Printed Matter Publisher Work Grant 2026

Institution: Printed Matter
Location: Worldwide
Grant: Three unrestricted grants of USD 10,000 each
Eligibility: Independent artists’ book publishers
Application Deadline: 4 October 2026

Printed Matter is accepting applications for the 2026 Publisher Work Grant, an unrestricted funding programme supporting independent artists’ book publishers. Made possible through the support of the Wagner Foundation, the grant recognises publishers with an established record of producing artists’ books while providing financial support to strengthen future publishing projects and the long-term sustainability of their imprints.

Grant Details

• Three unrestricted grants of USD 10,000 will be awarded.
• Recipients will also receive a featured exhibitor presence at a future Printed Matter New York or Los Angeles Art Book Fair in 2027.
• Funds may be used for publishing projects, artists’ fees, production costs, equipment, studio expenses, rent, staffing, or other operational needs.
• No specific project is required, allowing publishers to determine how the funding best supports their practice.

Eligibility

• Open to independent artists’ book publishers worldwide.
• Applicants must have at least one year of publishing history and an active publishing programme.
• Publishers should demonstrate a sustained commitment to artists’ books and future publishing plans.
• Commercial publishers producing only client work and publishers supported by large institutions are generally not eligible.
• Previous recipients of the Publisher Work Grant are not eligible to apply again.

Selection Criteria

• Quality and originality of previous publishing projects.
• Strength and ambition of future publishing plans.
• Commitment to artists’ books as an experimental artistic medium.
• Support for emerging or underrepresented artists and communities.
• Potential impact of the grant on the publisher’s long-term sustainability.

Additional Information

• Applications are reviewed by Printed Matter together with an invited jury.
• International applicants are encouraged to apply.
• Successful publishers will provide a brief report one year after receiving the grant.
• Awardees are expected to acknowledge the grant in future supported publications.