Call for Entries: Anonymous Was A Woman Environmental Art Grants (US)

Projects should not only point at problems, but aim to engage an environmental issue at some scale. Proposals should illustrate thorough consideration of a project’s ecological and social ethics.

Funding Information

• For the 2025 cycle, the program will distribute over $520,000 in funding.
• The Anonymous Was A Woman Environmental Art Grants (AWAW EAG) provides grants of up to $20,000 to environmental art projects led by women-identifying artists in the United States and U.S. Territories.

Eligible Projects

• The intended impact of the project is an important factor in the selection process. Environmental art projects that qualify for this program may focus on the following themes, but are not limited to:
  • Regeneration
  • Eco-social engagement
  • Decarbonization as decolonization
  • Ecofeminism
  • Climate change/climate collapse
  • Systems-restoration
  • Interspecies relationships
  • Natural or built systems
  • Recycling and repurposing
  • Clean energy production
  • Bioplastics
• The funded project or phase of the project must be completed by August 2026. The AWAW EAG is seeking to advance existing projects that are already in development to complete a project in full or to complete a phase of a project. New projects are not eligible to apply.
• Projects must have a public engagement component that is free to attend and takes place within the grant term (August 2025 to August 2026).
• Funds must be used to complete the project outlined in the application form. Funds may be reallocated as necessary to complete the project.

Eligibility Criteria

• Identify as a woman and/or female, including trans women and people of variable gender identities who were designated female at birth
• Be 18 years or older on or before the grant deadline
• Be an individual artist who is the project lead of the proposed project
  • Collaborative projects are eligible and encouraged to apply
  • While partnerships with organizations are allowed, organizations themselves cannot apply or serve as the lead applicant
• Have residence in one of the 50 states, a Tribal Nation, a U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia on the grant deadline
• Not be enrolled in a degree-seeking program of any kind during the grant term (August 2025 to August 2026)
• Not have received an AWAW EAG previously as the lead applicant
  • Past recipients of other NYFA and AWAW grant programs are eligible to apply
• Not be a NYFA or AWAW employee, member of the NYFA Board of Trustees or Artists’ Advisory Committee, and/or an immediate family member of any of the above

Evaluation Criteria

• Eligible applications are reviewed and scored by a panel based on the following evaluation criteria:
  • Project Clarity and Feasibility
    • The project concept and logistics are clearly described. Key participating artists and collaborators are identified and their roles are clearly defined.
    • The timeline and budget are clear and realistic in relation to the project’s scope.
    • AWAW EAG is seeking to advance existing projects that are already in development. What stage is the project in development and how will the applicant use these funds towards the next phase? Milestones should reflect the progress of the project to date.
  • Environmental Impact and Community Engagement
    • The applicant is able to clearly outline the environmental and/or social impact they are trying to affect and how they plan to achieve that impact.
    • Does the scope of the project match the goals for impact? Are the goals for impact feasible?
    • How are the goals for impact communicated to the target audience? How will the project engage its audience?
  • Creativity and Artistic Merit
    • The applicant is able to provide documentation of a sustained commitment to their art practice.
    • An applicant’s artist statement/mission reflects the proposed project’s goals, and is reflected in the quality of their submitted work samples.
    • Work samples should be representative of the applicant’s grant project, and the applicant or their project collaborators must be the originating artists of all work samples submitted.

For more information, visit New York Foundation for the Arts.