wavemaker grant 2026
Annual incubator grant opportunity for Miami-based artists to bring experimental new ideas to life across Miami neighborhoods. Applications open February 1 at midnight. DEADLINE is April 1, 2026 at 11:59pm - no exceptions.
About WaveMaker Grants
WaveMaker Grants at Locust Projects supports Miami’s visionary artists with incubator grants to research, kick off or re-energize innovative artist-driven projects that are shared with the public in unconventional spaces.
Since 2015, WaveMaker has awarded $690,000 in funding to 139 of Miami’s visionary artists.
Grantees receive up to $6,000 each in three categories: New Work/Projects | Long-Haul Projects, and | Research & Development + Implementation. In the spirit of Locust Projects’ artist-driven, experimental mission, WaveMakers experiment and take risks, creating innovative work that is shared in unconventional public spaces.
WaveMaker Grants are made possible by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts' Regional Regranting Program, a network of 36 regranting partners across the country.
Selection Criteria
All projects must engage or be shared with the public at no cost in unconventional spaces in Miami-Dade County. This may include exhibitions, performances, events, workshops, screenings, programming at alternative or artist-run-spaces. Projects can NOT be presented at art museums or commercial galleries or other traditional arts venues or those venues requiring paid admission.
All proposals will be considered based on criteria including but not limited to:
Overall idea, vision, and artistic innovation
Relevance to the local social, cultural, and/or geographic context
Accessibility of the project to the public for FREE outside of a museum or gallery, etc..
In person gatherings in free, publicly accessible spaces are an essential requirement.
Capacity of the applicant to realize the project on time and within budget
Potential impact on the local community, the arts and culture landscape, and/or the artist’s growth