In 1980 the DeGolyer and Kimbrough families established two funds—the Clare Hart DeGolyer Memorial Fund and the Arch and Anne Giles Kimbrough Fund—for the purpose of recognizing exceptional talent and promise in young artists residing in the southwestern part of the United States. Ten years later, the Otis and Velma Davis Dozier Travel Grant was established to honor the memory of these two Dallas artists, who strongly believed in the enriching experiential and aesthetic influence of travel on an artist’s work. Together, these three funds created what is now known as Awards to Artists.
The DMA’s annual Awards to Artists grant program has supported the creative and professional development of artists across Texas and the Southwest. For over four decades, Awards to Artists has distributed more than $1 million to emerging, mid-career, and established artists, providing meaningful support at critical moments in their careers and helping them advance their practices. Many recipients have gone on to successful careers in North Texas and across the country, and several are now represented in the Dallas Museum of Art’s collection.
Awards to Artists reaffirms the Museum’s longstanding commitment to recognizing and supporting local artists and providing resources for these artists to expand their artistic practice.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 25
- Applicants must reside in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, or Colorado and have lived there for the past three years
Generally, awards from the Clare Hart DeGolyer Memorial Fund do not exceed $1,500. Past recipients of this award have used these funds to purchase art materials and equipment, rent studio spaces, and support research and travel through the purchase of transportation tickets and museum admission tickets. This fund will not cover tuition or artist residency programs.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must be under the age of 30
- Applicants must currently reside in Texas and have lived there for the past three years
Generally, awards from the Arch and Anne Giles Kimbrough Fund do not exceed $3,500. Past recipients of this award have used these funds to purchase art materials and equipment, rent studio spaces, compensate studio assistants, and cover travel and hotel costs to attend international art exhibitions such as the Venice Biennale. This fund will not cover tuition or artist residency programs.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must be over the age of 30
- Applicants must currently reside in Texas and have lived there for the past three years
- Applicants must be a practicing professional
Generally, awards from the Otis and Velma Davis Dozier Travel Grant do not exceed $6,000. Past recipients of this award have used these funds to conduct research on natural pigment in Poland, trace and photograph the Mexican American border from Texas to California, visit and study the architecture of hot tub factories across the United States, and participate in sonic therapy with Buddhist monks in Koyasan, Japan. In the spirit of enrichment, this fund will not cover travel related to artist residency programs or exhibitions in which the applicant is featured.
Applications open October 16, 2026, and close February 15, 2027. Awardees will be notified in April 2027. Please note that incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Each grant application requires:
- The completion and submission of a digital form for the award of choice
- The submission of a résumé/CV, itemized budget, and supplementary images
- Two references listed, no recommendation letters
Follow the links below to apply:
Questions about Awards to Artists?
Please contact awardstoartists@dma.org for questions about the award and application process.
For questions about using the application portal, please refer to the SlideRoom Help Center or contact support@slideroom.com.