Over 5,200 unrestricted grants totaling more than $93 million have empowered visual artists since 1985 to focus fully on their creative work without financial distractions. If you specialize in painting, sculpture, or paper-based art and have a strong exhibition record, this grant could be a critical resource for advancing your career. Yet, the application requires careful preparation and clear proof of your professional engagement—details that might affect your chances more than you expect.
Key Takeaways
- The Pollock-Krasner Foundation awards unrestricted grants up to $50,000 to professional visual artists with a strong exhibition history in painting, sculpture, or paper-based work.
- Applicants must submit an online application including a cover letter, artist statement, current resume with exhibitions, and ten high-quality digital images of recent work.
- Grants support artists’ creative work and essential expenses such as supplies, studio rent, and living costs, allowing focus on artistic development and exhibition preparation.
- The foundation reviews applications continuously year-round, with decisions typically taking nine to twelve months; reapplication is allowed after 12 months with new materials.
- Photography, commercial, graphic, video, performance, and generative art are excluded; students and academic study are not funded, and photography grants require nomination only.
Overview of the Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant Program
Since its founding in 1985, the Pollock-Krasner Foundation has awarded over 5,200 unrestricted grants totaling more than $93 million to exceptional visual artists worldwide, empowering them to create new work and cover essential costs such as studio rent and materials.
You benefit from grant impact that strengthens the artist community, supporting both emerging and established creators. The foundation’s ongoing, year-round application process means you can apply whenever ready.
Each grant, up to $50,000, is tailored to your needs and exhibition history. A panel of specialists reviews submissions, ensuring support reaches those who’ll make the greatest contribution to the global artist community.
Eligibility Requirements for Applicants
You must be a professional visual artist working in painting, sculpture, or on paper—including printmaking—to qualify for a Pollock-Krasner Foundation grant.
Your application eligibility hinges on demonstrating an active exhibition history of current work in professional venues.
Artist qualifications exclude commercial, graphic, video, performance, and generative art.
The foundation doesn’t fund students or academic study.
Photography grants are by nomination only.
Make sure your practice aligns with these criteria before applying. Meeting these standards is essential for consideration.
Preparing Your Application Materials
Once your eligibility aligns with the Pollock-Krasner Foundation’s requirements, assembling strong application materials becomes your next focus.
Application tips include submitting a cover letter, a concise artist statement that reflects your artistic vision linked to the ten submitted images, a current resume with exhibition records, and ten high-quality digital JPEG images of work from the past decade, including up to two detail views.
Prepare an Image Identification List describing each image’s medium, dimensions, and brief context. Remember, all materials must be submitted online; mail, fax, or email submissions won’t be accepted.
Use artist insights to craft clear, compelling statements that connect your work to the Foundation’s values.
Guidelines for Digital Image Submission
Make certain your ten digital images are in JPEG format, with each file sized exactly 2100 pixels on the longest side—this guarantees your work looks sharp when projected and reviewed.
Only submit images of pieces completed in the last ten years, and keep in mind that up to two files can show details or alternate views, while the rest must each feature a separate artwork.
Accompany your images with a clear Identification List that matches each file to its artwork, so reviewers can easily connect your visual submissions to your application.
Image Format Requirements
How should digital images be prepared to meet the Pollock-Krasner Foundation’s submission standards?
You must submit digital images in JPEG format and at the highest quality to comply with the foundation’s image specifications and submission guidelines.
Include up to ten images total, with a maximum of two detail images, all showcasing work created within the last ten years.
While exact dimensions aren’t specified, it’s critical your images clearly represent your artwork.
Accompany your submission with an Image Identification List detailing each work’s title, medium, dimensions, and year to complete the format requirements.
Image Quality Standards
Although the Pollock-Krasner Foundation doesn’t specify exact pixel dimensions, you must submit your digital images in high-resolution JPEG format to guarantee clarity and detail when reviewed.
Verify your image resolution is high enough to show every nuance of your work. You can include up to two detail views among your ten required images, which must all be from the past ten years.
Submit only the highest quality images—poor resolution can undermine even exceptional artwork. An Image Identification List is essential.
