grant programs

New Bedford Creative facilitates multiple grant programs to help advance New Bedford as one of the most culturally unique and creative cities in America. These grant programs are funded by the City of New Bedford’s Arts, Culture, and Tourism Fund, with additional support from Barr Foundation, Bristol County Savings Bank, Mass Cultural Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Seaport Art Walk is New Bedford’s first large format outdoor public art installation. Each summer, sculpture and murals are strategically placed along New Bedford’s working waterfront and Seaport Cultural District. Applications are currently open and must be submitted by 11:59PM EST on Sunday, February 23, 2025. Click here to apply!

Art is Everywhere supports projects that address pressing issues faced by New Bedford’s residents, visitors, and businesses, utilizing arts, culture, or creative approaches to create meaningful solutions in the city’s neighborhoods. Applications are currently closed, and will reopen in Fall 2025.

Wicked Cool Places supports projects that create or sustain vibrant, welcoming spaces that attract activity and foster community involvement, benefiting New Bedford’s residents, visitors, and businesses alike. Applications are currently closed, and will reopen in Fall 2025.

ARTnet was an artist recovery and training network to help 100 artists recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic by providing financial support, business planning support, training workshops, and access to a network of creative-entrepreneur peers. Funding from 2022 to 2024 was provided by the City of New Bedford’s ARPA/American Rescue Plan Act, supported by federal award number SLFRP1067 awarded to the City of New Bedford by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. As of May 2024, applications are closed.

If you have any questions about these programs, please email Creative Specialist Hendrick Hernandez-Resto at hhernandez@nbedc.org.

All New Bedford Creative grant programs use the NBEDC’s online application portal on Submittable. If it’s your first time using Submittable, you will need to create a new account with an email and password, it’s that simple.

To view additional funding opportunities from multiple sources locally, regionally, and nationally,

please visit the funding list in our Tool Box and our Fundraising page.

ARTnet ARPA Grant Program History

ARTnet was an artist recovery and training network to help 100 artists recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic by providing financial support, business planning support, training workshops, and access to a network of creative-entrepreneur peers.

ARTnet included cohort-based learning in business and finance, 1-on-1 technical assistance and mentoring, and working capital grants for artists based in New Bedford. The majority of artists were selected on the basis of their negative financial circumstances caused by the pandemic, and their readiness to benefit from the opportunity. Facilitated by New Bedford Creative at the New Bedford Economic Development Council, this program was one component to respond to the public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

From January 2023 through May 2024, the following 100 individuals were accepted and participated in the ARTnet ARPA Grant Program:

