Career Opportunity Grant Program

The Career Opportunity Grant Program, administered by the Oregon Arts Commission, supports artists and arts practitioners across Oregon in seizing timely and impactful career advancement opportunities. The program is designed to fill a critical gap where stipends or payments from such opportunities often fall short of covering all related costs. Through this initiative, the Commission ensures that practitioners in diverse artistic disciplines can engage fully in career-building activities without the burden of financial limitations. To qualify, the opportunity must be both concrete and of limited duration. It must be accessible only through a selective process involving an invitation, application, or peer review. Examples include exhibitions, performances, artist residencies, workshops, fellowships, and other events where participation represents a meaningful and strategic step in the artist’s career development. The program emphasizes two primary categories of impact: introducing work to new audiences and the development of new skills. This dual focus underscores the Commission's commitment to long-term career sustainability for Oregon artists. Eligible expenses for grant funding include travel, professional service fees, preparation and shipping costs, equipment rentals or purchases, registration fees, childcare, and other necessary expenses that directly support participation in the proposed opportunity. Importantly, applicants may only request support for costs that are directly related to the specified activity. Awards range from $500 to $2,000, with a potential for up to an additional $9,000 from The Ford Family Foundation for established professionals in the visual arts, including curators and writers. The program has two annual deadlines: September 24, 2025, for activities occurring between November 1, 2025, and October 31, 2026, and February 11, 2026, for activities between May 1, 2026, and April 30, 2027. All applicants must be at least 18 years old, not currently enrolled in a degree-granting program, and must have lived in Oregon for at least 12 months prior to the application deadline. Individuals who have received funding through this program in the past three cycles are not eligible. Additional eligibility requirements apply to those seeking supplementary funds from The Ford Family Foundation, including a 36-month Oregon residency and demonstrated professional experience in visual arts-related fields. Applications are assessed based on career impact, artistic merit, and budget appropriateness, each scored out of a total of 100 points. Career impact focuses on the relevance and urgency of the opportunity in relation to the applicant’s goals. Artistic merit considers the quality of the applicant’s work, as evidenced by samples and resumes. Budgets are evaluated for appropriateness and alignment with proposed activities. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the deadline day to be considered. Technical assistance is available to applicants through program coordinators and grant officers. Spanish-speaking support and accessibility accommodations are also offered. For further information or assistance, applicants can contact Ryan Burghard at ryan.burghard@biz.oregon.gov or 971-374-3083. Additional technical help is provided by Kat Bell, Grants Officer, at kat.bell@biz.oregon.gov or 971-304-5044. Funding decisions are informed by review panels and finalized by the Oregon Arts Commission and The Ford Family Foundation.

Clearly define the opportunity, align it with your career goals, and ensure your budget is appropriate and justified.