Brightwork Grants

Application opens: July 10, 2026.

 Deadline: August 28, 2026.

Notifications will be sent in late September.

In addition to our flagship fellowship program, the Brightwork Foundation offers two grant opportunities to NC based visual artists. At this time, one artist will be awarded a grant in each category. Brightwork Grants are now open to applicants living full-time in any NC county. 

Please note, applicants may only apply to one grant per application cycle. Artists applying for the 2027 Brightwork Fellowship are not eligible to apply for a 2027 Brightwork Grant. Please carefully consider which opportunity is right for you at this time. 

Applicants who do not follow the application guidelines or meet the eligibility requirements will be dismissed without notice. 

    • Please note: Applicants who do not follow the application guidelines or meet the eligibility requirements will be dismissed without notice. 

    • Eligible artists have lived in North Carolina full time for a minimum of one year (twelve consecutive months) at the time of their application and will continue living in North Carolina for the duration of the grant period.

    • Practicing visual artists of all backgrounds and at any stage of their career are eligible to apply. Choreographers, dancers, theatrical performers, filmmakers, musicians, writers, and other artistic disciplines outside of contemporary visual art are not eligible to apply.

    • Visual artists 21+ years of age.

    • Applicants may not be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program during the granting period. Applicants may be enrolled in such programs during the application process, if they will have graduated by the start of the grant period. Doctoral candidates that have finished all coursework may apply.

    • Artists who have been awarded the Brightwork Fellowship in 2022 or later are not eligible for a Brightwork Grant. Artists who participated in the Brightwork program between 2017- 2021 may apply.

    • Artists who have been awarded a Brightwork Grant in 2026 are not eligible to apply for a 2027 grant. 

    • Applicants may only apply for one grant or fellowship per application cycle. Applicants must choose to apply for either the Professional Development Grant or the Studio Project Grant, you may not apply for both in the same year.  Additionally, artists applying for the Brightwork Fellowship are not eligible to apply for a Brightwork Grant in the same year. 

    • The use of Brightwork Grant funds are restricted to the specific terms of each grant. Please see the description of each grant for more details. A proposed budget is required as part of the application process, and if awarded, the grantee must provide receipts for each purchase made with grant funds. The grantee will be required to submit a Form W9 and is responsible for all tax implications of the award.

    • The funds from each grant must be used between January-December 2027.

    • There will be a small application fee charged by SlideRoom, Anchorlight does not charge an additional fee to apply.

Professional Development Grant: $2,000.00

One artist will be selected for the 2027 grant. Application materials will include a proposed budget, statement of intent, artist statement and bio, examples of recent work.

Grant funds may be used for activities that further the professional development of the applicant. Examples of appropriate uses of funds (not limited to):

  • Attending a workshop, class, conference or acquiring 1:1 technical instruction.

  • Professional documentation of portfolio.

  • Hiring of a designer to create a professional website.

  • Purchase of equipment, tools, or studio materials.

Apply for the Professional Development Grant
Learn about 2026 Grant Recipient Chloé Rager

Studio Project Grant: $3,000.00

One artist will be selected for the 2027 grant. Application materials will include a proposed budget, project description, artist statement and bio, examples of recent work.

Grant funds may be used for the production of studio based work including (not limited to):

  • Purchase of equipment, tools, or studio materials.

  • Expenses related to a future, confirmed solo exhibition in a public gallery.

  • Research related expenses specific to your project.

Apply for the Studio Project Grant
Learn about 2026 Grant Recipient Alberto Ortega