Beatrice Alder – ceramicist, printmaker, textile artist, and writer
Elaine Alder – textile/fabric artist
Erik Andrade – poet & cultural organizer, artist
Jordan Andrade – music artist, producer, mix engineer
David Andrews – multimedia visual artist
Andrew Anello – organizer, DJ
Nicholas Angelini – musician/drum builder
Angela Aranjo – photographer
Bazel Baez – guitarist, singer & songwriter
Candida Rose Baptista – singer & songwriter
Kyrel Barboza – music artist
Ronald Barboza – photographer and artist
Marcus Barrett – performer, songwriter, videographer
Cara Bean – cartoonist, art educator, author
Shanika Berry – fashion designer
Alison Borges – oil painter & charcoal drawer
Justin Botelho – photographer, videographer
Iva Brito – poet & artist
Alex Buchanan – artist and fabricator
Catherine Carter – abstract painter & art educator
Kathi Chase – acrylic & mixed media painter
Kayla Conner – painter, poet and educator
Crystal Cruz – educator
Jonathan Cruz – actor & filmmaker
Autumn Cyr – graphic designer & visual artist
Matthew DaSilva – photographer, videographer
Ethan de Aguiar – cinematographer, storyteller, filmmaker
Paul Deare – writer, videographer, multimedia cultural practitioner
Christopher DeOliveira – visual artist
Sarah Donner – musician & producer
Cedric Douglas – designer, muralist, social interventionist
Kristin duCharme – interdisciplinary artist
Genevieve duCharme-Hill – painter
Korie Ellis – natural dyer, textile artist
Rhonda Fazio – environmental alchemist
Ronald Fortier – painter and documentarian
Amanda Fraser – painter
Kate Frazer Rego – visual artist/educator
Paulina Fuenzalida – textile artist
Brendalee Galarza – permanent makeup artist
Jose Galarza – tattoo artist
Samantha Garlington – photographer
Meclina Gomes – painter, microcalligrapher
Chakira Gonsalves – painter, fabric artist, cosmetologist
Tatiana Gonzalez – singer & songwriter
Dougie Grace – music producer, mix engineer
Isaiah Grace – actor & filmmaker
Jessica Gracia – videographer, photographer, painter, sculptor
David Guadalupe – visual artist
Dena Haden – installation, sculpture, textile, visual artist
D’Lanor Harris – performance artist, dancer
Sydney Hawes – costume & textile artist
Hendrick Hernandez – music producer
Taylor Hickey – interdisciplinary visual artist
Zulay Holland – illustrator, printmaker, face painter, DJ
Pamela Hoss – painter & drawer
Cedric Josey – singer, songwriter, educator
Julian Juan – DJ
Michelle Lapointe – stained glass artist, painter and photographer
Ian Lewis – performing arts educator
Dawn Lopes – filmmaker and writer
Chago Luna – apparel designer
Nicole Luz – indigenous multidisciplinary artist
Michael McLean – craftsman, show producer, musician
David Meyers – illustrator, printmaker, face painter, DJ
Ryan Miller – multidisciplinary artist, poet, musician, multimedia artist
Robyn Miranda – photographer, model, designer, coordinator
Andres “Trajic” Montalvo – artist & songwriter
Michael Monteiro – musician & producer
Iean Morgan – multimedia artist: graphic design, photography, videography, music
Sarah Mulvey – writer, poet
Fallon Navarro – ceramist
Jennifer Newman-Arruda – metal smith, jeweler, textile artist, painter
Rafael “Macho” Nieves – singer-songwriter, performing artist, music producer, sound engineer
Madeline Peach – figurative painter
Nuno Pereira – musician/songwriter
Michael Pietragalla – practicing wood artisan and craftsman
Lana Quann – watercolor artist
Andy Ramos – music producer
Trevor Reilly – musician, recording engineer, studio owner
Eufemia Reis – painter
Bryan Ribeiro – DJ and artist
Paula Robinson Deare – multimedia cultural practitioner
Marisol Rosa – healing artist
Julia Roth – visual artist, interdisciplinary artist, therapist
Sandra Santos – textile artist and painter
Aneshia Savino – apothecary, dancer, scribe
Hannah Rose Schlieder – multimedia creative/painter
Debra Smook – multimedia visual artist, writer, educator
Eden Soares – visual artist/educator
Darnel Staley – musician, photographer
Kathleen Stykowski – doll creator
Marlowe Tavares – R&B/soul/neo soul singer
Jaden Teixeira – traditional and digital painter
Herbert Thompson – drawer/painter
Emilio Tirado – videographer, photographer, songwriter, music engineer
Hadisesadat Tourikarami – mixed media/fiber artist
Alison Wells – mixed media painter
Zachary White – mixed media painter & printmaker
Karen Zukas – writer, educator, painter and potter

Art is Everywhere! Grant Program Guidelines

The Art is Everywhere! Grant Program supports projects that address pressing issues faced by New Bedford’s residents, visitors, and businesses, utilizing arts, culture, or creative approaches to create meaningful solutions in the city’s neighborhoods.

Grant Awards: Award amounts range from $1,500 to $10,000 to support projects of varying scales, from smaller, adaptable ideas to larger visionary projects. Eligible applicants include individuals, non-profits, community groups, and for-profits.

To qualify, projects must:
1. Be based within New Bedford, MA.
2. Provide benefits to New Bedford residents, visitors, and/or businesses as outlined in the grant description.

