The DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award provides contemporary visual artists with grants to pursue aspirational projects.
Donor Name: Indy Arts Council
State: Indiana
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/03/2026
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award, offered annually and administered by the Indy Arts Council and funded entirely by the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation, is an artist grant/award program to provide project funding for professional artists in Indiana that promotes, celebrates, recognizes, and rewards innovation. The aim of the program is to recognize contemporary visual artists and support original projects.
Funding Information
The DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award Program will honor up to five contemporary artists with grants of $10,000 each year for aspirational visual arts projects.
Grant Period
Project must occur and conclude within 12 months of execution of signed agreement.
Examples of Award Activities
- Support will be awarded for DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award Program activities occurring within a 12-month period. There is no minimum time frame. Examples of possible projects and initiatives include but are not limited to the following:
- Project activities may be conducted anywhere. Funds may be used for travel, housing, and/or the equipment necessary to conduct proposed activities. Funds may also be used for materials necessary to create artwork in preparation for an exhibition. Awardees will be responsible for making all arrangements and/or purchases for grant activities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Artist Eligibility
- Must be a visual artist, inclusive of art forms such as, but not limited to, painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, textiles, and digital/new media.
- Must have 5 years documented experience demonstrating excellence and innovation (quality solo exhibitions, national exposure and/or experience, critical reviews, residencies, awards, fellowships, juried exhibitions, etc.).
- Must have lived and/or worked in the state of Indiana for a minimum of three consecutive years at the date of application.
- Must reside and/or work in the state of Indiana for at least one year following the conclusion of the award activities.
- Must have generated consistent income over the past five years through your work in the field of visual art.
- Must not have received a DeHaan award within the last 12-months at time of application. Preference is given to artists who have not previously received an award.
- Artwork must be contemporary, meaning the artist is creating innovative, forward thinking, and challenging work that brings something new to the field of visual art.
- Project Eligibility
- Can be either a new or existing project that supports an artist’s professional or creative practice.
- Must be aspirational and innovative.
- Must be able to share the results of the project through submission of a final report.
- Awardees must agree to participate in a professionally curated group show at Gallery 924 at Indy Arts Council, tentatively for October/November 2025.
- Must further the applicant’s artistic endeavors and/or propel their career.
- Must submit at least two work samples for artistic documentation.
For more information, visit IAC.
