This is the application form for The 2026 Kindling Fund. With a focus on risk and experimentation, successful Kindling Fund projects value unconventional engagement, critical dialogue, collaboration, and create new models for presenting artists’ work. The Kindling Fund is administered by SPACE Gallery as part of the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts' Regional Regranting Program, now offered in 39 communities/states/regions.
The full Eligibility and FAQ for applicants is available for reference on the Kindling Fund website.
The Kindling Fund awards project grants ranging from $3,000 - $7,000 (with smaller Research and Development Grants) to Maine-based artists of all career levels, who organize projects that engage audiences and the visual arts in inventive and meaningful ways. The Kindling Fund values and uplifts artistic collaboration (or collaboration with community), applicants seeking support at the $5500-$7000 must have at least one stated core collaborator. This is the twelfth year of artist grantmaking for the Kindling Fund.
In the context of this grant, the visual arts is defined as broadly as possible and includes: photography, video, non-traditional performance, ceramics, earth works, drawing, bookmaking, weaving, crafts, installations, painting, mail art, printmaking, basketry, sculpture, text art or calligraphy, social-engagement, participatory or community driven projects, glass, non-commercial fields of design, and the alternative spaces, artistic collectives, art writing, and artistic platforms that support that work. If you are interested in proposing a project that is not listed and you think of it as a form of visual art, please email kindlingfund@space538.org at least one week before the deadline (November 9th) to give staff time to reply.
Further information about the fund can be found at space538.org and thekindlingfund.org.
*~APPLICATIONS ARE DUE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16th, 2024 at 11:59pm EST*~
No extensions will be granted for the fairness to all applicants.
Tech support: If you are having technical difficulties, please double check your application first. Applications cannot be submitted that go over the word count for each component, are missing required questions, try to submit after the deadline, or have unsupported file uploads. Please use Submittable tech support. Full screenshots of any tech issues are required for any tech issue consideration with the deadline.
Decision notifications will be shared in January 2026.