Official State of Iowa Website Here is how you know

Note: This funding opportunity is no longer currently accepting applications. See below for resources to manage your grant award.

These program guidelines are subject to change after the publication date. Changes will be clearly noted on this page.

Changes for FY2024
For the current grant cycle, the Iowa Arts Council has combined the Art Project Grant for individual artists and Iowa Artist Fellowship applications into one application.

  • Art Project Grants for individual artists range from $1,000 to $10,000 with 50% cash match requirement and support the creation or presentation of an original work of art, arts experience or arts learning opportunity that will increase the vitality of the arts in Iowa.
  • The Iowa Artist Fellowship is a one-time, $10,000 award, paired with robust professional development, peer mentorship and coaching opportunities, that supports Iowa artists who are committed to advancing their artistic practice and are at a pivotal stage in their career.

Within the application, applicants may select which program(s) they would like to be considered for funding. This new process eliminates the round one and round two Fellowship applications, reduces the burden on applicants, and allows applicants to be considered for an Art Project Grant if not selected for an Artist Fellowship.

Applicants may only receive one award. Funding for these artist support programs is provided by the Iowa Legislature and by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Application Deadline: May 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM for the funding period of July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024. This deadline is for the Art Project Grant for Artists and Iowa Artist Fellowship combined application.

How to Apply

  1. Read the appropriate guidelines:
  2. Watch recorded informational webinars for an overview of program requirements, tips and advice on how to complete the application, and more. Search for the “Fiscal Year 2024 Grant Webinars” playlist on the @IowaCulture YouTube channel for all relevant webinars. (Webinars will be available in early February.)
  3. Submit the application. There is one combined application for both the Art Project Grant for Artists and Iowa Artist Fellowship.

Grant Writing Resources

Question & Answer Session
Potential applicants are welcome to join Iowa Arts Council staff for a virtual public question and answer session via Zoom to ask questions about applying to the program. Potential applicants are encouraged to review all written guidelines and informational webinars prior to attending this session.

When and How to Join
4:00 p.m., February 21, 2023 - Combined Q&A Session for both the Art Project Grant for Artists and Iowa Artist Fellowship
Question & Answer Session Zoom Link
Office Hours Call-In: 312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 626 286 2564

Schedule a Meeting
Potential applicants are welcome to schedule a brief meeting with Program Manager Jennie Knoebel in advance of the application deadline if the applicant has additional questions. Potential applicants are encouraged to review all written guidelines and informational webinars prior to scheduling a meeting with a program manager. Meetings can be scheduled directly using the program manager’s scheduling page via Calendly.

Example Applications
Take a look at examples of previously submitted applications. Example applications are for reference only. Programs change from year to year so applicants should ensure they are responding to current application requirements.

Grant Terms and Definitions

Check out the glossary for definitions of grant terms used in the guidelines. 

Manage Your Grant

Grantee Handbook

See the Grantee Handbook to learn how to manage your grant, including contract compliance and publicity.

Fiscal Year 2023 Guidelines

Fiscal Year 2023 Grantees may use the Fiscal Year 2023 Iowa Artist Fellowship Program Guidelines for reference throughout the funding period of July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023.

Final Report

As a grant recipient, you must complete a final report form at the end of the process and share the impact of the project on the arts and culture in Iowa.


Current & Past Fellows

View the list of exceptional artists who have been selected for the Iowa Artist Fellowship program.

Grant Awards History

Displaying 1 - 20 of 45
Searches project title, applicant name, city, county, and fiscal year
Project Title Sort descending Applicant City County Fiscal year Grant Amount
Artist Fellowship Noah Doely Cedar Falls Black Hawk 2019 $10,000.00
Artist Fellowship Mary Jones Indianola Warren 2019 $10,000.00
Artist Fellowship Lauren Haldeman Iowa City Johnson 2019 $10,000.00
Artist Fellowship Julia Franklin West Des Moines Polk 2019 $10,000.00
Artist Fellowship Molly Wood Des Moines Polk 2019 $10,000.00
Artist Fellowship River Breitbach Rickardsville Dubuque 2018 $10,000.00
Artist Fellowship Rachel Yoder Iowa City Johnson 2018 $10,000.00
Artist Fellowship Lee Running Grinnell Poweshiek 2018 $10,000.00
Artist Fellowship John Meggers Des Moines Polk 2018 $10,000.00
Artist Fellowship Jennifer Drinkwater Ames Story 2018 $10,000.00
Artist Fellowship Kathranne Knight Ames Story 2015 $5,000.00
Artist Fellowship Christopher Ford Des Moines Polk 2015 $5,000.00
Artist Fellowship Robert John Ford Des Moines Polk 2015 $5,000.00
Artist Fellowship Jordan Weber Des Moines Polk 2015 $5,000.00
Artist Fellowship Lauren Alleyne Dubuque Dubuque 2015 $5,000.00
Artist Fellowship Larassa Kabel Des Moines Polk 2016 $5,000.00
Artist Fellowship Lisa Schlesinger Iowa City Johnson 2016 $5,000.00
Artist Fellowship Paul Brooke Ames Story 2022 $10,000.00
Artist Fellowship Robert Stephens Des Moines Polk 2016 $5,000.00
Artist Fellowship Louise Kames Dubuque Dubuque 2022 $10,000.00