Piscataqua Region Artist Advancement Grant Program

The Piscataqua Region Artist Advancement Grant recognizes the important contribution of working artists to the cultural life of the region by providing an annual financial award to promote the artistic growth of visual artists and craftspeople. The purpose of the award is not to reward past work, but to recognize the applicant best positioned to continue the improvement of their artistic career.

Geographic focus

The applicant must have been a permanent resident in the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation’s Piscataqua Region for at least two full years prior to applying, and must plan to maintain permanent residence in the region during the entire grant period.
Eligibility

Please refer to the Eligibility and Terms to determine eligibility.
Grant amount

An award ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 will be made annually. Additional grants may also be awarded to finalists.
Previous recipients

2023: Shaina Gates of Kittery, ME – sculpture and printmaking

2022: Rick Fox of Kittery, ME – painter

2021: Kate Knox of Dover, NH – mixed media artist

2020: Carl Austin Hyatt of Portsmouth, NH – photographer

2019: Victoria Elbroch of Kittery, ME – painting and drawing

2018: Sachiko Akiyama of Portsmouth, NH – sculpture and printmaking

2017: Cathy McLaurin of Danville, NH – sculpture

2016: Carly Glovinski of Dover, NH – conceptual artist

2015: Cheryle St. Onge of Durham, NH – photographer

2014: Lauren Gillette of York, Maine – conceptual artist

2013: Justin Kirchoff of Eliot, Maine – photographer

2012: Bear Kirkpatrick of Dover, NH – digital media artist

2011: Kim Bernard of Rockland, Maine – kinetic sculpture and installation artist

2010: Gail Spaien of Kittery, Maine – painter and installation artist

2009: Lynn Szymanski of Rollinsford, NH – wood and mixed media furniture and sculpture

2008: Ross Cisneros of Milton, NH – new media

2007: Kirsten Reynolds of Newmarket, NH – installation, sculpture, photography and digital images

2006: Barbara Rita Jenny of Portsmouth, NH – digital print making and installation

2005: Tim Gaudreau of Portsmouth, NH – eco-art

2004: Maureen Mills of Portsmouth, NH – hand thrown and altered stoneware

2003: Katherine Doyle of New Castle, NH – painting and drawing

2002: Gary Haven Smith of Northwood, NH – stone sculpture
Application deadline

Monday, May 1, 2023

Application portal opens Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Jurors

Kim Bernard, artist, former recipient of the AAG, Rockland, ME

Dana Clancy, Director and Associate Professor of Art, Boston University’s School of Visual Arts, Boston MA

Donna McNeil, Executive Director at the Ellis Beauregard Foundation, Rockland ME

Randall Nielsen, Executive Director at Queerlective, based in Manchester, NH

Nancy Pearson, Principal at Mind the Gap, former Portsmouth Arts Commission and City Council member, Board Member Portsmouth Arts and Music Academy, Portsmouth NH

Yael Reinharz, Director at the Surfpoint Foundation, York, ME

Yasamin Safarzedeh, Program Director, Kimball-Jenkins, Concord NH

Devon Zimmerman, Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary American Art , Ogunquit Museum of American Art

Application and grant process

Step 1

Learn more about the program and determine eligibility.

Read the eligibility and terms, frequently asked questions and watch the 2023 information session. A workshop will be held Tuesday, April 18, from 5:30-7:30 pm at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth, NH. Please email Erin Allgood to register.

Step 2

Prepare your application materials.

Applications are submitted using the online application management system, SlideRoom. It is recommended that you prepare your questions and supporting materials prior to beginning the online application. Review frequently asked questions. Applicants will be able to copy and paste answers into the application.

New for 2023: We are providing an example Advancement Plan. This example is not intended to serve as a rubric or outline. Please use it as guidance as you see fit but do not feel the need to conform to it

You may go to SlideRoom to create an account anytime. If you have applied in previous years, your account should still be active. All applications must be submitted through SlideRoom.

Step 3

Complete online application by Monday, May 1, 2023.

Step 4

Receive funding.

If your application was funded, you will be notified no later than August. Funds are generally released in September or October.

Step 5

Participate in recognition event.

The Charitable Foundation will recognize the awardee and finalists at a reception. The reception for the 2022 recipient and finalists will be held on April 20, 2023 from 5:30-7:00 pm at the UNH Museum. Please sign up for our newsletter for further event information.

Step 6

Report.

You will be asked to submit a report six months into the funding period (usually April) and at the end of your funding period.

Application and grant process

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