Mccain artist grant

Matty Crays

Rachel Maly

Fredy Huaman

Muhamed

    • Amount: $5,000 and $1,000

    • Source: Erie Arts Endowment

    • Eligibility: Erie County Residents

    • Application Window: Annually July 1 - August 31

    • Grant Activity Period: December - November

    • Notification Date: November 30

  • "Unrestricted" means that grantees can use the funds as they see fit. This includes expenses directly related to their creative practice as well as personal expenses that contribute to the artist's livelihood, like childcare and travel.

    • Must be at least 18 years old

    • Must be a current resident of Erie County, PA

    • Must not be a member of Erie Arts and Culture’s Board of Trustees, subcommittees, or staff, or an immediate relative thereof

    • Applicants must not be recipients of a 2026 McCain Artist Opportunities Grant.

    • Curriculum Vitae (CV)

    • Artist Biography and Artist Statement

    • Up to 5 work samples

    • Website/Socials, if applicable

    • Brief Narratives:

      • What are 2-3 goals for your creative practice over the next 12 months, and what steps are you taking to achieve those goals?

      • What barriers are impacting your ability to grow your practice, and how are you navigating them?

      • Who is the primary audience or community for your work? How do they engage with your work? (If you are a folk and traditional artist, describe your role within this community and how your work is recognized or shared)

    • Applications that demonstrate momentum, artistic originality, and meaningful engagement with audiences and communities will be prioritized.

    • Professional Trajectory (50 points)

    • Artistic Merit (30 points)

    • Audience/Community Impact (20 points)

Erie Arts and Culture recognizes our community's increased need for unrestricted grant funds. In 2026, we are merging two grant programs for artists, the McCain Fellowship and the McCain Grant to Advance Artist Opportunities, into one unrestricted grant program.

The McCain Artist Grant is an unrestricted award that supports Erie County artists across career levels and creative disciplines. "Unrestricted" means that grantees can use the funds as they see fit.

Erie Arts and Culture encourages applications from folk and traditional artists, community-based artists, and self-taught artists in addition to fine artists and those with academic arts backgrounds.

Ready to apply? Use the button below to access the application via Submittable.

Apply Now

Please note, the application is only visible during the application window.

Questions? Contact Casey Corritore, Impact and Grants Director: casey@erieartsandculture.org | 814-452-3427 x 108