Organizer Information
Artists & Mothers is a New York City-based nonprofit organization with a critical mission: to provide essential support to emerging and mid-career artists who identify as mothers. The organization recognizes the immense and often prohibitive challenges—both financial and logistical—that artists face in balancing the demands of raising young children with the necessity of maintaining a rigorous and professional artistic practice. Too often, mothers are expected to pause their careers due to the high cost and limited public options for childcare, especially for children under the age of three. Artists & Mothers was founded to address this systemic issue directly, offering targeted grants that support an artist's personal and professional development at a crucial inflection point in their career. The organization views this support as a vital investment in the diversity and sustainability of the contemporary art world.
Title & Description
The Artists & Mothers Childcare Grant Program
This grant opportunity is a direct financial award for childcare expenses, designed to support contemporary artists who identify as mothers living in New York City. The core purpose is to provide the time and space required for recipients to sustain their artistic commitment and creative work during the demanding early years of parenthood. Awardees receive a substantial, unrestricted grant to be used specifically for childcare services with a provider of their choosing. This critical support alleviates the significant financial burden and logistical compromise that often hinders professional growth, ensuring that artists can continue to develop their practice, exhibit their work, and engage fully with their careers without sacrificing their role as primary caretakers. The program prioritizes artistic merit, financial need, and building a diverse cohort of artist-mothers.
Categories
The program is open to contemporary artists across a wide range of media and disciplines. Eligible forms include, but are not limited to: Visual Art (Painting, Sculpture, Installation), New Media, Performance Art, and Socially-Engaged Forms. Applicants must demonstrate a professional commitment to their chosen practice and a history of exhibitions or equivalent professional engagements.
Eligibility
- Geographic Requirement: Applicants must currently live in one of the five boroughs of New York City, USA.
- Identity Requirement: Applicants must identify as a mother.
- Child Age Requirement: Applicants must have at least one child three years of age or younger as of December 31, 2026.
- Professional Standing: Working artists must demonstrate a professional commitment of at least five years to their practice and must possess an exhibition history.
- Citizenship/Residency: Applicants must hold US Citizenship or Permanent Legal Resident status.
- Designation: The program is specifically targeted towards supporting emerging and mid-career artists.
Program Benefits & Awards
The primary benefit is a direct financial grant of $25,000.
- Cash Award: The $25,000 grant is intended to cover approximately nine months of childcare expenses.
- Flexibility: Funds are given directly to the grantees to be used with a licensed or unregistered childcare provider of their choice, ensuring maximum flexibility to meet individual family needs.
- Career Support: The award provides essential time and financial relief, allowing the artist to dedicate herself to her professional career development.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Applicants are required to submit materials that clearly demonstrate their professional commitment and artistic quality. The application typically includes, but may not be limited to, the following elements:
- Personal Information and Demographic Details (including proof of residency and citizenship status).
- Artist Statement and/or a detailed project proposal demonstrating commitment to the artist's practice.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing educational background, professional experience, and exhibition history (a minimum of five years of professional commitment is required).
- Portfolio/Sample Artworks (e.g., high-resolution images, video links, or writing samples) to demonstrate artistic merit.
- Financial Need Statement (to establish need for childcare support).
- Information regarding the child’s age and residency.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 2 January 2026
- Notification Date: April 2026
- Public Announcement of Recipients: June 2026
- Funds Dispersed to Grantees: September 2026
Location
New York City, United States
Additional Details
The selection process is rigorous, conducted by an invited jury of respected arts professionals. The criteria for selection are weighted across three main categories: Artistic Merit, documented through the portfolio and exhibition history; Financial Need, recognizing the significant expense of childcare; and a commitment to Diversity within the selected cohort. Applicants are encouraged to review the full Grant Guidelines on the organization's website before applying. All application-related inquiries should be directed to the organization via email at info@artistsandmothers.org.
