Welcome to the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod’s online application for our Grants for Artists.
The Arts Foundation raises funds to distribute these grants through the support of out generous patrons, donors, sponsors, and foundations.
Grants for Artists equitably advance creativity throughout Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket by providing funding to individuals who demonstrate achievement of creative expression and commitment to their artistic/cultural practice.
We welcome applications from Barnstable County, Dukes County, and Nantucket County artists, culture bearers, and creative practitioners in all artistic/creative disciplines.
Please review the Grant Guidelines before starting the application.
Sign up for info session:
We'll cover eligibility, project ideas, budget, the application process, and tips for crafting a compelling proposal.
Open to both individual artist and organization applicants.
Before you begin, we encourage you to review the Grant Rubric which explains how our Grants Committee will be reviewing applications.
Should you have questions about the grant application, please email Amy Neill at aneill@artsfoundation.org.
The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod’s 2027 Grant Program prioritizes arts initiatives that create access for everyone in the community, ensuring that the arts are inclusive and widely available to people of all ages and abilities. We are looking to support projects that remove barriers —financial, physical, or social — and introduce innovative ideas to engage all audiences.
We are especially interested in programs that:
- Make the arts accessible, offering free or low-cost participation.
- Engage seniors, individuals with disabilities, or intergenerational groups.
- Bring fresh, innovative arts experiences to the community.
- Foster connections through shared creative experiences.
- Prioritize hiring artists to lead and implement these programs, ensuring they are fairly compensated for their work.
Sign up for info session:
We'll cover eligibility, project ideas, budget, the application process, and tips for crafting a compelling proposal. Open to both individual artist and organization applicants.
Whether large or small, if your project opens the doors to the arts while supporting working artists, we want to hear about it!
Before you begin, we encourage you to review the Grant Rubric (click here) which explains how our Grants Committee will be reviewing applications.
To review FAQs and guidelines, click this link.
Should you have questions about the grant application, please email Amy Neill at aneill@artsfoundation.org.
Thank you for participating in the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod's Fiscal Sponsorship Program. We are excited to support your project and look forward to working with you.
Please complete the Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement form below to finalize your participation in the program. This agreement allows the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod to receive and administer charitable contributions on behalf of your project.
To activate your fiscal sponsorship, you may begin with the one-time contract fee of $150. Payment can be made by credit card using the link below or by sending a check (see details below).
Credit card payment link here.
OR
Checks can be made payable to: Arts Foundation of Cape Cod at 396 Main Street, Suite 10, Hyannis, MA 02601
Please include the name of your project in the memo line of the check.
Once your agreement and payment have been received, the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod will send you a Fiscal Sponsorship Welcome Kit. This will outline what to expect next and provide guidance on fundraising, donations, and requesting project payments.
If you have any questions or concerns at any point in the process, please feel free to contact Julie Wake directly at jwake@artsfoundation.org. We are here to help and are excited to work with you on bringing your project to life.
Thank you again for being part of the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod community and strengthening the region's creative sector through your work.
Grant Report June 2025
Grant Period: June 2025 through June 2026
If you received a grant from the Arts Foundation in June of 2025 would you kindly fill out the 2025 grant report. We are looking forward to hearing how these funds supported your work and impacted our community.
The deadline to submit your report is: Tuesday, June 30, 2026
The Arts Foundation has another round of grant funding open now through November 11th. You are welcome to apply for funding or wait until our Spring cycle in June 2026. We will prioritize projects and programs that have not yet been funded this year so your project maybe pushed to our Spring cycle in June 2026
Best wishes and thank you for all you do to support our creative community!
Grant Report June 2026
Grant Period: June 2026 through May 2027
If you received a grant from the Arts Foundation in July 2026, would you kindly fill out the 2026 grant report. We are looking forward to hearing how these funds supported your work and impacted our community.
The deadline to submit your report is: Wednesday, June 30, 2027
Our grant cycle opens each fall. Visit our website for upcoming application dates.
Best wishes and thank you for all you do to support our creative community!
