Investing in Artists:
Tools and Equipment
Overview
Learn about the 2025 Investing in Artists: Tools & Equipment Grantees! The Investing in Artists: Tools & Equipment program will award grants of $1,000–$5,000 to individual craft artists to purchase artistic tools and equipment that support their ability to make object-based work. This program is open to individual craft artists, folk and traditional artists, and craftspeople in the United States and its Territories, with geographic eligibility rotating over the 2024–2026 funding cycle. The Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI) established the Investing in Artists grant portfolio in 2007 to enhance the working lives of and strengthen the creative support system for California artists working in all disciplines. From 2007–2011, and with the support of the James Irvine Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Investing in Artists awarded grants to individual artists across disciplines to acquire tools and equipment, produce new work, and develop plans for marketing and presenting creative work. In 2024, with the partnership of the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, CCI revived Investing in Artists’ support of tools and equipment, with a new focus on the disciplines of both craft and folk, and traditional arts, and with expanded geographic eligibility across the U.S. and its Territories. Investing in Artists: Tools & Equipment will award funding through a competitive grant application process. Competitive applicants will present a clear request, demonstrate a sustained commitment to their craft discipline, and illustrate how funding will provide linchpin support, such as enabling the artist to meet demand, address safety requirements or other regulations, replace outdated or damaged equipment, or reach a higher standard of quality or craftsmanship. A total of $60,000 is available in the 2026 funding round.
Deadlines
Applications openMay 19 at 9:00 a.m. PT Applications closeJune 26 at 11:59 a.m. (morning) PT**see time conversion below Panel Review:Week of August 31 Award NotificationsSeptember 10 by 5:00 p.m. PT Period of supportSeptember 2026–September 2027
Eligibility
To be eligible for funding consideration, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Identify as an individual working craft artist Align with CCI’s definition of craft For the 2026 Round: Eligible applicants must reside full-time in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, or Virginia.
In 2024, funding was available to craftspeople residing full-time in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, as well as American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. In 2025, funding was available to craftspeople residing full-time in Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Presented artistic work in a public context—including online/digital platforms—within the last three years (i.e., since 2023). Are 18 years or older at the time of the application deadline.
Refer to the Program Guidelines and FAQ for further details on eligibility.
Image Courtesy of Amanda Ewing, 2025 Investing in Artists: Tools & Equipment Grantee. Nashville, TN. Photo by Mike Belleme, 2022
CCI will invite panelists with craft expertise to review eligible applications and make award recommendations. Panelists will evaluate requests using these criteria:
- Vision: Proposed project (i.e, purchase or repair of tools/equipment) is clear and has a strong rationale. Details are provided about the specific tools/equipment requested, associated costs, timeline, resources needed, and their status, and other considerations required to carry out the project.
- Impact: Evidence that purchasing or repair of tools/equipment provides vital, linchpin support for artist’s career and ability to produce work. Applicants must provide a clear rationale as to how the tools and equipment will enable them to meet demand, adhere to safety requirements or other regulations, replace outdated or damaged equipment, reach a higher standard of quality or craftsmanship, or realize other professional needs.
- Artistry: Applicant demonstrates sustained commitment to their discipline by way of training, record of artistic achievement/cultural relevance, and quality of work. Panelists will aim to ensure that recommended grantees reflect the diversity of the craft landscape, with a priority for those who are underrepresented or under the radar in the field or their specific discipline.
To that end, the panel will seek to balance the final grantee pool across factors, which include: geography, disciplines, communities served, and cultural form and/or tradition represented.
Refer to the Program Guidelines and FAQ for further details on the review process and criteria.
May 21 from 9:00–10:00 a.m. PT
Note: If you were unable to attend, email us to access the session’s recording and presentation deck!
June 3 from 9:00-10:00 a.m. PT
June 15 from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. PT
June 25 from 1:00–2:00 p.m. PT Register Here
Note: These are not formal presentations, nor will they be recorded. Office Hours are an opportunity to have your questions addressed by CCI staff in real time. We ask that you review the grant guidelines, application preview, and Frequently Asked Questions in advance to ensure everyone’s time is used efficiently.
CCI staff are here to help and listen. For assistance, please email us at grants@cciarts.org (include Investing in Artists: Tools and Equipment in the subject line) or call 415.288.0530. You may also schedule a time to speak here.
For Deaf applicants and those with hearing loss, contact CCI using the California Relay Service—our staff is trained in making and receiving these calls.
If you need technical assistance (e.g., password or upload issues), request support at: https://www.submittable.com/help/submitter/. Submittable’s business hours are 9 am – 5 pm MT. They aim to respond within 24 business hours.
Refer to this Submittable Quick Tips for additional support!
*In Year Three (2026) of Investing in Artists: Tools & Equipment, we are welcoming applicants from 17 States that span three time zones. The table below displays the day, date, and time of the application deadline depending on your location.
Application are due Friday, June 26, 2026.
Deadlines times vay by time zone.
ConnecticutDelawareThe District of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaMaineMarylandMassachusettsNew HampshireNew JerseyNew YorkNorth CarolinaPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaVermontVirginia
There are no eligible states in these time zones for this year's round
There are no eligible states in these time zones for this year's round
Funders
The Investing in Artists: Tools and Equipment grant program is made possible with support from:
The 2026 Investing in Artists: Tools & Equipment Grant program is supported by a network of promotional partners:
