Public Art for Spatial Justice

About the Open Call

At NEFA, we believe in the arts as a powerful tool for positive change and that public art has the power to shift public culture and change the future. The freedoms to create, access, express, and share arts and cultures are human rights that are essential to more equitable and vibrant public spaces, but these freedoms aren't equitably afforded to all. Public Art for Spatial Justice aims to support public artmaking that helps us see, feel, experience and imagine more just futures for our public spaces and public culture. How It Works Massachusetts-based artist(s) and Massachusetts-based organizations working with artist(s), are welcome to apply for a project grant. Projects must take place in Massachusetts and creatively cultivate expressions or embodiments of spatial justice through public artmaking. All artistic disciplines are welcome to apply. Public Art for Spatial Justice grants range from $15,000-$30,000, for up to two-year grant period beginning March 2026 through February 2028. About NEFA's Public Art Program Public Art for Spatial Justice is one of NEFA’s grant programs supporting artists in the field of public art. For more information about other elements of NEFA’s Public Art programs: VISIT THE public art PROGRAM PAGE Application Process & Deadlines The deadline for Public Art for Spatial Justice was December 2, 2025, 11:59 PM ET. Applications are accepted through our online grant portal. Applicants will be notified of awards in late February 2026, with the grant year beginning in March 2026. Grantees will have up to 24 months from the beginning of the grant period to implement projects. Grantee Requirements & Reports Upon receiving a PASJ grant, program staff will schedule an initial check-in to discuss any shifts in project plans, schedule an interim check-in based on the project timeline, and answer any questions grantees may have about the grant. PASJ grants will be released in three installments: 45% upon signing the grantee agreement at the beginning of the grant period, 45% upon completing an interim grantee check-in with program staff (Zoom call), 10% upon approval of the final grantee report. Note: Public Art for Spatial Justice grants are taxable income to individual recipients and reportable to the IRS. All grantees will receive an IRS Form 1099 from NEFA. Interim Grantee Check-In Grantees are required to complete an interim check-in with program staff to receive the second payment (45% of grant total). The date/time of the interim grantee check-in will be agreed upon but NEFA staff and grantee at the beginning of the grant year. Grantee will be asked to share an update on the project, including but not limited to major changes related to the project workplan, timeline or budget. The interim grantee check-in will be conducted as a recorded virtual conversation with program staff. If unanticipated delays occur in your project timeline or major changes need to be made to the scope of your project, please contact the public art program staff to discuss next steps as soon as possible. Final Grantee Report Grantees are required to complete a final grantee report 40 days after the project is completed. Approval of final grantee report is required to receive the third and final payment (10% of grant total). Grantee report can be found in the online grant portal. Grantees who do not submit a grantee report will not be eligible for future Public Art for Spatial Justice grants. Note: If the timing of the payments presents an economic hardship, please contact the Public Art Team as soon as possible to discuss options. Funders Public Art for Spatial Justice is made possible with funding from the Barr Foundation and the Fund for the Arts at NEFA. Application Info Applications are due Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 11:59p ET for opportunities that take place March 2026 – February 2028.

What is Offered

Grants range from $15,000-$30,000 for up to a two-year grant period (March 2026 through February 2028). Grants are released in three installments (45%, 45%, 10%). Office hours are available for applicants.

Requirements

Lead Applicant must be based in Massachusetts. Individual artist applicants must be 18+ years old. Artistic collaborations may be a group of artists informally working together or an artist collective. Community-based organizations in Massachusetts, working in collaboration with artists, are also eligible. Proposed public art projects must: be located in Massachusetts, engage the public realm and/or be available to the general public, and cultivate expressions or embodiments of spatial justice through public artmaking. Projects of all artistic disciplines are eligible. Not eligible: Lead applicants based outside of Massachusetts, proposed projects based outside of Massachusetts, current PASJ grantees who have not completed their report, and past PASJ grantees who have not waited a full calendar year from completing their previous grantee report.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through NEFA’s online grant portal. Applicants can preview application questions and sign up for office hours. Links are provided to 'Apply Now' and 'Resume My Application'.