the intense demand for these awards (we typically receive 2,000-3,000 applications), and the fact that the awards are based on demonstrated excellence in your discipline, we don’t recommend that artists or writers just beginning their creative careers apply to this program.

While we don’t require that applicants have published or exhibited their work, the rigor and critique involved in that process can certainly benefit the portfolio. Portfolios of writing or artwork created in a more personal vein for sharing with friends and family are not suitable.

We invite you to view our list of previous awardees and follow the links to their work to get a feel for their level of craft.

Racial Equity As of Fall 2016, we make at least half our awards to applicants of color. You can read more about this decision on our website.

Disciplines Writers may apply in one of the following categories:

Creative Nonfiction
Early and Middle Grade Readers
Fiction
Graphic Novel/Graphic Memoir
Illustrated Children's Books
Illustrated Children's Books (Text Only)
Poetry
Young Adult Fiction

Visual artists may apply in one of the following categories: 

Book Arts
Ceramics
Drawing
Fiber Arts and Textiles
Illustration
Installation
Jewelry
Mixed Media
Painting
Photography
Printmaking
Sculpture
Wearable Textiles

Please see our FAQ for more information about disciplines. 

More information and application portal here.