--- title: DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award description: >- Grants up to $10,000 for Indiana visual artists' aspirational projects, administered by Indy Arts Council. url: 'https://www.artsume.com/programs/0ce39100-c519-4de6-b6e4-8e35ba676eaa' type: program status: open createdAt: '2026-10-06' updatedAt: '2026-10-11' programType: Grant organization: Indy Arts Council organizationUrl: 'https://www.artsume.com/o/indy-arts-council' deadline: '2026-10-18' location: 'Indianapolis, IN, United States' isOnline: false compensationRange: 'Grants of up to $10,000 for aspirational visual arts projects' disciplines: - painting - drawing - printmaking - sculpture - ceramics - photography - textiles - digital/new media --- # DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award **Hosted by:** Indy Arts Council **Type:** Grant | **Location:** Indianapolis, IN, United States | **Deadline:** October 18, 2026 ## About This Program > "Aspirational, innovative contemporary visual arts projects" ### About the Program The DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award, offered annually and administered by the Indy Arts Council and funded entirely by a legacy gift from the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation, is an artist grant/award program to provide project funding for professional artists in Indiana that promotes, celebrates, recognizes, and rewards innovation. The aim of the program is to recognize contemporary visual artists and support original projects. The DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award Program will honor up to five contemporary artists each year with grants of $10,000 for aspirational visual arts projects. Each project must demonstrate a need for the requested funds and be completed within the stated deadline. It is intended to allow a high-tolerance for risk and exploration and will provide support for an artist's creative practice that will help them push their work in dynamic ways. Each awarded artist will submit a final report at the end of the process and must participate in a final public exhibition of their work. Recipients will be required to document the project with images and reflections regarding the impact of the project on their artistic development and how the project brought something new to the field of visual art. ### Artist Eligibility - Must be a visual artist, inclusive of art forms such as, but not limited to, painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, textiles, and digital/new media. - Must have 5 years documented experience demonstrating excellence and innovation (quality solo exhibitions, national exposure and/or experience, critical reviews, residencies, awards, fellowships, juried exhibitions, etc.). - Must have lived and/or worked in the state of Indiana for a minimum of three consecutive years at the date of application. - Must reside and/or work in the state of Indiana for at least one year following the conclusion of the award activities. - Must have generated consistent income over the past five years through your work in the field of visual art. - Must not have received a DeHaan award within the last 12-months at time of application. Preference is given to artists who have not previously received an award. - Artwork must be contemporary, meaning the artist is creating innovative, forward thinking, and challenging work that brings something new to the field of visual art. ### Project Eligibility - Can be either a new or existing project that supports an artist's professional or creative practice. - Must be aspirational and innovative. - Must occur and conclude within 12 months of execution of signed agreement. - Must be able to share the results of the project through submission of a final report. - Awardees must agree to participate in a professionally curated group exhibition at Gallery 924 at Indy Arts Council, tentatively for October/November 2026. - Must further the applicant's artistic endeavors and/or propel their career. - Must submit at least two work samples for artistic documentation. ### Application Process All applications, attachments, and work samples will be submitted at indyarts.grantplatform.com. This is an online, written application. If you prefer an alternate format (i.e. dictated responses, video responses, other languages), please reach out to grants@indyarts.org, and we'll do our best to accommodate. Incomplete applications are ineligible. Applications will be reviewed in two rounds. Applicants may submit an application in either or both rounds. - Round 1 Application Deadline: May 3, 2026 - Round 2 Application Deadline: October 18, 2026 A recorded information session about the program and how to prepare a successful application is available. Staff hold office hours to discuss ideas or specific questions. If you submit your application by the draft review deadline, Indy Arts Council staff will review your application and provide suggestions to improve it. - Round 1 Draft Review Deadline: March 15, 2026 - Round 2 Draft Review Deadline: September 20, 2026 ### Examples of Award Activities - Exploration of a new body of work - Participation in a national event/exhibition - Purchase of materials or supplies related to a specific project - Travel and shipping of artwork for exhibition Project activities may be conducted anywhere. Funds may be used for travel, housing, and/or the equipment necessary to conduct proposed activities. Funds may also be used for materials necessary to create artwork in preparation for an exhibition. ### Restrictions from Funding - Funds cannot be used for tuition or tuition expenses at any college, university, or degree-granting institution. - Funds cannot be re-granted or redistributed to any other person, organization, or entity. - Funds cannot be used for debt reduction, debt elimination, student loans, penalties, or litigation costs. - Funds cannot be used toward the production of a short or feature-length film. ### Selection Criteria A selection panel, including qualified representatives from the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation, the Indy Arts Council, and local and national visual art professionals, will make the award determinations through an online process. - Quality of the Artistic Work (30%) - Aspirational and Innovative Components of Proposed Project (30%) - Strength of Proposed Project and Relation to Work (20%) - Documented Success in the Field (10%) - Intended Impact on Applicant's Career (10%) ### Financial Information DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award grants are up to a maximum of $10,000, and up to five awards will be presented annually. Payments will be made in two installments: 80% at the beginning of the grant period and the remaining 20% when a final report has been submitted. Each grant recipient will be required to submit an IRS W-9 form so that an IRS 1099 income statement can be issued. ### Notification and Award DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award recipients will be notified of their selection by email within 8 weeks of the application deadline. Indy Arts Council staff will send a DocuSign email with a DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award agreement and an IRS W-9 form, and may request a headshot and artist bio to be used in the award announcement. ## Eligibility & Requirements - **Geographic Eligibility:** Regional - **Disciplines:** painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, textiles, digital/new media - **Note:** Applicants must be professional visual artists with at least 5 years of documented experience demonstrating excellence and innovation, including quality solo exhibitions, national exposure, critical reviews, residencies, awards, fellowships, or juried exhibitions. They must have lived and/or worked in Indiana for a minimum of three consecutive years at the date of application, must continue to reside and/or work in Indiana for at least one year following the conclusion of award activities, and must have generated consistent income over the past five years through their work in the field of visual art. Applicants must not have received a DeHaan award within the last 12 months at the time of application, and preference is given to artists who have not previously received an award. Artwork must be contemporary, meaning the artist creates innovative, forward-thinking, challenging work that brings something new to the field of visual art. Projects can be new or existing and must support the artist's professional or creative practice; they must be aspirational and innovative, must occur and conclude within 12 months of the signed agreement, and must further the applicant's artistic endeavors or propel their career. Awardees must agree to participate in a professionally curated group exhibition at Gallery 924 at Indy Arts Council, tentatively for October/November 2026. ### Additional Requirements - Completed online application submitted via indyarts.grantplatform.com - At least two work samples for artistic documentation - Demonstration of eligibility (5 years of documented experience, Indiana residency/work history) - Final report submission after award (if selected) - Signed IRS W-9 form (if selected) ## Compensation & Benefits Grants of up to $10,000 for aspirational visual arts projects **Includes:** Stipend Up to five awards of $10,000 each presented annually. Payments made in two installments: 80% at the beginning of the grant period and the remaining 20% when a final report has been submitted. Funds may be used for travel, housing, equipment and materials necessary for the project; funds cannot be used for tuition, re-granted, used for debt reduction/student loans/litigation costs, or for production of a short or feature-length film. ## Timeline - **Opens:** January 6, 2026 - **Deadline:** October 18, 2026 ## Contact **Contact:** Anna Tragesser, Program Manager **Email:** grants@indyarts.org **Phone:** 317-631-3301, ext. 221 ## How to Apply Apply at: https://indyartsmedia.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/21214910/2026-DADA-Guildelines.pdf