Apply
for Appalachian Visionary
Artist Fund
Program Overview
Eligibility and Criteria
The Appalachian Visionary Artist Fund is open to independent artists, collaborative groups, non-incorporated collectives, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, young people, LGBTQ folks, non-English speakers, new immigrants, and those unlikely to receive mainstream funding.
Applicants must be 21 years of age or older and live in the Central Appalachian areas of Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia. The work of the project must take place in Central Appalachia.
Please note: Work must take place in Central Appalachia (CA), and the main contact person must live in CA. If you are working in a collective, the contact person must follow this guideline. We also ask that applicants explain their connection to the region and make a claim as to why it should be them doing the work in the region. We want to understand why it is important for you to do this project in the region.
Application Details
Accepting Applications: June 2 - August 4, 2026
Application Fees: There is no application fee to apply.
Project Proposal Applicant: Project proposals must be submitted by one individual and, if the proposal comes from a Central Appalachian-based artist collective, the individual submitting the application must be the project’s point person, designated to receive all communications and funding distribution.
Artists will be asked to submit an application including the following:
Project title and artist or artist collective bio
Short + Full descriptions of the project (short description: 200 word count maximum + full description: 1,000 word count maximum)
Description of the project’s audience (to be included in the full description)
Proposed timeline (doesn’t have to be confirmed to be included in the full description)
Additional links to websites + image captions
A budget using our provided template
Up to 10 files sized to a maximum of 2MB each with a maximum of two minutes for video file length
Information Sessions
Online Information Session
May 21, 2026
10:00am EST
via Zoom
In-Person Information Session
June 18, 2026
5:00pm EST
Big Stone Gap, VA
Timeline
June 2, 2026: Application opens
August 4, 2026: Applications close
September 2026: Awards announced
Adjudication
The Appalachian Visionary Artist Fund will award $5,000 grants to twelve [12] artists annually. The jury process will be carried out by a panel that changes each year, consisting of artists, curators, and administrators from within the Central Appalachian Region and across the country. The jury process for the first year will be carried out by three jury members from across Central Appalachia, with a previous Appalachian Visionary Arts Fund grantee added in the second year. This panel will also include one curator/ administrator from another Regional Regranting Program. The Selection Committee will begin their review period in August and continue through September with awards announced at the end of September.
Accessibility
To ensure accessibility for all applicants, we are committed to using language that is clear and understandable for various reading levels and language speakers. If applicants need the application in another language, they may submit that request to “Appalachian Visionary Artist Fund” at waymakerscollective@gmail.com.
Additionally, we strive to make our content accessible to applicants who are blind or have vision impairments. We encourage the use of language in videos that support these applicants' needs. If you are using the Submittable platform, please note that Submittable offers a language localization feature that enables you to instantly change the language for buttons, menus, static text, and dialog boxes.
Unable to Submit Your Proposal Online?
For individuals who are unable to submit their proposal online, Waymakers will hire a Program Manager to assist with the application process. The Program Manager will work in collaboration with the Program Committee, which will facilitate the Summer tour sessions and learning gathering workshops. Additionally, a representative from the Appalcore Board will be part of the Program Committee for the grant, ensuring a well-supported and accessible process for all applicants. Applicants who need alternative submission methods can reach out to the Program Manager, who will guide them through the necessary steps.
For inquiries or to submit materials, applicants can
email their responses and/or any questions to:
“Appalachian Visionary Artist Fund inquiry”
at waymakerscollective@gmail.com
or mail physical application materials to:
1270 Caroline St. NE
Ste. D120-353
Atlanta, GA 30307