Funding Support: This grant program is funded by the City’s Arts, Culture, and Tourism Fund, with additional support from Barr Foundation, Bristol County Savings Bank, and Mass Cultural Council. For 2025, this project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.

Application Information: All questions in the application are required unless otherwise noted. Incomplete or inaccurate responses may result in a rejected application. The online portal, Submittable, saves your progress as you complete the application, allowing you to take breaks.

Deadline: 2025 applications were due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, January 6, 2025.

Questions: Please contact Hendrick Hernandez-Resto, Creative Specialist, at hhernandez@nbedc.org.

History of Art is Everywhere:

This grant was originally created in 2020 with funding by MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) and the Barr Foundation as one component of a broader “TDI Creative Cities” initiative to boost arts-based economic development. Funding from 2022 to 2024 was provided by the City of New Bedford’s ARPA/American Rescue Plan Act, supported by federal award number SLFRP1067 awarded to the City of New Bedford by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, with additional support from the City’s Arts, Culture, and Tourism Fund, Barr Foundation, Bristol County Savings Bank, Mass Cultural Council, New Bedford Cultural Council, and SouthCoast Community Foundation.

In February 2024, the following projects were awarded an Art is Everywhere ARPA Grant:

3rd EyE Youth Empowerment – “Your New Bedford: Community Convos,” $7,000
AHA! (Art, History, Architecture) New Bedford – “Queer Arts Council: AHA! Pride Block Party,” $12,500
Alyssa Botelho – “Sweet Freedom Film Highlighting Mary ‘Polly’ Johnson,” $10,000
Cape Verdean Association in New Bedford – “Serpentine Benches for Island Park,” $20,000
Cape Verdean Recognition Committee – “52nd Annual Cape Verdean Recognition Parade,” $10,000
Coastal Foodshed – “Showcasing Local Creatives & Local Food,” $15,200
Dept. of Parks, Recreation & Beaches – “Arts in the Park,” $10,000
Erik Andrade, La Soul Renaissance – “La Soul Renaissance Verdean Veterans Cultural Memory / Placekeeping Project,” $20,000
Iva Brito, Soul Calling Retreats – “Embracing the Rich Tapestry of Culture: A Call to Celebrate and Educate,” $7,000
Massachusetts Design Art & Technology Institute (DATMA) – “Transform 2024: Designing, Upcycling, and Making Public Art with Local Youth,” $10,000
New Bedford Art Museum – “NBAM ArtMOBILE Creative Care,” $10,000
New Bedford Festival Theatre – “NBFT On Tour,” $10,000
Our Sisters School – “Strengthening Our Community Through Arts Collaboration,” $6,500
The Artists Index – “Community Digital Archive Project @Gallery X,” $8,000

In March 2023, the following projects were awarded an Art is Everywhere ARPA Grant:

AHA! (Art, History, Architecture) – “The Seaport Sessions,” $6,500
Artist David Andrews – “Kids Open Art Week,” $5,000
Cape Verdean Recognition Committee, Inc. – “51st Cape Verdean Recognition Parade,” $10,000
Cape Verdean Veteran Memorial Foundation, Inc. – “CV Music Sundays,” $8,000
Coastal Foodshed – “Learn to Love Local – Showcasing Local Musicians & Artists,” $5,000
Community Economic Development Center – “Celebrando Guatemala,” $8,150
DATMA: Massachusetts Design Art & Technology Institute – “Open Studios on the Sidewalk,” $7,000
Downtown New Bedford Inc. – “#activatewingscourt,” $5,000
Filmmaker Alyssa Botelho – “Sweet Freedom, the story of Mary ‘Polly’ Johnson,” $10,000
Gallery X – “High School Select Redux,” $5,000
Good Company NB – “Yoga + Art Camp,” $5,000
La Soul Renaissance – “La Soul Renaissance Spoken Word Poetry Show & Open Mic hosted by Erik Andrade with DJ Jules and Overflowing Cup Project,” $15,000
Little People’s College – “The Mural of Peace & Hope,” $5,000
New Bedford Festival Theatre – “BELIEVE IN YOURSELF: An Education & Community Outreach Program in Conjunction with NBFT’S Production of The Wiz,” $14,600
New Bedford Rowing Center – “ROW New Bedford ‘Reclaiming Our Waterway,'” $6,000
Our Sisters School – “Creativity for a Better World – Youth Action, Impact, and Heart!,” $9,750
Reggae on West Beach – “Reggae on West Beach,” $15,000

