Kentucky Emerging Artist Award

Working professional Kentucky artists in the early years of their careers, typically within the first 10 years of professional practice, may apply when their discipline is open. FY27 applications were in literary arts subdisciplines: fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and play/screenwriting. Applicants must be Kentucky residents for at least one year.

The Emerging Artist Award is an unrestricted $1,000 cash award with no matching funds or required project. Artists apply for either this award or the $7,500 Individual Artist Fellowship in the same cycle, not both.

Applications are due in March annually, with disciplines rotating each year. FY27 deadline was March 15, 2026 for a July 2026 through June 2027 grant period.

The Kentucky Arts Council administers the Emerging Artist Award alongside its Individual Artist Fellowship program.