Arkansas Individual Artist Fellowship

Arkansas creatives age 21 or older with at least one year of state residency may apply for unrestricted merit fellowships in rotating discipline categories. Applicants must submit their own original work and may enter only one category per cycle.

Up to 18 fellows receive $5,000 each annually across six categories. Awards recognize creative excellence in finished work rather than funding a specific proposed project, and no match is required.

Applications open February 1 and close March 1 each year through the Arkansas Arts Council grants portal (code: aac). The FY26 cycle is closed; the next cycle is expected to reopen for FY27.

The Arkansas Arts Council, part of Arkansas Heritage, partners with the Windgate Foundation to fund these individual artist fellowships.