WAM - Self-directed Arts Practice Grant | FY27

Wellness, Arts, and the Military (WAM) – Self-directed Art Practice (SAP) Grant 

This grant supports U.S. military-connected individuals. SAP grant funds help you find your voice and pursue personal growth through the arts. The SAP Grant supports military connected artists of all levels. You do not need to be a "professional artist" to apply, any skill level is welcome!

Research shows the benefits of a committed arts practice. They can help military-connected individuals transition to civilian life by promoting independence and creativity. They can also help to relieve stress and anxiety.

The SAP grant provides one-time grants of up to $3,000. These grants pay for costs associated with taking time to practice art. These costs could include:

· in-state travel

· artist workshop or retreat fees

· art supplies

· childcare

Applicants must provide:

· an art practice plan

· 3 art samples

· a simple budget that shows how time and funds will be used

Grant recipients must fill out a questionnaire about their experience after completing the funded art practice time.

Deadline

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 11:59pm PST

Important Dates

• SAP Grant Opens: August 19, 2026
• SAP Grant Closes: September 30, 2026 at 11:59pm PST
• Notification starting on: December 1, 2026
• Design Thinking for Creative Expression Cohort Starts: February 3 & 5, 2026
• Design Thinking Classes will be offered at 2 different times, Tuesdays 12pm - 1pm or Thursdays 5:00pm - 6:00pm
• Selection on class dates and times are in application

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Self-directed Art Practice (SAP) Grant, you must be one of the following:

• a 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 
• Past recipients of the grant may apply, however, preference will be given to qualified first time applicants
• Members of the same household may apply, however only one applicant per household will be approved
• Preference will be given to qualified service member/veteran applications

In addition, you must: 

• be a current Washington State resident 
• be pursuing an art practice (Visual arts, literary arts, dance, music, theater, media arts*, traditional/folk arts)
• have an SWV (Statewide Vendor) number to receive grant funds from the state. An SWV number is not required to apply but 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. You can check on the status of your SWV number by using the vendor number lookup. 

* 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 Document(s)

You'll be prompted to 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) 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. 

General Grant Policies

• Use of Funds: Grant recipients must use the funds for costs incurred from January 1, 2027 to June 30, 2027. Funds must be spent by June 30, 2027. ArtsWA can make no exceptions to this deadline.
• Living Expenses: No more then 20% of grant may be used towards living expenses. 
• Reimbursement: The approved grant funds will be disbursed in two equal installments in around February and April of 2027. 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.
• Project Media: Grant recipient must upload media (photos/videos) of their project for a digital gallery upon completion
• Final Report: Grant recipients must complete a questionnaire about their experience by July 31, 2027.

Grant Funds May NOT Be Used For:

• Travel outside of Washington State
• To develop mass-produced items for retail
• Start up funds for small business
• Contest fees
• Tuition assistance for college, university or other formal course of study that generates course credit
• Purchase of permanent equipment ($3,000 and up) or real property
• Costs and/or activities outside the current grant period (January 1, 2027 to June 30, 2027)
• Costs and/or activities that have occurred prior to the period designated by the grant guidelines
• Previous losses incurred by the individual
• Costs and/or activities that have already received state appropriations (for example, an applicant may not use these grants funds for costs that are already being funded by a different state agency)

Applying

Grant applications can be completed and submitted online at any time between the morning of August 19, 2026 and September 30, 2026 at 11:59 pm 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 September 30, 2026, applications will be reviewed, and final determinations will be made. Applicants will be notified of their application status, as well as next steps, starting on December 1, 2026. 

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

Gabriella Smith, WAM Administrative Assistant at 360-485-1277 or gabriella.smith@arts.wa.gov 

Additional Information

About ArtsWA

ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission. The Washington State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts fund our programs. Grants are contingent on available state and federal funding. ArtsWA complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil and human rights. For more information regarding ArtsWA’s policies on Accessibility, Diversity, and Nondiscrimination, click here.

Transparency

Let us know if individuals involved with your organization also have an affiliation with ArtsWA. This includes ArtsWA staff, commissioners, consultants, contractors, current grant panelists, etc., or immediate family members of any of the former, who are affiliated with your organization. This is for transparency only; the panel will review your application without bias. Read our full Conflict of Interest policy.

Appeals

Unsuccessful applicants may appeal in accordance with Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 30.12.036, found here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=30-12-036.