In June 2022, the following projects were awarded an Art is Everywhere Grant:

Coastal Foodshed – “Showcasing Local Creatives and Local Food,” $10,000
DATMA – “Safe Station: New Bedford’s Underground Railroad,” $6,000
David Andrews – “Kids Open Art Week,” $3,400
La Soul Renaissance – “La Soul Renaissance’s 20th Anniversary,” $13,000
New Bedford Historical Society – “Frederick Douglass Memorial in Abolition Row Park,” $20,000
SouthCoast Afghan Support Network – “Dil ba Dil Rah Dhara (From one heart to another),” $11,600
Yoga Es Vida – “Ease Into Summer, Bilingual Kids Yoga,” $6,000

In March 2021, the following projects were awarded an Art is Everywhere Grant:

Iva Brito – “Pandemic Renaissance – The Art of Surviving C 19,” $20,000
La Soul Renaissance – “Um Frenti Unido – Um Prujeto di Memória Kultural,” $12,000
New Bedford Children – “Creative Resource Center,” $12,000
Our Sisters’ School – “New Bedford’s Middle Schoolers as Literacy Ambassadors,” $2,500
South Coast LGBTQ+ Network – “Kaleidoscope – Art Through Your Eyes,” $2,500
Southcoast Coalition for Early Childhood Education – “The SouthCoast Learning Trails,” $15,000

In May 2020, the first Art is Everywhere Grant was announced:

3rd EyE Youth Empowerment – “Your New Bedford,” $25,000

“A thriving community is more than just what’s seen on the surface, it’s also what is not immediately visible… The New Bedford that visitors see, particularly in our revitalized historic downtown, is fueled by the influence, expression and culture of the communities and neighborhoods that lie outside the tourist map. It’s harder to connect right now, and our goal was to create a platform that empowers and showcases our communities and neighborhoods, celebrating the contributions we and our neighbors have made and will continue to make.” – Peter L. Walker

Wicked Cool Places Grant Program Guidelines

The Wicked Cool Places Grant Program supports projects that create or sustain vibrant, welcoming spaces that attract activity and foster community involvement, benefiting New Bedford’s residents, visitors, and businesses alike. Projects should fall under “placemaking” or “placekeeping”– making or keeping a place where things are happening and people want to be – defined as follows:

Placekeeping: “The active care and maintenance of a place and its social fabric by the people who live and work there. It is not just preserving buildings but keeping the cultural memories associated with a locale alive, while supporting the ability of local people to maintain their way of life as they choose.” —USDAC
Placemaking: “With community-based participation at its center, an effective placemaking process capitalizes on a local community’s assets, inspiration, and potential, and it results in the creation of quality public spaces that contribute to people’s health, happiness, and well-being.” —Project for Public Spaces

To qualify, projects must:
1. Be based within New Bedford, MA.
2. Provide benefits to New Bedford residents, visitors, and/or businesses as outlined in the grant description.

Deadline: 2025 applications were due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, January 6, 2025.

Questions: Please contact Hendrick Hernandez-Resto, Creative Specialist, at hhernandez@nbedc.org.

History of Wicked Cool Places:

This grant was originally created in 2019 with funding by the City of New Bedford’s Arts, Culture and Tourism Fund, with additional support by Bristol County Savings Bank. Funding from 2022 to 2024 was provided by the City of New Bedford’s ARPA/American Rescue Plan Act, supported by federal award number SLFRP1067 awarded to the City of New Bedford by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, with additional support from the City’s Arts, Culture, and Tourism Fund, Barr Foundation, Bristol County Savings Bank, Mass Cultural Council, New Bedford Cultural Council, and SouthCoast Community Foundation.

