THRIVE! Grants Application 2025

THRIVE! GRANTS: CALL FOR ARTISTS

Oklahoma visual artists are invited to submit an application for a THRIVE! Grant from the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC). THRIVE Grants aim to further support artists’ innovation throughout Oklahoma with project grants of up to $10,000 for artist-led initiatives. These grants provide support for ambitious, impactful, and innovative visual arts projects that are collaborative and engage the community. Projects can occur across the state of Oklahoma and must be open and accessible to the public.
 

MORE ABOUT THRIVE! GRANTS:

We collaborate with the The Andy Warhol Foundation to further support artists’ innovation throughout Oklahoma with project grants of up to $10,000. THRIVE! Grants build upon our existing dedication to support artist-led initiatives and our belief in the power of artists to create a positive impact in our communities. THRIVE Grants provides funding for collaborative artist-led projects across the state of Oklahoma that are open and accessible to the public. The funded projects are ambitious, impactful, innovative, and community driven visual arts projects. The grants will prioritize artist projects that create new collaborations, connections, and partnerships.

Artists have the option to apply for an Innovator Grant ($5,000) or a Powerhouse Grant ($10,000). We will have recipients within each category. All of the THRIVE! requirements remain the same but the Innovator category will be ideal for individual applicants, smaller teams, and projects that are smaller in scale and budget size. The Powerhouse category will be better suited for projects that are larger in scale, engage multiple collaborators or partners, and/or have larger budgets. If you don't know which category you should apply for, send your inquiry to Ariana@ovac-ok.org, we are happy to answer your questions!
 

ELIGIBILITY:

The proposed project must have a central focus on the visual arts. Artistic practices firmly rooted in dance, theatre, music, or industry filmmaking are not eligible to apply.

• All events associated with your project must take place in Oklahoma and before the end of the funding period.
• The proposed project must have a central focus on the visual arts. Projects firmly rooted in dance, theater, music, or industry filmmaking are not best suited for this grant.
• The proposed project must be publicly accessible and push the boundaries of the traditional exhibition experience. Be sure to think outside the box and think about how the project will engage your audience.
• For collaborative projects, the individual who submits the project proposal will serve as the Lead Applicant.
• The Lead Applicant and the majority of the collaborators must reside in Oklahoma.
• Artists currently enrolled as a student in an MFA/BFA, or are seeking enrollment in the arts during the award year, are not eligible to apply as a Lead Applicant but are allowed to be a collaborator.
• Successful applicants may re-apply after one calendar year of award receipt but must propose a new project or an expansion of previous work. You will not be disqualified for continuing to grow and develop the visual arts of Oklahoma but please note that preference will be shown to creative projects that have not received funding in the past.
• 501c3 organizations or for-profit businesses are not eligible to apply.
• THRIVE! Grants are intended to support unique artist-led projects rather than ongoing or regular programming at a nonprofit organization or for-profit business. If you believe your project may fall into this category, please contact Ariana@ovac-ok.org before submitting your application.

TIMELINE:

April 1 — Applications Open!

May — Virtual Info Session

May — Individual Office Hours by Appointment

June 1 — Application Deadline at 11:59PM CST

July 31 — THRIVE! Grant Applicants Notified

August 2025 - June 2026 — Grant Funding Period
 

REQUIRED COMPONENTS:
  __Contact Information for Lead Applicant 

__Project Title 

__Grant request amount: Innovator ($5,000) or Powerhouse ($10,000) 

__Project Summary

__Bios for Lead Applicant and collaborators 

__Description of audience and community engagement 

__Description of desired outcome and importance of funding 

__Potential or secured venues for public presentation 

__Timeline

__Budget

__Lead Applicant Resume/CV

__Lead Applicant Artist Statement

__Up to 15 images of relevant artwork samples with descriptions or up to 3 URLs for Film/Video 

__Artwork image list (file attachment including title, artist name, and descriptions of each sample) *If adding URLs, please indicate which segments of film/video that would be most relevant for the committee to review. 

__Sketches or concept drawing (optional)
 

QUESTIONS:

Questions are encouraged! Please contact Administrative and Artist Relations Manager, Ariana Weir-Temoshok, at Ariana@ovac-ok.org

ACCESSIBILITY:

For accessibility accommodations for completing your application please contact our Administrative and Artists Relations Manager, Ariana Weir-Temoshok at Ariana@ovac-ok.org or 405-879-2400 ext. 5

We can arrange for artists to fill out a paper application, submit their application through email, and work with artists to provide individualized accommodations.