Upper ID: a blue background with BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant Logo in the middle.
BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant cycle will open on Monday, June 1, 2026.
More details to come soon.
PURPOSE
The Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Deaf Arts Grant is an annual program, established in 2021, that provides financial support for emerging and established artists to further advance their careers.
The Deaf Arts Grant will make a crucial difference for BIPOC Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing artists to thrive in the challenging arts field. This grant is supported by Deaf Spotlight (Seattle, WA) and Urban Jazz Dance Company (Bay Area, CA).
To sign up for grant updates and opportunities, please email BIPOCDeafArtsGrant@deafspotlight.org.
ID: Flyer for “Virtual Info Session” with the BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant logo on top left corner. Text below: “When: Tuesday, June 9, 2026. 4:30 PM - 6 PM PST/ 7:30 PM - 9 PM EST. Last day to sign up: Friday June 5 2026. tinyurl.com/DS-BDAG “. QR code at bottom right corner.
Join our virtual Info Session to learn more.
When: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 from 4:30 - 6:00 pm PST
Please register below by Friday, June 5.
Come learn how to apply for the BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant! Here's your chance to chat with the planning committee and to prep your application ahead of time.
To qualify for this grant, you must:
Identify as a member of an underrepresented racial group, such as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC)
Identify as Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, or Hard of Hearing
Identify as an artist who makes original art
Live in the United States or U.S. Territories. US citizenship is not required.
Be at least 18 years of age by the time grant funds are dispersed by Friday, August 28, 2026
ID: a light blue banner with 2025 BIPOC Deaf Arts recipients, with photographs of the four recipients in a row on top of colorful half-circles, with a name attached to each photo. From left to right: Daniel Katz-Herandez, Felicia B. Kohls, Kami Padden, and Rydrea Walker.
BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant Recipients Selected for 2025
Deaf Spotlight is excited to announce the 2025 recipients of the BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant! From 29 applicants, we narrowed it to 4 best candidates based on the strength and diversity of their portfolios, clarity of their plans/goals and potential momentum to push their work forward with our funding.
The recipients are:
Daniel Katz-Hernandez | Visual Arts
Felicia B. Kohls | Literary Arts
Kami Padden | Visual Arts
Rydrea Walker | Media Arts
We’re thrilled to continue this grant to support the next group of emerging and experienced BIPOC Deaf artists. Handwaves! We can’t wait to see what they create with this grant.
To sign up for grant updates and opportunities, please email BIPOCDeafArtsGrant@deafspotlight.org.