Artist Programs
Overview
The Foundation runs a set of artist-centered programs that fulfill Joan Mitchell’s ambition to “aid and assist” artists through grants, residencies, and related initiatives. See these programs below, or learn more here.
Painters & Sculptors Grants
The annual Painters & Sculptors Grants, first awarded in 1994, provide unrestricted funds of $25,000 each to a diverse group of 25 artists. Learn more.
Artwork by the recipients of the 2019 Painters & Sculptors Grant
Emergency Grants
The Joan Mitchell Foundation provides up to $6,000 in emergency support to US-based visual artists working in the mediums of painting, sculpture, and/or drawing, who have suffered significant losses after natural or man-made disasters that have affected a region on a broad scale. Learn more.
Detail of work by Emergency Grant recipient Christopher Saucedo: Finger Pointing, 2019, embroidered Red Cross blankets with twine
Creating a Living Legacy (CALL)
Creating a Living Legacy (CALL) is an initiative of the Joan Mitchell Foundation designed to provide support to older artists in the areas of studio organization, archiving, inventory management, and through this work create a comprehensive and usable documentation of their artworks and careers. Learn more.
Legacy Specialist Alex Unthank working with CALL Artist Marcos Dimas in his studio.
Early Art Practitioners
The Early Art Practitioners Council and Residency are two pilot programs to better understand and address the needs of visual artists early in their careers, with a focus on practitioners under the age of 26 who are active in their studio practice and seeking a network of peers, critical engagement, and guidance in navigating the field. Learn more.
Artwork by participants of the 2019 Early Art Practitioners Council & Residency
Past Programs
Learn more about the past programs historically offered by the Foundation, and the awarded artists and organizations.
Resources
The Artist Centered Program produces freely available resources to assist artists at all levels in their careers. Selected resources are available for download here.
FAQ
- How do I apply for an individual artist grant?
The Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters & Sculptors Grant grants for individual artists are only awarded through nomination. We do not have an open application process for this unrestricted grant. For further information on why we use a nomination process, please read our expanded thoughts here.
- How do I apply to participate in the Creating a Living Legacy (CALL) Program?
Although the Foundation is no longer providing artists with direct grants to support their legacy planning and studio organization work, CALL resources are freely available to the public via the Foundation’s resources page here and CALLResources.org.
- Is it possible to receive information on the Foundation’s nominators for the Painters & Sculptors Program or the Emerging Artist Program?
The Foundation’s nominators are kept confidential.
- Can I nominate an artist for your Painters & Sculptors Grant Program or Emerging Artist Grant Program?
The Foundation cannot accept unsolicited nominations. The Foundation invites nominators from across the country each year to participate anonymously in our grant program nominations.
- How can I apply for an Emergency Grant?
The Foundation can fund painters and sculptors who have suffered losses due to a natural or man-made disaster that has affected a community. Please see the Emergency Grant section on our website for more information. You are also welcome to contact the Foundation with any questions.