Overview

In recognition of efforts that have helped to spark creativity, artistic growth, and collaboration in Great Lakes communities, in 2025, USA is pleased to offer artists and organizations that have received Joyce Foundation Culture Program funding for the commissioning and development of community-based work the opportunity to apply for new unrestricted awards of $9,500 (for individual artists) and $4,000 (for organizations).

Eligibility

Artist applicants must:

• Be 21 years of age or older;

• Be able to receive taxable income in the U.S.;

• Live and be authorized to work in the U.S.;

• Be a currently practicing artist; and

• Be a past or current recipient of commissioning or development support for new, community-based work through the Joyce Foundation Culture Program.

Organization applicants must: 

• Be an organization with a 501(c)(3) public charity designation in good standing;

• Be located in the Great Lakes region, specifically within a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) of Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, or Minneapolis-St. Paul);

• Have an arts-focused mission and/or currently active programming that engages artists and their work; and

• Be a past or current recipient of Joyce Foundation Culture Program funding to directly commission an artist(s) in the development of new, community-based work in the Great Lakes region. 

Please note that United States Artists reserves the right to make final eligibility determinations on a case-by-case basis.

Timeline

June 9, 2025: Application Opens

July 2025 at 11:59pm CT: Application Closes

July - August 2025: Application Review

Fall 2025: Applicants Notified of Decision

Questions? Contact us at initiatives@unitedstatesartists.org.