Organizer Information
The Liu Shiming Art Foundation is an arts-support organisation dedicated to advancing early-career artists working in contemporary Visual Arts. The foundation is established in honor of Liu Shiming, a Chinese sculptor whose practice focused on humanistic expression, figurative sculpture, and cultural storytelling.
The foundation aims to support emerging international talent by providing financial assistance, visibility, and production support to artists at a critical early stage in their careers. Through its grant program, it seeks to encourage experimentation, artistic independence, and cross-cultural exchange within contemporary art practice.
The Artist Grants program reflects the foundation’s broader mission: to sustain artistic development globally while removing financial barriers that often limit early-career creative production.
Title & Description
2026 Liu Shiming Artist Grants – Early Career Visual Arts Funding Program
The 2026 Liu Shiming Artist Grants provide direct financial support to emerging and early-career Visual Arts practitioners worldwide. The program is designed to support artists in developing new work or completing an existing project proposal.
Applicants must propose a clear artistic project, as grants are intended to fund production, research, or creative development within contemporary Visual Arts practice. The program emphasizes artistic potential, conceptual clarity, and professional trajectory rather than commercial success.
The grant is structured as a two-stage financial award distributed over time, allowing artists to sustain their practice while completing their proposed project.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Sculpture
- Painting
- Drawing
- Mixed Media
- Installation
- Contemporary Art Practice
Eligibility
- Open to artists from all countries (International)
- Must submit application materials in English
- Must be early-career visual artists
- Must have either:
- Received a studio arts degree between 2016 and 2024, or
- Had a debut solo or juried exhibition between 2016 and 2026
- No age restrictions specified
- Applicants must be individual artists (not collectives unless otherwise specified in application guidelines)
Program Benefits & Awards
- Total grant funding of $5,000 USD per recipient
- $3,000 disbursed by January 15, 2027
- $2,000 disbursed upon project completion
- Financial support for artistic production and research
- International exposure through foundation-supported selection
- Opportunity to develop and complete a proposed Visual Arts project
- Institutional recognition from a globally oriented arts foundation
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed online application form
- Project proposal outlining intended artistic work
- Artist CV or resume
- Portfolio of recent or relevant works
- Proof of eligibility (degree or exhibition history if requested)
- Supporting materials in English
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 31 August 2026
- Notification Date: 2 December 2026
- First Payment: 15 January 2027 ($3,000 USD)
Location
New York, United States
Additional Details
This grant is specifically designed for early-career artists in the Visual Arts fields who are transitioning from academic training or early exhibition experience into independent professional practice.
The funding is project-based, meaning applicants should clearly define how the grant will support specific artistic development goals. Selection is competitive and based on artistic merit, clarity of proposal, and career trajectory.
All applications must be submitted in English, regardless of the applicant’s country of origin. Successful candidates will be contacted via email.