Short Description
The WFF Housing Stability Grant for Artists supports NYC-based visual artists facing housing insecurity. In its inaugural pilot cycle, five artists will each receive a total of $30,000, disbursed over three years, to help secure stable, affordable housing—whether through obtaining a longer lease, reducing rent obligations, or accessing live/work space. The program is designed to alleviate the pressures of unaffordable rental housing so that recipients can focus on their creative practice and build sustainable careers.
The purpose of this grant is To improve housing stability among NYC-based visual artists by providing financial support for securing reliable housing.
Eligibility
Location: Must reside in one of NYC’s five boroughs
Age: 21 years or older
Residency: At least five consecutive years in NYC (with COVID-related flexibility)
Financial: Adjusted gross income and household asset limits apply
Artistic: Must be a practicing visual artist with a sustained record (at least 7 years)
Emergency Need: Must demonstrate urgent housing instability
Program Benefits or Awards
Financial Support: $30,000 disbursed over three years
Housing Stability: Funds can be used to secure new housing (e.g., reduce rent obligations, secure a long-term lease, or obtain live/work space)
Guidance: Recipients gain access to affordable housing resources via the Entertainment Community Fund
How to Apply:
Submission Platform: Applications must be submitted exclusively via the Submittable platform (registration required for first-time users).
What to Submit:
Housing Status Checklist: A brief description (75 words max) of your current housing circumstances and another (75 words max) on what needs to change
Short Answer Responses: Up to 150 words each addressing:
The urgency of your housing need
The economic severity (e.g., proportion of income spent on housing)
The impact stable housing would have on your creative practice
Financial Information:
Projected annual rent expense for 2025
Projected total income for 2025
Annual adjusted gross income (from your two most recent federal tax returns, including complete 1040 forms and attached schedules, with Social Security numbers redacted)
Approximate total household assets (with a clear breakdown)
Resume/Bio/CV: Demonstrating at least seven years of sustained artistic practice
Certification: A declaration that all provided information is true and accurate
Note: Work samples are not required.
Selection Process:
Step 1: NYFA Grants Staff reviews all submissions for eligibility and completeness.
Step 2: An external review panel assesses eligible applications based on:
The urgency of the housing need
The economic severity of the situation
The potential impact on the artist’s creative practice
Final Selection: Top-scoring applications are then entered into a lottery for the final award due to the limited funds.
Entry Fee:
None
Location:
New York City, USA (specifically within the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, or Staten Island)
Timeline:
Applications Open: Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET
Applications Close: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET
Applicant Notification: Summer 2025
Grant Period: Three years from award date (recipients must maintain NYC residency throughout)
Website link:
https://www.nyfa.org/awards-grants/wff-housing-stability-grant-for-artists/
Apply link:
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