The DAG Foundation offers three annual prizes of $20,000 each, aimed at supporting emerging artists in literary arts, musical arts, and visual arts. The foundation seeks to help early-career artists by providing grants to support their creative projects and foster innovation in American art. The prizes are designed to contribute meaningfully to the evolution of their respective art forms by supporting the creation of new works or projects.

Information & Application Details:

  • Application Deadline: March 15, 2025 at 11:59 pm (ET).
  • Prize Amount: $20,000 for each prize (Literature, Music, Visual Arts).
  • Application Materials: Author bio, CV, project description, project excerpt, and other relevant details for the specific prize.
  • Eligibility Criteria: Varies by prize but generally targets early-career artists in the respective fields (prose writers, musicians, or visual artists).
  • Selection Process: Applications are reviewed for eligibility, artistic innovation, and potential to contribute to the evolution of American art in the respective fields. Selection is based on the merit of the proposed project.
  • Submission Method: Applications must be submitted electronically via the DAG Foundation’s application portal

 

1. DAG Prize for Literature

Brief Description: The DAG Prize for Literature is awarded annually to an emerging prose writer who is innovating within American writing. The prize is designed to support the completion of a second book of prose that is already substantially underway.

Eligibility:

  • You must have published one book of prose with a nationally distributed U.S. press.
  • You must aim to publish a second book of prose, written in English, and the project must be substantially underway.
  • Applicants must reside in the U.S.
  • Authors who have been nominated for major national literary awards (e.g., Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award) are not eligible.
  • Self-published or online works do not qualify.

How to Apply:

  • Complete the application by March 15, 2025, at 11:59 pm (ET).
  • Submit an author bio (250 words max), a CV (3 pages max), and a description of your new project (500 words max).
  • Provide an excerpt (25 pages max) of the project.

Program Benefits:

  • $20,000 to support research, writing, editing, workshops, residencies, or other activities facilitating the completion of the project.

 

2. DAG Prize for Music

Brief Description: The DAG Prize for Music supports mid-career musicians, songwriters, or producers whose work enriches and advances the U.S. music scene. The prize aims to fund the creation of significant new music, supporting activities like composing, recording, or producing music.

Eligibility:

  • You must be a working musician, songwriter, or producer with a history of national/international touring or releases on an established label.
  • A significant body of work (touring, songwriting, or production) and a dedicated following (measured by ticket sales, social media, etc.) are required.
  • Applicants must reside in the U.S.
  • Those who have won major music awards (e.g., Grammy) or have a successful commercial release (e.g., platinum records) are not eligible.

How to Apply:

  • Complete the application by March 15, 2025, at 11:59 pm (ET).
  • Provide an application with detailed information about your musical career, your history, and a new project or release.

Program Benefits:

  • $20,000 to support composing, recording, producing, and performing music.

 

3. DAG Prize for Visual Art

Brief Description: The DAG Prize for Visual Art supports emerging artists whose work shows innovation in media, technique, content, or style. This prize is designed to help artists who are developing a new body of work, pushing the boundaries of traditional visual art.

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must have at least two of the following: a small art grant or prize, a residency at a reputable arts colony, an MFA, or a solo/group show at a curated gallery.
  • Artists must have a new project substantially underway.
  • Applicants must reside in the U.S.
  • Those who have received a major art prize or been a finalist for a major award are not eligible.

How to Apply:

  • Complete the application by March 15, 2025, at 11:59 pm (ET).
  • Submit a description of your project, including details about your artistic innovations, and an outline of the project’s timeline.

Program Benefits:

  • $20,000 to support materials, studio space, exhibition costs, and other resources to complete the new visual art project.

 

Contact & Resources:

 

Website Link:

https://dagfoundation.org/the-dag-prize/

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