GRANTS + CAlls
Open Calls FOR Artists
Telluride Arts creates opportunities for local artists, makers, and nonprofits to share their work through solo, group, and pop-up exhibitions at Telluride Arts HQ, satellite galleries such as Wilkinson Public Library and Citizens State Bank Gallery, and collaborative exhibitions throughout the Telluride and Mountain Village region.
Opportunities are announced through our website, email newsletters, social media, and local partner networks.
Current Open Calls:
Opening Night of 2026 Social Justice Exhibit
Direct Artist Grants
The Telluride Arts Direct Grants Program, has a suite of funding opportunities designed to support local artist growth, encourage community engagement, and strengthen the creative ecosystem across the Telluride region.
The Direct Grants Program provides funding across multiple categories that support a wide range of artistic practices, from visual and performing arts to literary, film, media-based, and interdisciplinary work. All grants prioritize projects that demonstrate artistic merit, feasibility, and meaningful community benefit.
Current OPEN GRANTS:
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Thanks to generous support from CCAASE, Telluride Arts is pleased to offer its Direct Grants Program, a suite of funding opportunities designed to support local artists, encourage community engagement, and strengthen the creative ecosystem across the Telluride region.
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Total funding available across all Direct Grants categories is $17,400. The 2026 program includes several funding opportunities:
Arts for Art’s Sake Grants - CLOSED FOR 2026
Supporting publicly presented visual and performing arts projects that enrich the community.
Awards:
1st Place — $3,000
2nd Place — $2,000
3rd Place — $1,500
Community Engagement Grant - CLOSED FOR 2026
Supporting programming created for and hosted within the Telluride community.
Awards:
$2,000
Honorable Mention — up to $450
Professional Development Grant - CLOSED FOR 2026
Supporting skill-building and capacity-enhancing opportunities for artists.
Awards:
$2,000
Honorable Mention — up to $450
Flash Grants (Ongoing)
Supporting small-scale artistic projects with clear community benefit.
Awards:
Individual awards typically range from $500–$1,000
$6,000 total funding available annually
Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are fully allocated
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At Telluride Arts, we define community benefit as providing zero-cost, barrier-free ways for a project to teach, share, create community, activate, and inspire—bringing people together, encouraging participation, and contributing to the creative culture of our region.
Augment Music Grants
Augment Music Project, a fiscal sponsee of Telluride Arts, supports the local music scene by providing grants, funding, and performance opportunities to Telluride-area musicians.
Since 2023, it has awarded grants to a dozen artists and groups, helping advance careers while fostering community engagement through live shows and events like the Summer Concert Series and weekly Farmer’s Market performances. Donate here to support Augment.
CURRENT Open Music Grants:
AUGMENT MUSIC GRANT APPLICATIONS CLOSED FOR 2026
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Founded in 2020, Augment Music Project is dedicated to supporting the local music scene in the Telluride area. We believe that the vibrancy of Telluride's music scene extends beyond the major festivals and includes a very talented group of musicians who call this area home.
Augment is committed to community impact through music, evidenced in our annual grant program and the live music opportunities we provide to local musicians.
Since 2023, Augment Music Project has offered funding through Telluride Arts annual grant program, providing the funding and grant committee for the music category. Our review and selection process aligns with the broader goals of the grant program, with a strong emphasis on the community impact of each application.
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