Financial support is especially important at the stage when an artistic practice has already taken shape, but additional resources are still needed to bring new ideas to life. Liu Shiming Artist Grants was created specifically for artists in this position — those who are actively developing their own path and are ready to take the next step in a new project.

What the Program Offers
Each year, the Liu Shiming Art Foundation awards up to five grants of $5,000 to support new artistic projects. The program supports artists working in contemporary art who explore cultural, historical, and social themes through their creative practice. At the same time, applicants are not restricted to specific media or disciplines, leaving room for individual approaches and experimentation.

Who Can Apply
Applications are open to visual artists with two to ten years of professional practice. This makes the program particularly relevant for artists who already have exhibition experience, completed projects, and a developed artistic voice, but who continue to build their international careers and seek new opportunities for growth.

Why It Is Worth Considering
Many grant programs focus either on students or on established artists with decades of experience. Liu Shiming Artist Grants supports mid-career emerging artists — a group that is often overlooked by larger funding bodies. The grant can be used for research, developing a new body of work, production costs, archival work, materials, or other expenses directly connected to the realization of a project.

What the Selection Committee Looks For
Applications are evaluated not only on the strength of the proposed project but also on the overall artistic practice of the applicant. It is important to demonstrate the development of your artistic approach, the connection between previous work and the new project, and how the grant would help bring your ideas to fruition. For many artists, preparing such an application becomes a valuable opportunity to reflect on their practice as a coherent and evolving body of work.

The International Context of the Program
The program is organized by the Liu Shiming Art Foundation (New York, USA). Despite being based in the United States, the grant has an international format and is open to artists from around the world. This allows applicants to apply regardless of their country of residence and to develop their projects within their own professional context.

The deadline for applications is 31 August 2026.