Liu Shiming Artist Grants 2026 — an international grant of $5,000 per project for emerging artists
The beginning of a professional career is often one of the most challenging stages in an artist’s development. After the first exhibitions and publications, there is a desire to realise more ambitious ideas, yet opportunities for funding remain limited. This is precisely the stage that Liu Shiming Artist Grants 2026, offered by the Liu Shiming Art Foundation, aims to support.
The program helps artists develop new projects and explore connections between contemporary artistic practices, cultural heritage, history, and personal experience. Each year, the foundation selects up to five artists who receive a $5,000 grant to realise a new project. Applications are open to artists from any country in the world, and all materials must be submitted in English.
Who Can Apply
The grant is intended for artists at an early stage of their professional careers.
Applicants must either:
— have received a degree in fine arts between 2016 and 2024;
— or have held their first gallery exhibition or participated in a juried art exhibition between 2016 and 2026.
The foundation is looking for artists who have been actively working for approximately two to ten years and are in the process of developing their own artistic practice and professional voice.
What Selected Artists Receive
Each selected artist receives $5,000 to create a new project.
The grant is paid in two installments:
— $3,000 before the project begins;
— $2,000 after the project is completed and final materials are submitted.
The funding is specifically intended to support artistic development and the creation of new work.
What Projects Are Supported
The foundation supports projects that explore connections between contemporary art and broader cultural, historical, or social contexts.
Particular interest is given to projects dealing with:
— cultural memory;
— historical heritage;
— personal and collective narratives;
— traditions and their contemporary reinterpretation;
— questions of identity and transformation.
The program is open to artists working in a wide range of visual media and artistic practices.
Why It Is Worth Considering
One of the strongest aspects of the program is its international accessibility. Although the foundation is based in the United States, applications are accepted from artists worldwide, making the grant accessible to authors working in regions with limited opportunities for funding contemporary art.
It is also important that the program focuses not on already established art-market stars, but on artists who are actively developing their practice, exploring new projects, and seeking opportunities for professional growth. For this reason, the selection process evaluates not only past achievements but also the potential of the proposed idea.
For many artists, receiving this grant can become not only a source of financial support but also an important professional recognition that strengthens future applications for exhibitions, residencies, and international opportunities.
How the Selection Process Works
After the application deadline, all materials are reviewed by an expert panel composed of members of the professional arts community.
Selected artists will be notified by email by December 2, 2026, after which the supported projects will begin.
The deadline for applications is 31 August 2026.
