Artist Professional Development Grant

four people working together at a table

Topics:

Arts & Culture Programs
Filmmaking

The Artist Professional Development Grant provides support to Iowa’s artists to undertake activities that advance their artistic practices and elevate the creative industry in Iowa.  The program supports learning, mentorship, and business development opportunities to enable artists of all disciplines to catalyze momentum in their artistic practices and increase their professional skills and capacity.

The program is funded through an appropriation by the Iowa Legislature to the IEDA and a grant by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.  

The Iowa Screenwriters Grant is contained within this program, with funding made possible by a sponsorship from the Iowa Scriptwriters Alliance and the Iowa Motion Picture Association. 

Eligibility

Open to Iowa Artists at least 18 years of age or older. 

Application Process

  • Please review the grant guidelines found under the resources below for additional information on eligibility requirements, reporting requirements and review process, as well as application questions and the scoring rubric.

Timeline

  • The program will open for submission of online applications in May 2026 for the funding period July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027. 

  • Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until April 15, 2027 or until funds are expended.

  • Applicants will be notified of funding decisions within eight to twelve weeks of application deadline. 

Resources

  • Schedule a meeting with Program Manager EJ Philby Burton to discuss questions about the application to the Artist Professional Development Grant program 

Iowa Economic Development Authority logo and National Endowment for the Arts logo