Who is eligible to apply?

To be eligible for the Self-directed Art Practice (SAP) Grant, you must be one of the following:

• an U.S. military active-duty service member, guardsman, reservist, or veteran
• a spouse or registered domestic partner of a U.S. military active-duty service member, guardsman, reservist, or veteran
• a child (at least 18 years old) of a U.S. military active-duty service member, guardsman, reservist, or veteran

In addition, you must:

• be a current Washington State resident
• be pursuing an art practice (Visual arts, literary arts, dance, music, theatre, media arts*, traditional/folk arts)
• have an SWV (Statewide Vendor) number to receive grant funds from the state. An SWV number is not required to apply but must be registered and up to date before funds are given. An SWV number can take up to three weeks to be assigned. If you have received payment from Washington State in the past, it is likely you already have an SWV number. You can check on the status of your SWV number by using the vendor number lookup. 

* For the purposes of this grant “media arts” can mean projects presented via film, television, radio, audio, video, the Internet, interactive and mobile technologies as an artistic medium, video games, immersive and multi-platform storytelling, and satellite streaming.

Required Documents and Information:

Required Document(s)

Upload the appropriate document to confirm your military connection: 

U.S. military active-duty service member, guardsman, reservist:

• Department of Defense Identification Card—Common Access Card (CAC) or a Uniformed Services ID Card

U.S. military veteran: 

• DD-214, or State-issued ID (driver’s license) with a Veteran designation, or VA issued Veteran ID Card

Spouse or Child of U.S. military active-duty service member, guardsman, reservist: 

• Department of Defense Dependent ID Card

Spouse of U.S. military veteran:

• Veteran documentation (DD-214 and/or VA ID Card); State-issued ID, AND marriage certificate

Child of U.S. military veteran: 

• Veteran documentation (DD-214 and/or VA ID Card) AND birth certificate. Applicant must submit copy of marriage certificate if veteran is a stepparent not listed on birth certificate. 

Eligible Uses for Grant Funds:

• Use of Funds: Grant recipients must use the funds for costs incurred from January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024. Funds must be spent by June 30, 2024. ArtsWA can make no exceptions to this deadline.
• Reimbursement: The approved grant funds will be disbursed in two equal installments in around February and April of 2024. The payments will be contingent on the attendance of the first and the last class of the Design Thinking for Creative Expression online class. This is an 8-week class where SAP Grantees will be learning strategies for tracking and completing their art projects.

• Documentation: Grant recipients must track expenses, keep clear and precise records and receipts, and provide additional appropriate and timely documentation if requested.

• Final Report: Grant recipients must complete a questionnaire about their experience by July 31, 2024.

These grants pay for costs associated with taking time to practice art throughout the approved grant period. These costs could include:

• in-state travel
• artist workshop or retreat fees
• art supplies
• childcare
• living allowance not to exceed 20 percent of the total awarded grant amount

Grant Funds May NOT Be Used For:

• Travel outside of Washington State
• Contest fees
• Tuition assistance for college, university or other formal course of study that generates course credit
• Purchase of permanent equipment ($5,000 and up) or real property
• Costs and/or activities outside the current grant period (January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024)
• Costs and/or activities that have occurred prior to the period designated by the grant guidelines
• Previous losses incurred by the individual
• Costs and/or activities that have already received state appropriations (for example, an applicant may not use these grants funds for costs that are already being funded by a different state agency)

Grant applications can be completed and submitted online at any time between the morning of October 16, 2023 and November 27, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. PST.

We will make no exceptions regarding the application deadline.

ArtsWA will accept applications online through Submittable. If you do not have a Submittable account, you will be prompted to register prior to accessing the online application. Submittable recommends using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari as web browsers.

Please take your time when completing the application. Your work will be automatically saved as you move through the questions if you are connected to the internet. The application does not need to be completed in one sitting.

After the closing date of November 27, 2023, applications will be reviewed, and final determinations will be made. Applicants will be notified of their application status, as well as next steps, starting on January 1, 2024.

Make sure that the contact email you provide is appropriate for receiving emails from ArtsWA.

SAP Grant FAQ

Tips for Successful SAP Grant Applications