In February 2024, the following projects were awarded a Wicked Cool Places ARPA Grant:

3rd EyE Youth Empowerment – “Five Pillars of Hip Hop,” $7,000
AHA! (Art, History, Architecture) New Bedford – “AHA! New Bedford: AHA! Moments,” $10,000
Cape Verdean Association in New Bedford – “Exploring Pano,” $5,700
Cape Verdean Recognition Committee – “Flag Raising of the Republic of Cabo Verde,” $2,500
Community Economic Development Center – “Patio de Comidas & Festival Tipico de Guatemala,”$20,000
Erik Andrade, La Soul Renaissance – “La Soul Renaissance Spoken Word Poetry Show & Open Mic at Verdean Veterans Memorial Hall,” $20,000
Groundwork – “The Groundwork Gallery, Cultivating a Creative Community Coworking Space,” $5,000
Iva Brito, Soul Calling Retreats – “Healing the Maternal Community,” $5,800
J.E. Ingoldsby, ASLA, Natural and Cultural Landscapes and Landscape Mosaics – “Landscape + Architecture: Historic Trees of New Bedford 2,” $5,000
Massachusetts Design Art & Technology Institute (DATMA) – “The Art of Technology: Exploring Transformative Innovations of the SouthCoast,” $10,000
NB Roots & Branches Festival – “NB Roots and Branches Festival 2024,” $10,000
New Bedford Art Museum – “NBAM ArtMOBILE Around the City,” $10,000
New Bedford Film Festival – “New Bedford Film Festival,” $8,000
New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center – “Casting a Wider Net,”$10,000
New Bedford Whaling Museum – “Community Blooms, The New Bedford Whaling Museum,” $3,000
New Moon Dance Party – “BodyBodyBody, Riverside Beats, New Moon Roller Disco,” $10,000
Reverie Theatre Group and Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum – “Shakespeare in New Bedford 2024: Twelfth Night,” $6,000
Spinner Publications – “The New Bedford Blubber: Writers’ Workshops,” $10,000

In March 2023, the following projects were awarded a Wicked Cool Places ARPA Grant:

3rd EyE Unlimited – “5 Pillars of Hip Hop Pop-Up Series,” $5,000
Azorean Maritime Heritage Society – “12th International Azorean Whaleboat Regatta in New Bedford,” $8,000
Buy Black NB – “Buy Black NB Juneteenth Pop-up Vendor Market,” $8,000
Cape Verdean Recognition Committee, Inc. – “Cape Verdean Recognition Week – Flag Raising,” $2,000
CEDC – Community Economic Development Center – “Patio de Comidas y Festival Tipico de Guatemala,” $12,000
Coastal Foodshed – “Learn to Love Local: Fighting Food Insecurity Through Increased Access to Local Food & Culturally Diverse Cooking Education,” $15,000
Downtown New Bedford Inc. – “Activate dNB! Shop Small Crawl, Fall Fest, Holiday Stroll,” $12,000
Dream Out Loud Center – “New Bedford YOUth LIVE,” $5,000
Duende Studio – “Integrated public art,” $14,520
New Moon Dance Party – “BodyBodyBody, Riverside Beats, New Moon Roller Disco,” $10,000
Paulinarte – “Traveling exhibition of Latino Artists,” $8,000
Queer Arts Council of New Bedford – “AHA! Pride Block Party 2023,” $8,000
Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum – “Shakespeare in New Bedford 2023 – The Tempest,” $6,000
Yoga Es Vida – “The Mindful Jar and Kids Yoga Series,” $6,000

In January 2022, the following projects were awarded a Wicked Cool Places Grant:

