Bloomington, Indiana – Local artists in Bloomington have a fresh opportunity to grow their creative careers as the Bloomington Arts Commission (BAC), in partnership with the City of Bloomington, has announced the launch of its 2025 Artistic Advancement Grant cycle. Applications are officially open, and the BAC is encouraging artists from all disciplines to apply by the deadline on Friday, June 27, 2025.
Previously known as the Emerging Artist Grant, the Artistic Advancement Grant aims to support artists who live and work in Bloomington by providing up to $2,000 in funding. These grants are designed to assist with professional development and artistic work, offering financial support for expenses incurred between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026. Artists may use the grant funds for a wide variety of career-related costs, including supplies, travel, education, or project development.
Artists from a range of disciplines are welcome to apply, including those working in music, visual arts, performing arts, film, architecture, literature, and other recognized creative forms. According to the guidelines, eligible recipients may receive this grant up to two times, and any previous funding through the former Emerging Artist Grant will count toward that limit.
To assist with the application process, the BAC is offering multiple forms of support. An Artist Statement Workshop will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, at the Waldron Art Center, located at 122 S. Walnut St. This session is meant to help applicants refine their statements, a crucial part of the application. Interested artists can register for the workshop at bton.in/Jp3nq.
Additionally, BAC commissioners will be available for one-on-one office hours during the application period. These appointments will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Artists who wish to schedule a session can contact Holly Warren, Assistant Director for the Arts and Staff Liaison to the Bloomington Arts Commission, by email at [email protected] or by phone at 812-349-3418.
For full grant details and to access the online application, artists are encouraged to visit civiform.bloomington.in.gov/programs/artistic-advancement.
With this initiative, the Bloomington Arts Commission continues its mission to support local talent and foster artistic growth throughout the community. As the 2025 grant cycle kicks off, local creatives are invited to take advantage of the resources available and apply for support in advancing their artistic careers.