Your images will be projected and scrutinized, so prioritize quality to make a strong impression.
Identification List Details
Your Image Identification List must clearly correspond to each of the ten digital images you submit, providing precise details such as title, medium, dimensions, and year of completion for every artwork.
This list plays an essential role in image categorization, ensuring that each submitted piece is correctly identified and understood in context.
You can submit up to ten digital images, including two allowed for detail views, all in high-quality JPEG format showcasing work from the past ten years.
These detail descriptions improve the reviewers’ comprehension of your artistic practice, so include the list with your cover letter, artist statement, resume, and exhibition record.
Writing an Effective Artist Statement
Why does an artist statement matter? It’s your chance to articulate your artistic motivations clearly, so readers—especially selection panels—understand what drives your work and where it fits within the contemporary art world.
Structure your statement to introduce your key themes, concepts, and influences, then connect these to broader artistic movements or conversations.
Write in a professional yet accessible tone, avoiding jargon. Share a concise personal anecdote if it illuminates your creative journey, but keep the focus on your practice.
Aim for 300–500 words: enough to engage, not overwhelm. A well-crafted statement demonstrates thoughtfulness and positions your work strategically.
Importance of Exhibition History in the Application
For applicants seeking support from the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, your exhibition history isn’t just a list—it’s tangible evidence of your professional momentum and how your practice holds up in recognized artistic contexts.
This record demonstrates your exhibition impact and boosts your artist visibility, both essential for evaluation. Even if you have fewer than ten shows, listing all professional exhibitions accurately matters, as the foundation only accepts applicants actively exhibiting current work in professional venues.
A strong, up-to-date exhibition history signifies commitment and recognition, significantly enhancing your chances of receiving a substantial grant.
The Online Application Process Step-by-Step
You start your Pollock-Krasner Foundation application by gathering your current resume, exhibition record, artist statement, a clear cover letter, and ten digital images of your most recent work, all prepared as specified for online submission.
You access the application form exclusively through the foundation’s website, where your progress is saved automatically, letting you return to complete your submission if needed.
After submitting, expect your application to be acknowledged promptly, but keep in mind the review can take up to a year, and you must complete your application within 120 days or risk losing your work.
Application Requirements
How do you approach the Pollock-Krasner Foundation grant application process, knowing each detail shapes your prospects for support?
Focus on submitting a polished online application that includes a form, cover letter, artist statement, current resume with exhibition record, and ten high-quality digital images made within the last ten years—two can be detail shots.
Prioritize image clarity as the Selection Committee evaluates your work closely.
Remember, your in-progress application auto-saves, but inactivity beyond 120 days deletes it, so timely submission is key.
Immediate acknowledgment follows submission, but anticipate a review window of up to a year.
Strategic attention to these steps maximizes your success.
Digital Image Submission
Submitting your ten digital images with precision shapes how the Selection Committee perceives your portfolio. You must carefully curate images that showcase your strongest recent work—created within the last ten years—and present them in high-quality JPEG format with specified dimensions.
You’re allowed two detail shots to emphasize vital aspects, enhancing your portfolio presentation strategically. Remember, the entire application is online; submissions by mail, fax, or email aren’t accepted.
The system saves your progress automatically, so you can resume anytime. Once submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation email, ensuring your curated portfolio is acknowledged promptly.
Review and Follow-up
With your application submitted, the Pollock-Krasner Foundation’s entirely online process immediately confirms receipt, letting you know your materials have entered the review queue.
Expect a thorough review; the process typically takes nine to twelve months. If needed, the Foundation will reach out for application follow up, requesting additional details or documentation.
You won’t receive regular review feedback, but prompt communication occurs if further information is required. Stay accessible and responsive.
Inactive applications are deleted after 120 days, so keep your account updated. This strategic approach guarantees your submission remains active and considered throughout the entire review period.
Review and Selection Process Explained
Because the Pollock-Krasner Foundation processes each grant application with the guidance of a distinguished committee of recognized specialists, you’ll find the review is consistently rigorous and grounded in a deep understanding of contemporary visual arts practice.
Grant funding decisions rely heavily on your professional exhibition history, which signals your active engagement with the art community.
