Call for Curatorial Proposals: 2026 Rough Gems Program

The Foundation for Contemporary Arts (FCA) Emergency Grants provide urgent, project‑based funding to experimental visual artists, performers, dancers, musicians/sound artists, and poets living in the United States or its territories. Grants range from $500 to $3,000 (average $2,200) and are intended to cover unexpected costs associated with the public presentation of completed work, such as artists’ fees, airfare, accommodations, materials, shipping, fabrication, and production expenses. Applicants must have a confirmed performance or exhibition date, be an individual artist (or representing a collective), possess a U.S. Tax ID number, and not be enrolled in any degree‑granting program. The program operates on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline; artists are encouraged to apply 8–10 weeks before their presentation date. FCA requires a three‑year wait period between Emergency Grant awards. Applications are submitted through FCA’s Submittable portal, and a PDF application form is available for reference.

emergency grants for projects

open to artists living and working in the United States