Beyond the Mountains Fund offers two tiers of funding based on the scale and stage of your project. Apply to the tier that best aligns with your goals, timeline, and capacity. Both grants support publicly accessible visual arts projects within Montana.

• One grant of $10,000
• Ten grants of $5,000 each

Funding

• 50% of grant funds are disbursed up front upon award; 50% upon completion of an interim project report.
• All grant funds must be expended within the grant period.
• Applications are reviewed by a panel of three to five compensated artists and arts professionals with strong ties to the local and regional arts community and expertise in nontraditional, community-centered art practices.

Applicants

• Artist(s) must be based and living in Montana.
• Priority given to Indigenous artists, emerging artists, and mid-career artists working in the region.
• Established artists are also eligible if seeking support to explore new, experimental, or previously underdeveloped areas of their practice.
• One grant proposal allowed per person, per grant cycle. Prior awardees may reapply 2 years from their original award date.

Projects

• Project must take place in Montana.
• Project must be artist-organized and self-initiated. 501(c)(3) organizations and for-profit businesses are ineligible. This program supports independent artists working outside traditional institutional structures.
• Project must operate within a visual arts context, broadly defined to include visual art, performance art, digital art, and mixed media.
• Project must take place outside a conventional studio or commercial gallery setting and be accessible to the public in community spaces, without an admission or participation fee.

Your application will ask for: contact information, an artist bio, a concise project summary (250 characters), a detailed project description (3,000 characters), and a basic budget outlining proposed expenses.

Also include information about collaborators (if applicable), the intended public audience or site, and any plans for outreach or community engagement, or building visibility for your work.

This structure is designed to give reviewers a clear understanding of your project's goals, feasibility, and potential impact, while keeping the process accessible and considerate of your time. Supplementary imagery, sketches, and related resources that enhance your proposal are also welcome.

One grant proposal allowed per person, per grant cycle. You may reapply 2 years from your original award date.

• Applicant meets eligibility guidelines and fully completes all application components.
• Project is clearly outlined, including a timeline, benchmarks and goals, community impact, feasibility of completion within one year, budget, and a plan for documentation and accessible public presentation.
• Concept and presentation demonstrate artistic strength and merit, feasibility, public engagement and the project's potential to expand the visibility and reach of the artist's work, and alignment with the program's focus on supporting independent and experimental artists and underrepresented voices.

• Sample Application (Individual) — preview all questions before you begin
• Timeline Template — required upload
• Budget Template — required upload

Questions about Beyond the Mountains Fund can be directed to apply@beyondthemountainsfund.org, or to Grant Program Manager Angela Yonke at angela.yonke@tinworksart.org.

For updates, follow @tinworksart on Instagram.