2027 Creative Exchange Cohort / Capacity-Building Grant Program
Individual artists are essential to a vibrant arts and culture ecosystem, but building a sustainable creative career comes with unique challenges. The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is proud to offer the 2027 Creative Exchange Capacity-Building Grant Program, a cohort experience running January through mid-May that gives artists on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket the entrepreneurial tools, mentorship, and resources to build long-term financial resiliency and grow their creative businesses.
Information Sessions
Want to learn more before applying? Join us for a one-hour virtual information session:
Program Benefits
Through the Capacity-Building Grant Program, participating artists will receive:
- Individual coaching with the Arts Foundation's Programs Manager, who brings over 15 years of experience coaching artists and works one-on-one with each participant on their business plan and goals, scheduled separately from the Wednesday evening Cohort sessions
- Alumni-led and peer-led small group sessions
- Connection to other creatives to support one another on their professional journeys
- Priority access to the Arts Foundation's professional development workshops
- An opportunity to showcase your work in a public setting organized by the Arts Foundation
- A $1,000 working capital grant, awarded at the end of the program
Workshops including:
- Effectively Balancing Business and Art with Queen Allotey-Pappoe
- Taxes for Artists and Creative Freelancers with Hannah Cole, Sunlight Tax
- Writing About Your Work with Alyson Stanfield
- Speaking About Your Work with Alyson Stanfield
- Branding for Creative Business with Sarah Dudek
- The Power of Websites with Jessica Burko
- Arts Advocacy 101 with Emily Ruddock, MassCreative
- Press and PR with Chris Kazarian
- Essentials of Digital Marketing with Francesca Olsen
- Grant Writing with Julie Wake & Chris Kazarian
Plus peer meetups and a mid-program social.
*Workshop lineup subject to change.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are:
- Artists of all disciplines (visual arts, writing, film, dance, music/sound, theater, performance, social practice, etc.)
- Residents of Cape Cod (Barnstable County), Nantucket (Nantucket County), or Martha's Vineyard (Dukes County)
Not eligible:
- Full-time students enrolled in a degree program
- Artists living outside of Cape Cod, Nantucket, or Martha's Vineyard
- Artists who have already participated in the Capacity-Building Grant Program
The program encourages equal opportunity and values diversity in its applicants. Artists who have never received a grant are especially encouraged to apply.
Selection Criteria
A select cohort of artists will be chosen for 2027. Applications will be evaluated based on:
- History of creative work (emerging or established)
- Readiness to benefit (why this is the right moment in your career for business training, and how clearly you can articulate goals for your practice)
- Access to resources (priority is given to artists with limited financial or artistic opportunities and those from under-resourced communities)
Timeline
- Tuesday, September 8, 2026: Application opens
- Friday, November 6, 2026: Application closes (deadline to apply)
- December 2026: Applications reviewed and cohort selected
- Wednesday, January 6, 2027: Cohort onboarding
- January – May 2027: Cohort workshops and peer meetups, Wednesday evenings from 5:30-7 PM
- May 12, 2027: Program completion and release of $1,000 working capital grant
Questions to Consider Before Applying
- How will this opportunity support the growth of your creative practice?
- What stabilization and/or growth opportunities are you currently pursuing, and what types of investments will help you achieve them?
- Why is this the right time in your career for business and financial training?
- How has your creative practice engaged (or how do you plan to engage) with communities on Cape Cod, Nantucket, or Martha’s Vineyard? How does your work contribute to and strengthen these communities?
Should you have questions about the application, please email Amy Neill at aneill@artsfoundation.org.
The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is pleased to announce the return of Deck the Walls, our Annual Small Works Holiday Online & In-Person Sale!
We hope you'll consider submitting your work to this annual event that shines a light on the best of Cape Cod art!
Proceeds support the Arts Foundation's mission to strengthen a vibrant, diverse arts and cultural community across the region.
Your participation in this event helps make our creative sector more resilient, vibrant, welcoming, and connected.
Thank you!
Deck the Walls is one of our favorite celebrations of the year! It's a festive opportunity for Arts Foundation Patrons, both near and far, to purchase artwork in time for the holidays either in-person or online. We wrap for the holidays, and ship!
