Grants for Individuals

Our grants for individuals are designed to empower artists and creative entrepreneurs in their personal and professional development. Whether you're looking to advance your artistic career, recover from pandemic-related disruptions, or grow your creative business, we offer a variety of funding opportunities to help you achieve your goals. Explore our grants to find the support that best fits your needs.

  • Lydia McCain Fund Grant to Advance Artist Opportunities

    Provides funding for artists who have a timely opportunity that will help advance their artistic careers.

    Amount: $500 - $2,500

    Source: Endowment

    Eligibility: Erie County residents

    Application Window: Annually| January 1 - March 15

  • Lydia McCain Fund Artist Fellowships

    Provides unrestricted grant support for three artists of varying career levels.

    Amount: $2,000; $3,500; $5,500

    Source: Endowment

    Eligibility: Erie County residents

    Application Window: Annually | July 1 - August 31

  • ARPA Pennsylvania Arts and Culture Recovery (PACR) Grant for Working Artists

    Provides $3,000 grants to artists and creative entrepreneurs who experienced significant pandemic-related income disruptions.

    Amount: $3,000

    Source: Department of Community and Economic Development

    Eligibility: Individuals in Erie, Warren, Crawford, Mercer, Venango, and Lawrence counties

    Application Window: Specific deadlines to be announced annually

  • Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program

    Offers funding and small business consulting to creative entrepreneurs.

    Amount: $2,000

    Source: PCA

    Eligibility: Individuals in Erie, Warren, Crawford, Mercer, Venango, and Lawrence counties

    Application Window: Annually | October 1-December 31

  • Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeships

    Supports partnerships between master artists and apprentices to preserve and develop traditional art forms.

    Amount: Up to $4,000

    Source: Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA)

    Eligibility: Master artist and apprentice partnerships; Apprentices must be Pennsylvania residents

    Application Window: Annually | Application Deadline: April