Deadline December 01, 2026 Closes in about 1 month Easy Application

Artist Call for Entry

Elder Art Initiative

Presented by Office of the Arts

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Elder Art Initiative

About this call

The William Kent Art Foundation is dedicated to celebrating and supporting elder artists aged 60 and above. Too often, an artist’s lifetime of work goes unrecognized, and these vital cultural contributions fade away unseen.

Guided by William Kent’s wishes, the Foundation is committed to recognizing elder artists who have faced hardship or barriers to sharing their work. The Foundation supports their creative journey, helps them gain recognition, and provides new spaces where their art can be appreciated—sparking creativity in people’s lives across generations.

The William Kent Art Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) established 02/02/2024. Prior to becoming a non-profit, the organization operated as a Charitable Trust upon Kent’s passing in 2012, The mission remains the same as stated in Kent’s final wishes to continue to exhibit, sell, or donate the work of William Kent and provide funding to Elder Artists experiencing financial difficulties. The William Kent Art Foundation is ready to fulfill William Kent’s Legacy by offering a grant to Connecticut Elder Artists. To learn more visit williamkentfoundation.org

This grant provides crucial financial assistance to professional artists 60 and older specializing in innovative print making, painting, or sculpture. It aims to sustain their creative practices and preserve their artistic legacies.

The Connecticut Office of the Arts is providing support to the William Kent Art Foundation through the Call for Entry and review process. 

Award Info

Funding is currently available for up to four (4) $5,000 grants. One or more of these grants will be awarded in late 2026 with additional awards in 2027. Funding is made possible through the sales of William Kent’s artwork and through contributions made to the Foundation to support the Elder Art Initiative. In addition to the four upcoming grants, this Call for Entry will serve as a roster of artists for the William Kent Art Foundation to review for future grant awards.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Artists must be Connecticut residents.
  • Artists must be professional artists 60 years old or older.
  • Artists must specialize in one or more of the following artistic disciplines: printmaking, painting, sculpture.

For this grant, the Foundation seeks a life-long dedicated artist who treats their practice as a primary career or serious vocation adding to Connecticut’s cultural landscape and have a defined intent, rather than a hobby. Eligible applicants are in the mature phase of their artistic careers, maintaining an active studio practice and demonstrating advanced technical skills. To the best of their capacity they actively participate in the art market and earn income through exhibitions, sales, or commissioning of their work. 

Financial Need Definition
Financial assistance is defined as a documented gap between an applicant's available resources and the capital required to sustain their practice. This funding directly supports artists whose personal resources fall short of their operational and creative needs and goal of Legacy. Grant income is taxable and may have reporting obligations with the receipt of this award. Consult your tax professional as needed. 

Ineligibility
The following mediums and practitioners are not eligible for this funding: 
  • Commercial and Applied Artists: Illustrators, graphic designers, industrial designers, and fabricators who do not produce independent fine art. 
  • Hobbyists and Students: Casual practitioners, amateur creators, and students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs at the time of application. 
  • Incompatible Mediums: Artists whose primary body of work relies strictly on digital art, photography, performance art, film, or video installations.

Application Requirements


Applicants must meet at least three (3) of the following requirements:
  • Exhibition History: A proven track record of exhibiting work in curated solo or group exhibitions at professional galleries, museums, or established non-profit art spaces.
  • Market Engagement: Active involvement in the contemporary art market through sales, commissions, or commercial gallery representation.
  • Professional Recognition: Past receipt of artist grants, awards, fellowships, or selection for competitive artist residencies.
  • Critical Review: Features, reviews, or critiques in reputable art journals, newspapers, or digital art publications.
  • Advanced Training: Rigorous, self-taught technical mastery combined with long-term career dedication. 

Rules and Terms


Review Process 
  • Nominees will be reviewed by The William Kent Art Foundation with the support of the Connecticut Office of the Arts. 
 
Contract/Payment  
  • The William Kent Art Foundation will administer the contract with the awarded artists and issue the grant payment(s). 

Acknowledgements 
  • Grantee agrees to publicize the support of the William Kent Art Foundation on written or digital promotions pertaining to this grant. 
  • Grantee agrees to provide photos for use on the William Kent Art Foundation website. The William Kent Art Foundation will consult with the artist and will work collaboratively to provide appropriate photography that promotes the work and accomplishments of the artist. 

Presented by

Office of the Arts

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