May and June are shaping up to be heavy-hitting months for funding. Whether you are looking to paint a massive public mural, grow your creative business, or fund art that sparks social change, there is money on the table right now.
Here is your master list of upcoming grant deadlines with the full link addresses to help you apply:
For the Public Art Visionaries: Abbey Mural Prize
If you have a vision for a public mural that captures community history or civic engagement, this is for you. The National Academy of Design awards these prizes specifically for the creation or restoration of public murals in the U.S.
- Deadline: May 15, 2026
- Focus: Social justice, community history, or civic engagement.
- Link: https://nationalacademy.org/the-academy/grants-and-fellowships/abbey-mural-prize
For the Change Makers: Leeway Transformation Award
This is a heavy hitter. The Leeway Foundation offers a $15,000 unrestricted award for women, trans, and non-binary artists whose work has been creating long-term social change for five years or more.
- Stage 1 Deadline: May 15, 2026
- Award: $15,000 (Unrestricted!)
- Link: https://www.leeway.org/grants/leeway_transformation_award
For the Entrepreneurs: Simply Business “Big Dreams” Grant
Running a small business is expensive. Simply Business is looking to fund those “big dreams” with a $5,000 grant to help a small business owner take that next major step.
- Deadline: May 24, 2026
- Award: $5,000
- Link: https://www.simplybusiness.com/campaign/bigdreamsgrant/
Regional Spotlight: NW PA & State-Wide Funding
Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program (CEAP) Our friends at Erie Arts & Culture are still accepting applications for the CEAP grants. If you are a creative in NW PA looking to grow your business, this $2,000 grant is a perfect stepping stone.
- Status: Applications Open Now
- Award: $2,000
- Link: https://www.erieartsandculture.org/pennsylvania-council-on-the-arts-creative-entrepreneur-accelerator-program-ceap
Creative Catalyst Grant (PA Council on the Arts) This is a quarterly grant intended to strengthen the creative sector through project-based funding. If you have a project that benefits the broader community or creative economy, get your materials ready for the June window.
- Deadline: June 12, 2026
- Link: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/coa/resources/due-dates-for-grants
Grant writing is a muscle. The more you do it, the stronger you get. Even if you don’t feel “100% ready,” the process of organizing your artist statement and budget for these applications is an investment in your career.
If you need a second pair of eyes on an application, bring it to our next meeting on May 26th at The Fallen Shoppe!
Stay creative,
Rafi & Klee
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