Application period: April 1-June 1, 2026
Decisions announced: July 2026
Project completion deadline: June 30, 2027
The Santa Fe Arts Commission is pleased to announce the “Art is the Solution” program for 2026-27. This annual funding awards $10,000 each to six arts and culture projects that culminate in a public engagement for residents and visitors of Santa Fe.
Theme
This year, the theme is Coping with Chaos. We invite artists, artisans, and creative innovators to explore how their work responds to the current global and national moment and what it means to adapt during a moment of sustained disruption, whether politically, socially, or culturally.
Artists might explore what it means to cope: to find footing on unstable ground, to process uncertainty through making, and to locate resilience within themselves and/or in their communities and surroundings. How do you respond to the chaos of this moment?
Project examples might include artworks, murals, public art installations, workshops, public gatherings, performances, exhibits, publication projects such as zines, books, or anthologies, multimedia work, collaborative/interdisciplinary partnerships, screenings, readings, and many other possible forms, as long as they have a public exhibition and/or engagement. If it suits the medium, the Community Gallery may be available as a gathering space or as a venue for exhibitions, demonstrations, and talks.
Potential applicants should carefully read the requirements to ensure they are able to meet them, if funded.
Grants Available:
Six (6) grants of $10,000 each will be awarded to support innovative and impactful art projects.
Eligibility Requirements:
1. Residency: Artists must be residents of Santa Fe County.
2. Artists may apply as individuals or small teams of individuals. If applying as a group of two or more, a lead artist should submit the application and will serve as the point person for receiving funding and carrying out the project.
3. Project Location: Projects must take place within Santa Fe City or County. Note that if your project is site-specific, you must ensure you have permission to conduct your project on that site.
4. Project Timeline: All project recipients will present to the Arts Commission in January 2027 on their progress and all projects must be completed, with a public presentation scheduled, by June 30, 2027.
5. Public Engagement: Projects must include a component that engages the public, ensuring accessibility and community involvement. If your project engages a specific community (for example, minor youth), you must ensure you have specific consent and agreement for their participation.
6. Reapplication Rule: Previous recipients of Art Is the Solution funding must wait two years before applying again. This includes solo applicants and team applicants. Applicants who have not received funding previously are welcome to apply every cycle. You may also reapply with the same project, or a modified version of it, if the project has not already been awarded through this program.
7. AI guidelines: We understand generative AI can be a useful tool in drafting. You should not rely on it to generate your project or write your entire proposal.
Ineligible Applicants:
- City of Santa Fe-operated programs.
- Current Arts and Culture Department-funded projects.
- City of Santa Fe employees and appointees.
- Nonprofit organizations and LLCs. This funding is exclusively for individual artists.
Evaluation Criteria:
Project Description and Artistic Concept (40 points):
How well does the project respond to the “Coping with Chaos” call? Is the concept original and creatively compelling? How feasible is the project in the timeline and budget presented?
Artistic Quality (40 points):
Demonstrated proficiency and skill in the chosen medium.
Community Engagement (20 points):
Evidence of a plan for accessible, well-designed public engagement, exhibition, and/or presentation that takes into account the diverse community of Santa Fe.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted online via this form by the deadline of June 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM MDT. No late applications will be accepted. Allow extra time for possible technical issues.
· The Arts Commission will review and score all applications in June.
· Semifinalists will be invited to a 15-minute interview with members of the Commission.
· Six finalists will be approved by the Arts Commission and publicly announced in July.
Questions?
IRL: Meet us at Vital Spaces, 3140 Cerrillos Road, on Thursday, April 23, 5:30-7pm. We’ll walk you through the application process and share best practices and tips for strong grant applications—useful for Art is the Solution and beyond!
ONLINE: We will hold a free informational meeting on Zoom on May 4, 2026. Slides and FAQs will be available afterward.
ANYTIME: You may contact the Arts & Culture Department staff at artsandculture@santafenm.gov.
NO LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. No exceptions. Apply early and allow time to resolve technical complications.