Appalachian Visionary Artist Fund

Appalachian Visionary Artist Fund Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding the Fund

  • The Appalachian Visionary Artist Fund is a regional regranting initiative supported by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and administered by The Waymakers Collective.

    The Appalachian Visionary Artist Fund is intended to support artistic activity outside the studio, encourage collaboration, and foster new connections among artists in Central Appalachia. This will contribute to dynamic new exchanges within the region’s artistic community, build relationships, and enable greater community conversations. It supports visual artists and collectives across Central Appalachia who are creating collaborative, experimental, and public-facing work that expands how art is experienced in the region.

  • This fund exists because artists in Central Appalachia are already shaping culture, conversation, and creative direction.

  • Projects that happen beyond the studio and invite public engagement.

    This includes:

    • Exhibitions or exhibition series

    • Public art projects

    • Performances or screenings

    • Artist residencies

    • Independent art spaces or collectives

    • Publications connected to visual art

    • Digital or online projects

    The project should be something new, expanded, or made possible because of this funding.

Eligibility

  • The fund is open to:

    The fund is open to independent visual artists, artist collectives, and collaborative groups working across Central Appalachia  (West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia).

    We welcome applications from artists with a wide range of lived experiences, creative practices, and perspectives, including those who may not have had consistent access to traditional funding or institutional support.

    Applicants must be 21 years or older and live in the eligible region.

  • All projects must take place within the Central Appalachian Region, including:

    • Designated counties in Kentucky - (54 counties): Adair, Bath, Bell, Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Casey, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Edmonson, Elliott, Estill, Fleming, Floyd, Garrard, Green, Greenup, Harlan, Hart, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Lincoln, McCreary, Madison, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Robertson, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Wayne, Whitley, and Wolfe

    • Designated counties and independent cities in Virginia - (25 counties): Alleghany, Bath, Bland, Botetourt, Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Henry, Highland, Lee, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, Rockbridge, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe. 

      The following independent cities in Virginia are also within the Appalachian Region and are merged with an adjacent or surrounding county for the purposes of data analysis and grant management: Bristol (Washington County), Buena Vista (Rockbridge County), Covington (Alleghany County), Galax (Carroll County), Lexington (Rockbridge County), Martinsville (Henry County), Norton (Wise County), and Radford (Montgomery County)

    • The entire state of West Virginia - (55 counties): Barbour, Berkeley, Boone, Braxton, Brooke, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Grant, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Marshall, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mineral, Mingo, Monongalia, Monroe, Morgan, Nicholas, Ohio, Pendleton, Pleasants, Pocahontas, Preston, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph, Ritchie, Roane, Summers, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur, Wayne, Webster, Wetzel, Wirt, Wood, and Wyoming

    Work must take place in Central Appalachia (CA). Applicants must live in the region and demonstrate a clear connection to it. If you are working in a collective, the contact person must follow this guideline.

Support + Accessibility

  • Applicants who cannot submit online will be supported by a Program Manager who can assist with alternative submission methods, including email or physical mail.

  • Yes. Application materials can be requested in different languages, and accessibility considerations are built into the process.

  • Yes. The fund includes:

    • Learning sessions on budgeting, taxes, and proposal development

    • Digital security and safety training

    • Branding and design support

    • Ongoing community check-ins and shared learning spaces

Application Process

  • Applicants will submit:

    • Project title and artist or collective bio

    • Short and full project descriptions

    • Description of the project’s audience

    • Proposed timeline

    • Supporting materials (images, video, or links)

    • A project budget

    Applications must be submitted by one designated individual, even for collective projects.

  • No. There is no cost to apply.

    • Application Period: June 2 – August 4

    • Review Period: August – September

    • Grantee Announcement: Late September

  • Applications are reviewed by a rotating jury panel comprising of artists, curators, and arts professionals.

    Each application is scored, discussed, and considered through both individual review and collective deliberation.

Funding + Logistics

  • Twelve [12] artists or collectives are awarded $5,000 each year — totaling $60,000 in annual funding.

    • 75% is distributed after acceptance and documentation

    • 25% is distributed after project completion and final reporting

  • Funded projects operate on a one-year cycle from the date of award.

Small early spring bud of an Appalachian flower
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