Announcing the SMG Project Grant

Now Accepting Applications

The Seattle Metals Guild is pleased to announce the call for applications for the Project Grant, a newly redesigned program that awards $2,500 to one Guild member each year in support of a specific artistic project. Applications open July 15th and are being accepted through August 31st, 2026.

About the Grant

The Project Grant replaces the Seattle Metals Guild's previous alternating Established and Emerging Artist grants. Rather than recognizing past achievement or career credentials, this grant is built around a single question: what would you do with $2,500 to support your artistic practice and share the experience with your community?

The award recipient will receive the following:

• $2,500 in support of a specific artistic project
• Half of the award provided at the start of the project, with the remainder following completion of a shared community experience
• Complimentary registration to the 2026 Northwest Jewelry & Metals Symposium (October 10), where the award will be publicly announced
• A feature in the Guild's newsletter and social media
• A solo case in the Guild's 2027 Biennial Exhibition

Eligibility

To be considered, applicants must:

• Be a current, dues-paying member of the Seattle Metals Guild
• Be a current resident of Washington State
• Not be a current member of the Guild's Board of Directors
• Not have received a Guild grant within the past two years

What You'll Be Asked

Applicants will be asked to describe a proposed project, including its scope, budget, timeline, and how they plan to share the experience with fellow Guild members. Five images of recent work and a resume, CV, or short bio are also required.

Selection Process

Applications are evaluated on the strength of the proposed project: the clarity of the idea, the feasibility of the plan, how the funds would be used, evidence of an active creative practice, and how the experience would be shared with the community. Applications are reviewed by a panel of three independent arts professionals from outside the Guild membership. One recipient will be selected and announced at the 2026 Northwest Jewelry & Metals Symposium in October.

Why This Grant Matters

The Project Grant reflects a shift in how the Seattle Metals Guild thinks about supporting artists: rather than rewarding where a career has already been, it invests in what comes next. By opening the grant to all members regardless of career stage, and by asking the recipient to share what they learn, the program aims to bring the whole Guild community along for the journey.

We encourage all eligible members to apply and look forward to seeing what our community creates.

How to Apply

The 2026 Project Grant application and full details are available at https://seattlemetalsguild.org/2026-grant-app, now through August 31st, 2026.

Questions about the program can be directed to Grants Committee Chair Lyndsay Rice at grants@seattlemetalsguild.org.