Program Description
ArtSpark is an innovative career development program for visual and performing artists living in Maricopa County who are recent graduates of high school or post-secondary (within the past 18 months). This program will support the development of emerging artists by providing workspaces, business development classes, and financial support to ensure creative professionals have the necessary tools to bolster our economy. During the nine-month program, artists will be required to attend workshops and mentorship sessions, create new work, and deliver an engagement opportunity for the community to experience the new work.
The impacts of ArtSpark are:
- To provide advancement opportunities to visual and performing artists in Maricopa County.
- To assist recent graduates with the necessary funding, space, and development tools to build vibrant, successful careers in the arts.
- To provide financial support to create new work that increases sustainable economic opportunities for the artist.
- To develop a network of arts mentors that support and develop the next generation of creative professionals.
- To empower artists with an entrepreneurial mindset through a partnership with small business incubation programs.
- To cultivate a sustainable and robust arts economy.
Important Dates
Funding cycle: October 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
Submissions open: Monday, July 28, 2025, at 9 a.m.
Application deadline: Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
If funded, artists must be available for the following dates:
Award information session (mandatory): September 26, 2025, 5 p.m.
Mandatory Small Business Incubator meetings: Held the third Wednesday of the month, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- January 16, 2026
- February 19, 2026
- March 19, 2026
- April 16, 2026
Award
Each awardee will receive a $5,000 stipend contingent on attending mandatory small business incubation courses and the creation of new work. Additional funding, minimum $1,000 up to a maximum of $2,500 may be requested to cover the costs of materials and production of the project proposed within the application. The total award amount is up to $7,500.
Funds will be dispersed as follows:
- $2,500 + 25% of the project amount upon acceptance of the award.
- $2,500 upon successful completion of small business incubator courses.
- 75% of the project amount upon submission of final receipts and final report. The final report is due 15 days after the completion of the project or by June 30, 2026, whichever comes first.
- Awardees should note that award money is taxable income and must be reported. Scottsdale Arts will provide a 1099 form at the end of the tax year in which the funds were received.
- Credit must be given to Scottsdale Arts on all digital and print materials related to the project.
Eligibility
To be considered for the program, the applicant must:
- Be an individual artist in any of the following disciplines: visual art, dance, music, theater, photography, literary arts, film, media arts, or interdisciplinary arts.
- Be a resident of Maricopa County and maintain residency throughout the duration of the project.
- Be a practicing artist defined as one who produces artwork on a regular basis.
- Be over the age of 18 by program start date.
- Be a graduate from high school or any post-secondary institution within 18 months from program start date.
Ineligibility
The applicant will be deemed ineligible if they:
- Are applying on behalf of an organization, collective, company, band, group, ensemble, or are a part of a collaborative team.
- Are enrolled in full-time study at any time during the duration of the program.
- Are not a resident of Maricopa County.
- Are a board member, staff member, or immediate family member of staff at Scottsdale Arts.
Funding
The award amount includes a stipend of $5,000, contingent on attending mandatory small business incubation courses and the creation of new work. Additional funding, minimum $1,000 up to a maximum of $2,500 may be requested to cover the costs of materials and production of the community engagement activity proposed within the application. The community engagement activity must connect to the new work created in the program. Costs must be listed in detail using the budget form. Below is a listing of approved and unapproved expenses that may be included in your project budget.
The project budget may include:
- Professional development, creation, and presentation of new work for emerging, individual artists residing in Maricopa County.
- Purchasing supplies, materials, and equipment (to a maximum of $500 in value per item) necessary to complete the proposed artwork associated with the proposed project.
- Costs with producing a performance.
- Costs associated with marketing (up to 20% of project budget).
- Photography or videography of work.
The project budget may not include:
- Direct payment to the applicant for services related to the production of the project
- Operational or overhead costs, e.g., rent, subscriptions, etc.
- Capital expenditures over $500, e.g., computer, instrument, equipment, etc.
- Travel for the artist outside of Maricopa County
- Tuition costs
- Loans or debts unrelated to the project costs
- Competitions, pageants, or fundraising events
- Building projects
- Multi-year commitments
Community Engagement
An essential aspect of this program is to present the work created in a public space. The type of community engagement is dependent on the artform but may include an exhibition, public reading, performance, or workshop. The community engagement should be a minimum of two hours in addition to the creation of the project itself. The community engagement must be connected to the new work created as a result of the funding and should have some ability to be replicated in the future.
Community Engagement Examples:
- A visual artist creates new work, exhibits the work in a public space, and hosts an artists’ talk at the opening of the exhibition.
- A musician creates new work and performs work at a public event.
- A literary artist publishes new work and hosts a reading at a local coffee shop.
Work Samples
Three work samples must be submitted with the application. One of the samples must be of work created within the last year. Example file types are listed below with at least one being a still image.
Dance and Theater
Video excerpts of work including title and name(s) of dancer(s), choreographer(s), director(s), performer(s), and role played by applicant, and time marking where the panel should begin reviewing sample.
Visual Art and Design
Photographic samples including title, medium, and size.
Literature
Typed excerpts no longer than 25 pages in length.
Media Art
Video excerpts including title, genre, and role of the applicant.
Music
Audio or video files including title, name(s) of performer(s), instrument(s), and role of the applicant in creating the work.
Review Process
The applications will be reviewed by panelists comprised of artists, community members, and business professionals selected, organized, and led by Scottsdale Arts staff. They will make recommendations for funding that will be approved by the Scottsdale Arts Board of Trustees.
The following criteria will be used when reviewing applications.
Impact of Project (40 points)
- Impact of the project on the community
- Project fulfills a particular cultural need in the community
- Project shows a unique impact on the community
Quality of Application (40 points)
- Overall quality and planned execution of the project
- Qualifications, background and experience of the artists/consultants involved
- Realistic timeline and outputs of proposed project
- Appropriate request of funds and use of funds
Economic Advancement (20 points)
- Ability of project to advance the local economy
- Replicability of proposed project to advance economic viability of artist and artform.
- Integration of program into long-term business plans of the applicant
This program is competitive. An application may or may not be funded depending on the number of applicants, amount of award money available, and application's score based on the above criteria. Acceptance of application does not mean it will be automatically funded. All applicants will be notified of results prior to funding cycle.
Proposal Writing Tips
- Read the guidelines carefully to determine if you are eligible for the program.
- Write clearly and simply. Assume the reader does not know anything about your project or artform.
- Present concrete plans with deadlines, specific goals, and evidence of planning, research, and experience.
- Clearly articulate how the program will benefit you as an artist in the long term; this program is not just about the creation of new work or community engagement, but also about how it will advance your career as an artist.
- Ensure the budget aligns with the narrative.
- Ask someone else to proofread your application prior to submitting it to ensure it is free from errors and outcomes are clearly stated.