This grant will open on August 20, 2025.
About this grant
ArtsWA’s Wellness, Arts, and Military (WAM) program aims to introduce more Veterans and military-connected families to the enriching possibilities of the arts. Whether someone is picking up a creative practice for the first time or returning to a long-time interest, the arts offer a space for self-expression, connection, and discovery. Through participation in artistic experiences, individuals can explore new skills, build community, and engage in meaningful personal growth. Engaging in an art practice improves physical, social, and emotional well-being for active-military, Veterans, and their families.
Through the Self-directed Art Practice (SAP) grant program, WAM offers this unique opportunity for eligible military-connected individuals to spend time pursuing an art practice for professional and personal development.
The SAP grant provides one-time grants of up to $3,000. These grants pay for costs associated with taking time to practice art throughout the grant period.
Applicants must provide:
- an art practice plan
- 3 art samples
- a simple budget that shows how time and funds will be used
Timeline:
- Application Opens: August 20, 2025
- Application Deadline: October 01, 2025, 11:59pm
- Notifications Sent: December 01, 2025
Self-directed Art Practice Grant Information Webinars
ArtsWA Wellness, Arts, and the Military Program hosted live webinars on the Self-directed Art Practice (SAP) Grant application process. It is highly recommended that you watch the videos below if you are planning to apply.
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible for the Self-directed Art Practice (SAP) Grant, you must be one of the following:
- an U.S. military active-duty service member, guardsman, reservist, or veteran
- a spouse or registered domestic partner of a U.S. military active-duty service member, guardsman, reservist, or veteran
- a child (at least 18 years old) of a U.S. military active-duty service member, guardsman, reservist, or veteran
In addition, you must:
- be a current Washington State resident
- be pursuing an art practice (Visual arts, literary arts, dance, music, theatre, media arts*, traditional/folk arts)
An SWV number is not required to apply but is encouraged. Applicants who are approved must be registered and up to date before funds are given. An SWV number can take up to three weeks to be assigned. If you have received payment from Washington State in the past two years, it is likely you already have an active SWV number.
* For the purposes of this grant “media arts” can mean projects presented via film, television, radio, audio, video, the Internet, interactive and mobile technologies as an artistic medium, video games, immersive and multi-platform storytelling, and satellite streaming.
Required Documents and Information:
Required Document(s)
Upload the appropriate document to confirm your military connection:
U.S. military active-duty service member, guardsman, reservist:
- Department of Defense Identification Card—Common Access Card (CAC) or a Uniformed Services ID Card
U.S. military veteran:
- DD-214, or State-issued ID (driver’s license) with a Veteran designation, or VA issued Veteran ID Card
Spouse or Child of U.S. military active-duty service member, guardsman, reservist:
- Department of Defense Dependent ID Card
Spouse of U.S. military veteran:
- Veteran documentation (DD-214 and/or VA ID Card); State-issued ID, AND marriage certificate
Child of U.S. military veteran:
- Veteran documentation (DD-214 and/or VA ID Card) AND birth certificate. Applicant must submit copy of marriage certificate if veteran is a stepparent not listed on birth certificate.
Eligible Uses for Grant Funds:
- Use of Funds: Grant recipients must use the funds for costs incurred from January 01, 2026 to June 30, 2026. Funds must be spent by June 30, 2026. ArtsWA can make no exceptions to this deadline.
- Reimbursement: The approved grant funds will be disbursed in two equal installments in around February and April of 2026. The payments will be contingent on the attendance of the first and the last class of the Design Thinking for Creative Expression online class. This is an 8-week class where SAP Grantees will be learning strategies for tracking and completing their art projects.
- Documentation: Grant recipients must track expenses, keep clear and precise records and receipts, and provide additional appropriate and timely documentation if requested.
- Final Report: Grant recipients must complete a questionnaire about their experience by July 31, 2026.
Grant applications can be completed and submitted online at any time between the morning of August 20, 2025 and October 01, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PST.
We will make no exceptions regarding the application deadline.
ArtsWA will accept applications online through Submittable. If you do not have a Submittable account, you will be prompted to register prior to accessing the online application. Submittable recommends using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari as web browsers.
Please take your time when completing the application. Your work will be automatically saved as you move through the questions if you are connected to the internet. The application does not need to be completed in one sitting.
After the closing date of October 01, 2025, applications will be reviewed, and final determinations will be made. Applicants will be notified of their application status, as well as next steps, on December 01, 2025.
Make sure that the contact email you provide is appropriate for receiving emails from ArtsWA.
Contact us
Bryan Bales, WAM Program Manager at 360-468-0888 or bryan.bales@arts.wa.gov
Daniya Baisubanova, WAM Program Specialist at 360-252-9979 or daniya.baisubanova@arts.wa.gov