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The James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation believes that the arts connect us to each other in powerful and surprising ways and help us make sense of our world. By celebrating the vital role artists play in enriching the lives of all Oregonians, we recognize that artists are essential to our state’s vitality.
The Foundation has funded the arts throughout Oregon for over two decades, primarily by supporting the work of arts organizations.In 2024 we launched the Spark Award for Oregon Artists, a three-year pilot program that provides direct support to 60 midcareer individual artists across artistic disciplines.
About
This program supports individual artists in Oregon as a valuable investment in both the artists themselves and the communities enriched by their work.
- This three-year pilot program will support 60 individual Oregon artists (20 per year) in various artistic fields.
- The program invests in the overall creative development of artists rather than focusing on particular projects.
- This funding is to support midcareer artists during a crucial phase of their artistic growth.
The Miller Foundation will grant $25,000 to each selected artist. Recipients can receive the award in a single payment shortly after award announcements or in multiple installments. Awardees will receive a 1099-MISC form.
Additional eligibility requirements are listed below.
Download the 2025 Spark Guidelines for Literary and Media artists here (plain-text version here).
Eligibility
Eligible applicants will be individual midcareer artists who meet these basic criteria:
- 30 years of age or older with 7+ years of active art practice (not including schooling)
- Regularly creating and presenting new work to public audiences
- Producing original work in eligible disciplines
- Oregon resident for last 5 years
VIEW FULL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Apply
- Submit individual artist application through the Artist Grants Portal.
- Application screening, panel review and selection.
- Funding awarded! The one-time, $25,000 awards for individual artists announced by mid-November 2025.
- Artists report back about a year after receiving the award, sharing how the funding supported their creative growth and furthered their artistic career.
Applications due July 2 at 5pm PDT.
Review the 2025 Guidelines here
(Plain-text version here)
We’re here to help! More questions? Email us at artists@millerfound.org.