Short Description:
The Creative Futures Grant are two $5,000 cash prize intended to support projects that Black students in craft may want to do but are not necessarily supported to create at their educational institutions. The grant seeks to move students toward actualizing all the phases of a creative project.
The recipient of the award ward will receive two payments of $2,500 deposited by ACH to a US bank account. The second payment is sent after progress/impact report is submitted.
The Creative Futures Grant is intended to support initiatives that demonstrate innovative models within the recipient’s field of expertise.
BADG hopes the $5,000 grant will be directed towards endeavors that forward the recipient’s craft practice and legacy building by covering expenses related to creation of new work for your thesis exhibition, a permanent public art installation, a body of work outside of your graduate coursework , travel to support research connected to the creation of work, and or the continuation of a project you are already engaged in (as a part of or outside of your school work), but winners are not required to submit their use of the funds for approval.
The Creative Future Grant Award Recipient should note that the award money constitutes taxable income, and should file accordingly.
Projects must be based in craft traditions and can be: creation of new work, thesis exhibition, a permanent public art installation, a body of work outside of your graduate coursework, and travel to support research.
Eligibility:
We are accepting applications from Black-identifying graduate students currently enrolled in MFA programs at US-based institutions. US citizenship is not a requirement for eligibility but you must have a US-based bank account for award disbursement.
Applicable Disciplines: All craft disciplines, including fiber arts, ceramics, furniture/wood working, metalworking/jewelry, glass, paper/book arts and textiles/wearable arts.
This grant is intended for projects celebrating Black diasporic expression and is not for business operations
- Applicants must be able to receive taxable income in the U.S. and report this grant as income. *US bank account is required
- If an applicant has been previously awarded a BADG grant they are not eligible to apply.
Program Benefits or Awards:
Through the Creative Futures Grant, the Black Artists & Designers Guild is providing two $5,000 awards to Black graduate students in Craft to bring their creative projects to fruition.
The Creative Futures Grant is intended to support projects that Black students in craft may want to do but are not necessarily supported to create at their educational institutions. The grant seeks to move students toward actualizing all the phases of a creative project.
Entry Fee: none
Location: United States
Deadline:
The application closes on September 22, 2025 at 11:59 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
Announcement of the 2025 Creative Futures Grant Award Recipient will be made
on or before October 28, 2025.
Website link:
https://badguild.info/grant-page
