StoreArtists Support Grants
Since 1996, Visual AIDS has awarded grants to artists living with HIV who are in need of financial assistance in obtaining materials to create their artwork. Beginning in 2023, our grant program has expanded to support artists living with HIV through unrestricted grants, recognizing that artists need more than just art materials to make their work. Visual AIDS has distributed over $670,000 in grants to artists living with HIV since the program began.
Artist Support Grants
Artist Support Grants are awarded to artists living with HIV who are in need of financial assistance in order to provide holistic support for their artistic practice.
Eligibility
To be eligible you must:
1. Be a registered Visual AIDS Artist Member for at least one month before the grant deadline
Any person who identifies as an artist living with HIV is eligible to become an Artist Member. If you are interested in becoming an Artist Member, please contact support@visualaids.org.
2. Have not received a grant from Visual AIDS in the past 12 months
3. Complete a reporting form after spending your grant
4. Submit an application form by the deadline
The deadlines for Artist Support Grant applications will now be February 15 and September 15 each year. All applicants will be notified and grants distributed within 6-8 weeks after the deadline.
Click here to apply online.
In order to be eligible for future grants, you must have completed a report form for your last Visual AIDS grant. You can complete a Report Form online here.
If you prefer to print a physical copy of these forms, click below:
If you would like to receive email reminders about grants and other Artist Member opportunities, sign up for the Artist Member mailing list here.
Please email support@visualaids.org if you have any questions or need support with submitting your application.
Digitization Grants
Visual AIDS offers digitization grants to support Artist Members and estates in digitizing analog audiovisual materials related to their artistic practice. Eligible materials include video art, interviews, and documentation of artwork, exhibitions, or performances.
Each grant covers the digitization of up to 10 items — video tapes, film, audio, or photographs. (1 item = 1 tape, 1 film reel, or 1 set of 25 photographs)
We request that a copy of the digital files created with the grant be donated to the Visual AIDS Archive.
The service is offered through Legacybox (legacybox.com), a mail-order service for artists living in the continental United States.
The grant application deadline is September 15 and February 15 each year.
"With this year’s grant, from B&H Photo, I was allowed to purchase a digital scanner in order to document many of my 35mm slides, and negatives. Currently, I have been able to process close to 150 of these archival photos into my PC, representing past artworks, many of which were stolen or lost from my possession. Much of this earlier work has not been seen by the public in over 35 years, and in many cases, is the only evidence and or, historical reference to the work." - M.B
I’m currently working on a male nude series on works on paper for an upcoming solo show next year. The grants allow me to purchase many supplies so I may continue printmaking. – Carmine Santaniello, Queens, NY
I was able to finish a project I had begun on women with HIV and pregnancy. I am combining digital work with more traditional printmaking. I have a solo show coming up, that certainly the art supplies have made possible. - Nancer LeMoins, San Francisco, CA
The grant has certainly been an inspiration to go on and keep busy to my art and it’s creativity, especially when hardly any other materials were available. It was like a fresh, new breath of creativity. Inspiration to keep motivated even in most difficult times. - Edith Alvarez, New York, NY
The new materials have helped spur on a new resurgence in my artistic energies. The first night after purchasing the new materials, I went right home and promptly started three new paintings. The materials provided make this work directly possible. – Richard Treitner, Pine Hill, NY
Thanks to Visual AIDS so much for the gift certificates over the years. It has afforded me to continue making art which is healing for me. I'm certain all the artists in the program feel the same way.
- Ronnie Queenan, Houston, Texas
Since I received the materials grant, I have been working on a photography series featuring the East end of Toronto. With the purchase of the Canon EF 17-40 mm lens, I am able to take wide shots, which I was unable to before. This way of capturing the material and natural world has been integrated into my art practice. - Dee Stoicescu, Toronto, Canada.
As a Fine Artist who is HIV positive, I would feel alone and looked for a community, even if online, to connect with and join. Visual AIDS has been so helpful in making me feel like I am part of something bigger than myself. It's also a space in which I feel safe to express myself fully.- J.Hartz, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania