Nice Art Grant 2027 by Midwest Nice Art

The Nice Art Grant is an annual, unrestricted grant from Midwest Nice Art, which shares calls for virtual and in-person exhibitions every two to three months, as well as annual grants. Each cycle, at least two emerging or mid-career artists receive $500 to develop their creative practice. This year there are extra prizes, including a residency and exhibition with Norse Art Space. The application fee is $10, and submissions are due on 20 January 2027. Applicants must be based in the United States.

What You Can Receive

• $500, unrestricted, for at least two winners
• A blog profile of your work and practice, and a post pinned to Midwest Nice Art's profile
• Consideration for future jurying and curatorial opportunities
• A residency and exhibition with Norse Art Space, as an additional prize this year
• Shortlisted artists: automatic acceptance into the annual Nice juried exhibition, with a $50 shipping stipend
• Semi-finalists: 50% off all Midwest Nice Art applications for a year

Who Can Apply for the Nice Art Grant?

Artists aged 18 and over who are located in the United States, at an emerging or mid-career stage. Work can be in any medium and on any subject.

The Jury

The third cycle is juried by Midwest Nice Art co-founders Tim Rickett and Epiphany Knedler, previous winners Hannah Smith and Noah Thomas Miller, and Norse Art Space founders Cody Henrichs and Joe Schaeffer. Winners are asked to help jury the grant the following year.

Fees

The $10 application fee is non-refundable and must be paid by every applicant. Midwest Nice Art says the fees go back into the grant pool and support further opportunities, such as exhibitions, juror fees and education.

How to Apply

Complete the application form on the grant page and pay the fee through Square or the website. Upload a single PDF containing your CV and up to five images of your work, named with your first initial, last name and "niceartgrant".

Tips for Applying

Choose your five strongest images, photographed in high resolution. Make your CV thorough, covering experience, education, awards and exhibitions. Midwest Nice Art's resources page has advice on portfolios and statements.

Is It Worth Applying?

$500 is a modest amount, but the fee is low, the extra prizes add value, and shortlisted artists gain an exhibition. For early-career artists in the US, it is a low-cost way to get work in front of jurors.

About Midwest Nice Art

Midwest Nice Art was co-founded by Tim Rickett and Epiphany Knedler and runs open calls for virtual and in-person exhibitions every two to three months, as well as annual grants like this one. Its calls, jurors and past grant recipients and shortlists are listed on its website, which also has a resources page with advice for artists on portfolios and statements. Looking at past winners is a good way to understand what the jurors respond to.

Why Small Grants Matter

Small, unrestricted grants can pay for materials, framing, a new piece of equipment or the cost of shipping work to a show. They also add a line to your CV and bring your work to the attention of jurors and other artists. For artists at the start of their careers, a modest grant like this can be a first step towards larger funding.

Things to Consider

• US-based artists only.
• $10 fee.
• Five images and a CV.
• Deadline: 20 January 2027.

Apply for the Grant

Ready to apply?

Apply for the Nice Art Grant

The full call and FAQs are on the Midwest Nice Art website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: November 4, 2026