Important Dates:
- Submission Deadline: Friday, November 6
- Email Notification of work to be included: Friday, November 13
- Shipped work must arrive by: Monday, November 30
- Online Buy Now Event opens: Friday, November 27
- Deck the Walls Open House: Friday, December 4 from 5-7 PM at the Birdhouse 46 Pearl Street, Hyannis (right next to Guyer Barn and the Artist Shanties)
- Online Buy Now Event closes: Friday, December 11
- Notification of Artwork Sale: By Wednesday, December 16. Checks will be mailed to the artist within 30 days.
- Unsold work to be shipped back: week of January 4, 2027
Artwork Criteria:
- Original works of art only.
- All mediums welcome: acrylic, oil, watermedia, pastel, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, sculpture, photography, fiber, wood, metal, glass, ceramics, and jewelry.
- There's no maximum size limit, this isn't a typical small works holiday show, and pieces of any size are welcome. As always, the Arts Foundation Committee retains full discretion over which pieces are selected.
- All work must be ready to hang.
- It's been our experience that art priced between $300-$2,000 works well for this event.
Submission Guidelines:
- You can submit up to 3 pieces for consideration. In most cases, only one piece will be chosen.
- Space is limited. Please submit your best work for consideration. If you have questions about what to submit, or any other inquiries regarding this event, please contact Amy Neill, aneill@artsfoundation.org.
Please Include in Your Submission:
- Up to 3 images per artwork: one main shot plus up to two detail images if applicable. JPEG format, at least 2000px on the longest side, under 5MB. Please provide quality images, as they are used for the online sale.
- Please label each image as: ArtistLastName_Title. Example: Neill_CapeDay.
We are grateful for your consideration to donate 100% of your artwork sale proceeds to the Arts Foundation so we can continue to provide essential resources and support to Cape Cod's arts sector and community. Your contribution helps to make the arts on Cape Cod more accessible to everyone, regardless of background or ability.
The option for the artist to receive 25% or 50% of the sale value is also available. Please note your choice on the Submittable form.
Thank you for your contribution, whatever you can do is so appreciated!
Sale of Artwork:
- All artists will be notified via email regarding the sale of their artwork by Wednesday, December 16th. Checks will be mailed to the artist within 30 days.
How Bidding & Reserves Work
We open bidding at 60% of the stated value of your artwork.
Example: Artwork Value: $1,000 Opening Bid: $600
Your artwork could sell for the opening bid of $600 if there are no additional bids.
If you do not want your artwork to sell below a certain amount, you may set a reserve price. The reserve is the minimum amount the artwork must reach in bidding in order to be sold.
For example: Artwork Value: $1,000 Opening Bid: $600 Reserve: $800
In this example, the artwork would need to reach $800 or more to be sold. If you've chosen the 50% commission option, an $800 sale means $400 to you; a reserve helps protect against a lower outcome.
Please note: A reserve is optional and should not exceed the stated value of the artwork. Keep your commission choice in mind when deciding whether to set a reserve, if you're keeping a percentage of the sale, a reserve helps ensure the final price reflects what works for you.
Shipping Your Work
Selected artists are responsible for shipping their work to and from AFCC. Please ship submitted pieces to arrive no later than Monday, November 30:
Arts Foundation of Cape Cod Attn: Amy Neill 396 Main Street, Suite 10 Hyannis, MA 02601
Please provide a return label with your shipment. Include your name and the title of your piece on the shipping label. We recommend using a trackable shipping method and retaining your tracking number.
No packing peanuts please.
If your work does not sell, it will be returned to you or donated to the Arts Foundation, based on the preference you select in your submission. Please include a prepaid return shipping label with your piece if you'd like it returned. Artwork being returned will ship back the week of January 4, 2027.
Should you have any questions, please contact Amy Neill, at aneill@artsfoundation.org.
Arts Foundation of Cape Cod's mission: To support and strengthen a vibrant and diverse arts and cultural sector for everyone in the region.