After submitting your complete application, you’ll receive prompt acknowledgment, but expect the application timeline to span nine months to a year.
If you reapply, you must wait 12 months and submit new images not previously reviewed.
The Foundation may adjust guidelines per donor intent to best serve artists.
Grant Award Amounts and Usage
Although grant amounts vary based on the artist’s individual circumstances, the Pollock-Krasner Foundation awards grants up to $50,000 to support your professional art practice and personal needs.
You can use this funding for grant usage like creating new work, acquiring supplies, renting studio space, and covering living expenses.
The unrestricted nature of the grant lets you focus on concentrated studio work and exhibition preparation.
Your grant’s funding impact is clear: it empowers you to advance your career, experiment with new ideas, and sustain your artistic journey.
Reapplication and Panel Review Policies
You can reapply for a Pollock-Krasner Foundation grant 12 months after your previous grant period or application date, but be certain to submit new images of your work.
A panel of recognized specialists carefully reviews every application to guarantee a thorough evaluation.
Keep in mind, the review process can take nine to twelve months, so patience throughout this time is essential.
Reapplication Timeline
When considering reapplying to the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, it’s important to understand that the timeline for reapplication is firm: if you’ve previously received a grant, you must wait 12 months from the end of your grant period before submitting a new application, and if you were declined, you must wait at least 12 months from the date of your previous application letter before reapplying.
Use these reapplication strategies and grant application tips to strengthen your next submission:
- Reflect on feedback and improve your portfolio.
- Submit new digital images not previously seen.
- Update your exhibition record and resume.
- Reach out to references early for support.
Panel Review Process
The Pollock-Krasner Foundation employs a panel of recognized specialists to rigorously review each application, ensuring that submissions are evaluated by experts well-versed in relevant artistic fields.
This panel’s dynamics enable a thorough assessment based on established evaluation criteria, emphasizing artistic merit and financial need.
You’ll have your application promptly acknowledged, and if any questions arise, the Foundation contacts you directly.
The review process can last nine months to a year, reflecting its depth.
If you reapply, you must wait 12 months post-grant and submit new images to provide fresh material for panel consideration.
Supporting Your Artistic Practice With a Pollock-Krasner Grant
Because the Pollock-Krasner Foundation provides unrestricted grants up to $50,000 based on your individual financial situation, it offers a unique opportunity to support various aspects of your artistic practice—from creating new work and purchasing supplies to covering living expenses.
This grant writing process is designed for real artist support, empowering you to focus on your craft.
- Imagine having the freedom to experiment without financial stress
- Picture yourself preparing for your next big exhibition
- Envision investing in high-quality materials for your studio
- Feel the relief of covering essential living costs while pursuing your passion
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Get a Pollock Krasner Grant?
To get a Pollock-Krasner grant, you must meet eligibility criteria as a professional visual artist with a strong exhibition history. Submit an ongoing online application including a cover letter, artist statement, resume, exhibition record, and ten digital images of recent work. The review process can take up to a year.
What Is the New Black Artist Fund Grant?
The New Black Artist Fund Grant gives Black artists unrestricted funding opportunities to create new work, buy materials, and cover living expenses, supporting your artistic practice and addressing disparities in the art world.
Where Is the Pollock-Krasner Foundation?
The Pollock-Krasner Foundation’s main location is at 863 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10075. To qualify for grant eligibility, you must be a professional visual artist working in painting, sculpture, or works on paper.
What Is the Gottlieb Grant for Artists?
The Gottlieb grant overview: it awards up to $25,000 to mature visual artists focusing on painting, sculpture, or works on paper. Eligibility criteria require a significant exhibition history and demonstrated artistic commitment over many years. You apply anytime, with jurors selecting based on artistic merit and impact.
Conclusion
With a Pollock-Krasner Foundation grant, you plant your roots—freed from financial fences—so your creative vision can branch toward the light. You’ve navigated the thicket of eligibility and submission, sharpened your artist statement, and exposed your latest work to a panel of discerning eyes. Whether funded or not, you’re now part of a current where rigor meets risk, and every application is a brushstroke in the defining mural of your career.