Lydia McCain Fund

Amount: $500 - $2,500

• Source: Endowment

• Eligibility: Erie County residents

• Application window: January 1 - March 15

• Grant activity period: June - May

• Notification Date: May 30

• Portfolio development

• Professional third-party services (e.g., representation, marketing, photography, web development, accounting)

• Materials and supplies

• Equipment lease or purchases

• Facilities/studio rental

• Travel

• Workshop/conference registration fees

• Fees related to artist residencies

• Transportation/shipping of work for exhibition/display

• Reimbursement for expenses incurred for activities occurring within the identified activity period

• Expenses related to any degree-granting program

• Activities that have already taken place or will take place outside of the grant period

• Living expenses not tied to a specific project or opportunity (e.g., rent, utilities)

• Erie Arts and Culture arts-in-education teaching artist residency host site match

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• Must be a practicing artist creating original work with a demonstrated commitment to advancing their professional creative career

• Must be a legal resident of Erie County

• Must not have received a Lydia McCain Grant to Advance Artist Opportunities in the past three years

• Eligible for a maximum of three Lydia McCain Grants to Advance Artist Opportunities in a lifetime

• Must not have any overdue grant reports from past funding cycles administered by Erie Arts and Culture

• Must not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, national origin, handicap, sexual orientation, marital status, gender, or gender identity

• Artist Statement, Bio, and CV

• Opportunity Analysis: Describe the opportunity, its time sensitivity, and its impact on your career

• Budget: Outline the full cost of the opportunity, how you will cover any shortfall, and specific costs to be covered by the grant

• Work Samples: Provide samples of your work or links to your portfolio, website, or relevant media

• Engagement with Erie Arts and Culture: Detail any previous interactions with Erie Arts and Culture’s capacity building services

• Opportunity Analysis (50%)

  • Clarity and relevance of the opportunity

  • Impact on career growth and artistic practice

  • Time sensitivity of the opportunity

• Budget Analysis (25%)

  • Detailed and compliant budget

  • Justified use of grant funds

• Work Analysis (20%)

  • Quality and commitment demonstrated in the portfolio

• Additional Analysis (5%)

  • Previous engagement with Erie Arts and Culture

Virtual information sessions will be held to assist applicants. Specific dates for these sessions will be announced on our social media pages and via email.

EAC staff review for eligibility, a panel of industry experts scores applications and makes a funding recommendation. The Programs Committee approves that recommendation and presents it to the Board of Directors for final approval.