Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant

The Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant is one of the best-known grants for visual artists. It was set up in 1985 by the painter Lee Krasner to support working artists, and it gives professional painters, sculptors and artists working on paper up to $50,000 for one year. Most grants are around $35,000. There is no deadline: the Foundation accepts applications year-round, and artists from any country can apply.

The money is unrestricted. Grantees can use it for studio rent, materials, living costs or time away from other work, and the Foundation judges applications on artistic merit and on the artist's circumstances. Financial need is not a condition.

The grant is aimed at artists with an established career, so it is not a starting point for emerging artists. Applicants need a clear exhibition history over the past ten years.

Who Can Apply for the Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant?

The grant is open to professional visual artists who work mainly in painting, sculpture or works on paper, including printmaking. Applicants need:

• A minimum of 10 exhibitions in the past 10 years at professional galleries, museums or recognised exhibition spaces
• Work made within the past 10 years
• An established exhibition and award history

International artists are welcome. Citizens or residents of countries on the US sanctions list should contact the Foundation before applying. Two-person collaborations may apply; larger groups may not.

Students are not eligible, and the Foundation does not fund academic study. PhD candidates are not treated as students.

Which Media Are Not Covered?

Artists whose main practice is photography, video or film, performance, graphic or commercial art, illustration, craft, or generative or AI art are not eligible. Small elements of these media are fine inside a painting, sculpture, installation or print practice, as long as they are not the main focus.

Application Fees

There is no fee to apply.

What Does the Grant Cover?

• Amount: up to $50,000, set according to the artist's circumstances; most grants are about $35,000
• Duration: intended to support one year of work
• Use: unrestricted, so it can cover living costs, studio, materials or exhibition costs

Submission Requirements

Applications are made online only; post, email and fax are not reviewed. You need:

• The online application form
• A one-page cover letter stating the purpose, the amount requested and how the money supports your career
• A one-page artist statement describing the ten images
• A CV with your exhibition history
• 10 JPEG images, exactly 2,100 pixels on the longest side; up to two may be details or alternate views
• An image identification list
• Contact details for three professional references

Written documents are uploaded as .doc, .docx or .odt files, and everything must be in English.

Important Rules

• Only one application is allowed in any 24-month period.
• Declined applicants must wait two years from their last submission before applying again.
• Previous grantees must wait two years after their grant period ends.
• A new application must include work not submitted before.

When Will Applicants Be Notified?

Decisions usually take nine months to a year. The Foundation may contact you for more information during the review, so keep your contact details up to date.

Things to Consider

• Check the exhibition count first. Ten exhibitions in ten years is a firm requirement, and group shows at recognised spaces count.
• Ask for a realistic amount. Your cover letter should link the sum to a clear plan for the year.
• Show one body of work. Ten images that belong together make a stronger case than a career survey.
• Plan for the wait. With up to a year to a decision, apply well before the period you want to fund.
• Prepare the images carefully. The 2,100-pixel size is exact, so export files to that size.
• Choose referees who know your work. Curators, gallerists or critics are better than personal contacts.

Apply for the Grant

Interested in applying?

Apply for the Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant

For the full guidelines, FAQ and application form, visit the official Pollock-Krasner Foundation website.

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Last verified: October 13, 2026