The Sally A. Williams Artist Fund was established in 2010 after the passing of Sally Williams, an artist who served as the artist services manager at the Arkansas Arts Council for more than 25 years.

The Fund supports Arkansas creatives by providing assistant grants for professional development and costs associated with advancing artistic careers. The fund is a reimbursement grant that funds half of costs, up to $500, once per fiscal year. The minimum request is $100 per application.

The program is expected to kickoff for applications in January 2026. This grant has no deadline. Grants are awarded until funds are depleted.

Acceptable applications include professional development, such as watercolor technique, marketing skills, writer conferences, arts conferences, artist residencies, etc. Costs associated with the professional development opportunities, including gas/car mileage and food, can be included. Funds may be used to cover submission fees, such as for large exhibitions and magazines, or to pay shipping costs for exhibition purposes.

This grant is NOT for funding projects, equipment, art supplies, studio time, renting space, framing visual arts, packaging material, etc. This grant is not meant to fund personal wants that do not advance artistic careers. Applications are reviewed by and determined by administrative review.

For 15 years, the Sally A. Williams Artist Fund has helped creatives statewide advance their skills and artistic careers. More than 150 artists have received the award and increased their networks, education, careers and travel ability.

Williams’ friends and family, as well as sales of Williams’ artwork, funded the program originally. Currently, the Sally A. Williams Fund is privately funded by Sue Williams, her twin sister, who lives in Jacksonville, Florida.