BuyBlackNB – “Juneteenth Pop-up Vendor Market,” $5,000
Coastal Foodshed – “Learn to Love Local,” $2,000
Community Economic Development Center – “Patio de Comidas,” $5,000
DATMA – “Community Tides,” $4,000
Downtown New Bedford Inc. – “Shop Small Crawl, All Treats No Tricks, Holiday Stroll,” $3,000
La Soul Renaissance – “Poesia di Protesto e Luta,” $5,000
Mindful Melodies – “Little Melodies Music Therapy and Yoga,” $5,000
New Bedford Art Museum – “artMOBILE Clay-on-Wheels,” $5,000
New Bedford Symphony Orchestra and Cape Verdean Association in New Bedford – “Junta Mon: Together in Music”, $5,000
New Moon Dance Party – “BodyBodyBody and Riverside Beats,” $5,000
Pilgrim United Church of Christ – “Booker T. Washington Mural,” $4,000
Queer Arts Council – “AHA! Pride Block Party,” $5,000
Reggae On West Beach – “Reggae on West Beach,” $5,000
Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum – “Shakespeare in New Bedford 2022 – A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” $2,000
South Coast LGBTQ+ Network – “South Coast Pride,” $5,000
SuperflatNB – “Harmony Within Flora and Fauna Temporary Mural,” $5,000

In February 2021, the following projects were awarded a Wicked Cool Places Grant:

3rd EyE Unlimited – “(Y)Our New Bedford: The Secret City Revealed”
BuyBlackNB – “Custom House Square Market”
Downtown New Bedford, Inc. – “Shop Small Crawl, All Treats No Tricks, Holiday Stroll”
Fitzcarmel LaMarre – “NEW DEADFORD”
Good Company NB – “teensXyoga”
New Bedford Art Museum – “artMOBILE + Ruth E. Carter”
New Bedford Festival Theatre – “Summer Academy 2020”
New Bedford Symphony Orchestra – “Music in the Streets”
UMassD CVPA Interior Architecture + Design – “Phillips Ave Pocket Park Revitalization”

In October 2019, the following projects were awarded a Wicked Cool Places Grant:

3rd EyE Unlimited – “3rd EyE Open and 3rd EyE on the Pride”
AHA! New Bedford – “AHA! Pride Block Party”
Alexander Jardin – “Haskell Jardin Garden and Sculpture”
Coastal Foodshed – “Palate to Palette: Art at the Farmers Market”
Community Economic Development Center – “Festival Tipico de Gautemala”
Fiber Optic Center and New Bedford Historical Society – “Jazz Wall Mural”
Hatch Street Studios – Fall & Spring Open Studios and Arts Blog”
New Bedford Folk Festival – “25th Anniversary”
New Bedford Art Museum – “Creative Courts”
Reggae On West Beach – “Reggae On West Beach”
Southcoast Lessons – “Open Season Series”
South Coast LGBTQ+ Network – “Pride Art Expo and Art in the Park”
SuperflatNB – “Postcard Mural”

In December 2018, the following projects were awarded a Wicked Cool Places Grant:

3rd EyE Unlimited – “3rd EyE Open”
DATMA, UMass Dartmouth, and Bristol Community College – “Seaport Art Walk: Whirlwind of Art”
Diana Arvanites – “Mobile Art Studio for Creative Disruption”
Co-Creative Center – “Commune-n-Tea”
Community Economic Development Center – “Vacant Storefront Art Gallery”
Mia Pinheiro – “Vecinos”
New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center – “Upper William Street Festival”
Reggae on West Beach – “Reggae on West Beach”
Southcoast Lessons – “Open Season”
SuperflatNB – “Artist-in-Residence”
Tracy Barbosa – “Kite Festival Workshops”
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Lighting Installations – “Wing’s Court Temporary Lightning”

In April 2018, the first Wicked Cool Places Grants were announced:

3rd EyE Unlimited and Hatch Street Studios – “Second Saturdays”
New Bedford Art Museum – “John James Audubon Exhibit”
Seaport Art Walk – “Seaport Art Walk: Frederick Douglass Bicentennial”
SuperflatNB – “Acushnet Avenue Live Painting”