Funding resources for art in Boston
Find out how to get funding for an art project that improves the quality of life in the City.
There are plenty of resources for artists looking for funding. The Boston Cultural Council awards grants each year for art projects throughout the City. There are two main types of grants:
- Program Grants for programs and projects that benefit the City. Learn how to apply for a Program Grant.
- Field Trip Grants that cover the costs of going to performing arts shows in the City. This grant doesn’t cover museum admissions. Learn how to apply for a Field Trip Grant.
Arts and Culture
There are also funds for people who want to create art to enhance the City’s public spaces. We fund artists who have ideas for permanent or temporary public art projects:
The Edward Ingersoll Browne Fund
Edward Ingersoll Browne, a trust attorney who loved his community, created this fund in 1892. He gave one-third of his estate to this fund. The money goes toward projects that will improve public spaces.
Application details
- Deadline: March 15
- Download the Browne Fund application
- Guidelines for your application
You can bring in or mail your application to:
City of Boston Trust Office
1 City Hall Square, Room M5
Boston, MA 02201
Fund for The Arts
Funding for this public program is through the New England Foundation for the Arts. They look for projects that bring artists and nonprofits together. These projects should engage audiences and inspire others to take part in the arts. Visit the New England Foundation for the Arts website for more information.
Henderson Fund
George B. Henderson created the Henderson Fund in 1964. Projects must make Boston more beautiful, and need to be able to be seen from a public area. Interior projects must be in a building that's open to the public for most of the year. Visit the Henderson Fund website for more information.
Hampden and Hampshire Counties
The Beveridge Family Foundation, Inc.
Western Massachusetts
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Hampden County
The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation
Western Massachusetts
Field Trip
Capital Project/Project Support
Film
Visual Arts
- The National Endowment for the Arts
- Lillian Orlowsky and William Freed Foundation Grant (for people 45 and older)
- Aaron Siskind Foundation (for people doing photography)
- The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation
- The Pollock-Krasner Foundation
- William H. Johnson Prize (for African-Americans early in their careers)
- Women's Studio Workshop (residency grants for women)
- Artist Space Boston (housing)
Literary Arts
Humanities
Multi-Discipline
- Artplace America
- Barr Foundation
- Highland Street Foundation
- New England Foundation of the Arts
- The Massachusetts Cultural Council
- The Boston Foundation
- Mass Humanities
- Creative Capital
- Graham Foundation