Arts Access Application
Welcome to Arts Access, a program supported by the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod. This form is the first step in connecting a child in your life to quality arts programming on Cape Cod and the Islands. Your child or mentee must be associated with one of our community partners (YMCA Achievers; Big Brothers Big Sisters; Greater Hyannis Supporting Our Youth Task Force; Cape Cod Child Development; Grandparents Raising Grandchildren on Cape Cod; and Cape Cod Children’s Place) or referred by a cultural organization.
Eligibility
Arts Access funds are intended for families in great need, living at or below the poverty line. Eligibility is based on referral from one of our community partners, who already know the families they serve and understand their circumstances.
Preference is given to students and families who meet income guidelines and may be experiencing one or more of the following:
- Enrollment in SNAP
- Participation in WIC
- Participation in TANF or Massachusetts TAFDC
- MassHealth or Medicaid coverage
- Housing Choice Voucher or Section 8, or residence in public housing
- Fuel assistance or LIHEAP
- Free or reduced price school meals
- SSI or SSDI as a primary source of household income
- Foster care, kinship care, or McKinney Vento status
If your situation reflects significant need but is not listed here, please note it in the application. Our partners can help document circumstances.
How Arts Access Works
- The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod partners with organizations that have systems in place to support families and to help create a successful match between student and cultural organization.
- The cultural organization providing the programming will be paid directly by the Arts Foundation, not through the student, family, or community partner.
- Funding may be available for additional class-related expenses. Any approved costs will be coordinated through the cultural organization.
Timeline
You will hear back from the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod within 5 to 10 days.
Questions and Support
Please reach out to Julie Wake at jwake@artsfoundation.org with any questions. We are committed to protecting your privacy. Information shared is used only to determine eligibility and support a successful match.
School Bus Funding from the AFCC Access Fund
AFCC School Bus funds will provide grants up to $800.00 to help schools with the transportation costs of student cultural field trips. The field trips must be in the arts, sciences, or humanities. Examples: art and science museums; historic sites; and music, theater, and dance performances.
Eligibility
- Any Barnstable County school (public, charter, parochial, or independent) serving grades K-12 can apply.
- The field trips must be focused in the arts, but trips that combine science or humanities with the arts will also be considered.
- Types of field trips that DO NOT qualify for funding are trips to sporting events, amusement parks, or other similar outings.
FAQS
When is the application deadline?
There is no deadline, but applications must be in at least 30 days prior to the trip. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Grants will be awarded until funds run out. Our goal is to spread the funding equitably among all Cape schools that apply.
Can an independent or faith-based school apply?
Yes, all Barnstable County schools serving grades K-12 are eligible to apply.
Someone else in my school already received a grant for this school year. Can I apply too?
Yes, the AFCC may award more than one bus grant to the same school and/or teacher. However, the AFCC reserves the right to approve or deny application in order to distribute the funding equitably so all schools may benefit.
What types of trips do no qualify for funding?
Types of trips that DO NOT qualify for funding are trips to sporting events, amusement parks, and outdoor activities such as class beach trips. Field trips to performances put on by students are not eligible, as the goal of the program is to provide students with a professional cultural experience. The trip must meet the mission of providing access to arts and culture for all students.
Can we get a grant to travel to a destination outside of Massachusetts?
Yes.
What is the maximum amount of money we can ask for?
$800
We want to go on more than one field trip in this school year. Can we apply for another grant?
Yes, however you should also research funding through Mass Cultural Council as well as your local cultural council for funding for additional field trips.
How will we know that the AFCC has received our application?
Once you have successfully submitted your online application, a confirmation email will be sent.
How will we know if our application was approved or not?
Within three weeks of submitting your application, you will receive an email from the AFCC telling you whether or not your application has been approved. Be sure your email account is set to allow messages from jwake@artsfoundation.org. All funding decisions are final.
How do we get the money?
A check will be made out to the school and will include the teacher and department along with a note stating that funds are restricted for the specific field trip. The check will go out USPS. Applicant contact will be notified check has been sent. It is up to the applicant to follow through on receipt of funding.
Who arranges for the bus and pays the bus company?
You or your school are responsible for making all bus arrangements and payments. The AFCC is not liable for school bus arrangements or contractual services made between the bus company and school/teacher.