Telluride Arts | Grant Programs + Artist Fund

Featured: Brooke Eindebender's 'Light Networks' a public art installation from 'The Unknown Zone' Photo Credit: Kyle Wavra

Telluride Arts | Grant Programs

Small Grants

Since its incePhoto Credit: Kirk Drogsvold
A piece from his 3D Mandala series for creative community engagementption in 1999, Telluride Arts' Small Grants for Artists Program has played a vital role in supporting local talent across all artistic disciplines. Beginning as a collaboration between the Town of Telluride and Telluride Arts, this program has invested in over 300 artists over the past 25 years.

With the ongoing generosity of Telluride Arts' donors and the Town of Telluride, we are excited to announce significant changes for the upcoming grant cycle. These enhancements reflect our ongoing commitment to building a more equitable, impactful, and sustainable creative community.

Key Changes to the Small Grants Program in 2025:

1. Increased Funding: We are increasing the available funding by 50%. This increase will enable more artists to access the resources they need to realize their projects, and have a broader positive impact within the community. 

2. Funding Allocation: Grants will be awarded in sums ranging from $500 to $2,500 with the opportunity to apply for phased funding, depending on the scale of the project.

3. More Equitable Process: To ensure the process is equitable for all, a new blind review process will be implemented, ensuring that the selection committee evaluates applications without knowing the identity of the artist. This will help foster a more impartial and unbiased experience.

4. Focus Areas for Funding: The upcoming grant cycle will emphasize projects in the following areas: Brooke Eindbender in the creative flow of 'The Unknown Zone'

   • Community Impact: Youth (Open to applicants 13+) | Adults (18+) | Latino/Indigenous Communities
   • Public Art: Projects that engage the public and enhance the community’s cultural landscape.
   • Personal and Professional Development: Supporting artists in advancing their skills, growing their careers, and expanding their professional networks.

5. New Application Process: To better support artists, the program will feature a two-part application process:

   • Letter of Intent (LOI): All applicants will begin by submitting a Letter of Intent, which will undergo a blind review. Feedback will be provided to all applicants, even if their LOI is not selected. This ensures that everyone receives constructive input on their project ideas.
   • Invitation to Apply: Applicants who are invited to submit a formal application will have the opportunity to apply for phased funding, depending on the scope and nature of their project. This will allow for tailored support that better aligns with the artist’s needs.

Flash Grants

Flash Grants are intended to support local artists bring art to the community in small but impactful ways. The application process is simple, with a swift turnaround, allowing artists to execute projects with immediate community impact.

Photo Credit: Between the CoversMeghan Pittenger, author & illustrator of The Wheels on the GooseWhat Flash Grants Support:

Flash Grants support short-term, high-impact projects that contribute to the vibrancy and cultural experience in Telluride. Funded projects include, but are not limited to:

• Site-specific performances
• Artist-led workshops and educational activities
• Temporary public art installations
• Program supplies for creative projects
• Professional development opportunities for artists

Grant Details:

• Award Amounts: Grants are available in sums ranging from $100 to $350, depending on the scale of the project and available funding.
• Rolling Application: Flash Grants are awarded on a rolling basis, so you can apply whenever an opportunity arises, and funding is available.
• Simple Application Process: The application process is streamlined to make it easy for artists of all mediums to access funding quickly. - Submissions will be reviewed by the grant committee, and decisions made promptly based on availability of funds and the project's alignment with the program goals.

Impactful Grant Projects:

Telluride Arts has proudly supported a wide array of incredibly talented artists in recent years, including:

• Photo Credit: Britt Bradford
  A studio preview of Britt Bradford's body of work 'Magnum Opus', prior to exhibition
  Kirk Drogsvold's "3D Mandalas for Creative Community Empowerment"
• Meghan Pittenger's children’s book The Wheels on the Goose
• Birds of Play's studio albums Murmurations, Vol. 1 &2
• Brooke Eindbender's 'The Unknown Zone', a series of multi-dimensional doors used in public art installations
• Britt Bradford's 'Magnum Opus', based on the alchemical process of transmutation
• Jill Wilson [author] + Abby J Fox [illustrator] books, Telluride Alphabet and Telluride 1,2,3 [a bilingual book]

Thank you for your support of Telluride Arts and the artists who make this community so vibrant!

Photo Credit: Between the Covers
Jill Wilson, author of The Telluride AlphabetBirds of Play working their magic in the studio