Delaware Artists Encouraged to Apply for State Creative Grants Before August 1st Deadline

WILMINGTON, Del. — Delaware’s creative community has an opportunity to turn talent into funding thanks to the state’s 2026 Individual Artist Fellowship program — but the deadline to apply is fast approaching. Artists must submit their applications by August 1, 2025, through the state’s smARTDE online portal.

The Delaware Division of the Arts is awarding competitive grants of $5,000, $8,000, or $12,000 to individual artists in disciplines ranging from visual and performing arts to literature, jazz, media, and folk art. The program aims to support original work by Delaware residents and help them take the next step in their creative careers.

Whether you’re a painter, poet, sculptor, filmmaker, or folk musician, the fellowship is designed to help artists fund time, materials, and professional development—not international travel or lobbying.

“These fellowships are more than just a cash award,” said Roxanne Stanulis, Program Officer for the Division of the Arts. “They are an investment in Delaware’s cultural fabric and in the long-term growth of our state’s most talented creatives.”

The fellowships are divided into three levels:

Emerging Artist Fellowships ($5,000) are available to early-career artists who have not yet established a broad reputation in their field.
Established Artist Fellowships ($8,000) are for those with a significant body of work and public recognition.
Masters Fellowships ($12,000) are open this year only to visual and folk artists who have previously received an Established Fellowship more than seven years ago (before January 2018).

Artists can only apply in one discipline, and work samples must reflect that specific focus. The list of eligible categories includes 20 disciplines, from painting and poetry to hip-hop performance and interdisciplinary visual arts.

Applications are reviewed anonymously by professional jurors recruited by Mid Atlantic Arts, ensuring artistic quality is the primary selection criterion. Finalists will be presented to the Delaware State Arts Council for approval later this year, with winners announced in January 2026.

To be eligible, artists must be Delaware residents for at least one year, be 18 or older, and not currently enrolled in a degree program. Previous fellowship recipients must wait three years to reapply for the same category and discipline.

In addition to the grant funding, recipients will also be expected to present their work publicly and participate in a group exhibition at the Biggs Museum, offering statewide visibility and community engagement.

Interested artists should visit arts.delaware.gov or contact the Division at 302-577-8278 for complete guidelines and support.

How to Apply:

Submit your application via smARTDE
Deadline: August 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Be sure to review formatting and anonymity requirements before uploading work samples.

Don’t miss your chance to gain recognition and funding for your art. Whether you’re just getting started or have spent years honing your craft, the Individual Artist Fellowship is your opportunity to be seen, supported, and celebrated.