Madrone Art Bar is excited to announce a new $1,500 microgrant program launching in 2026 for San Francisco–based visual artists.

Grant Overview

The Madrone Artist Grant is a microgrant and group showcase program grounded in the long, living history of Madrone Art Bar — a place where art, music, conversation, and community have intertwined for decades. From its walls lined with local artwork to its role as a gathering space for artists, writers, musicians, and neighbors, Madrone has long served as a quiet incubator for San Francisco’s creative life. This grant carries that spirit forward, honoring the bar’s enduring commitment to local culture by supporting emerging and mid-career visual artists and helping their work continue to circulate, evolve, and be seen.

Key Dates & Details:

Grant Cycle: Annual 

Launch: Call for Artists – April 1, 2026 (12:00 a.m. PST) – June 1, 2026 (12:00 a.m. PST)

Selection Process: June 1, 2026, to July 31, 2026 

Award Notification: August 1, 2026 

Group Showcase: October 1, 2026, to November 30, 2026 

Funding: Privately funded

We will be issuing grant awards to a total of 4 recipients.

Each selected artist will receive:

• $1,500 grant award
• A group showcase at Madrone Art Bar, along with the other grant recipients
• Promotional support through community and media channels.

Note: The grant is awarded in recognition of artistic practice and does not need to be used to produce a specific new work.

Eligibility

Visual artists 21+ residing in San Francisco County. (Must be able to provide proof of SF Residency if selected.)

Selection Process & Scoring Criteria

The selection process will take approximately two months (June 1st – July 31st). Eligible applications will be reviewed by our panelists.

Each panelist will: 

• Independently review applications, portfolios, and artist statements
• Score each applicant using the scoring criteria (listed below) and scoring rubric (1–5 scale)
• Join a group discussion to finalize recipient selections (4 recipients total)

Scoring Criteria:

Panelists

The Madrone Artist Grant will be reviewed by a five-member panel selected for their diverse artistic disciplines, professional backgrounds, and deep connections to the San Francisco arts community. Panelists include practicing artists, curators, and educators who are either currently based in San Francisco or have a longstanding history of living and working within the city’s creative ecosystem.

Michelle Mansour

Michelle Mansour is an Egyptian-American artist, educator, curator, and arts leader based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She works across painting and mixed media, exploring interior states of perception, ontological inquiry, embodiment, and the tension between control and unpredictability through layered surfaces and mark-making practices. Mansour’s work has been exhibited widely in nonprofit and commercial galleries, including solo shows at the SFMOMA Artists Gallery and group exhibitions at Southern Exposure, Bedford Gallery, Morris Graves Museum, and others. She is also represented in public and private collections.

Mansour holds an MFA in Painting from the San Francisco Art Institute, a Post-Baccalaureate in Art Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and a BA in Art Theory and Practice from Northwestern University. She has lectured and served on panels with organizations such as the San Francisco Arts Commission, California College of the Arts, and the University of San Francisco. From 2007 to 2024, she served as Executive Director of Root Division, a prominent San Francisco visual arts nonprofit that supports emerging artists through exhibitions, studios, residencies, and educational programming.

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Holly Wong

Holly Wong is a San Francisco–based fiber and mixed media artist whose work encompasses installations, collaged paintings, drawing, and fiber-based assemblages. She is known for creating deeply layered art that explores themes of healing, resilience, grief, and transformation through an immersive engagement with materials such as fiber, sewing, collage, pattern, and drawing. Wong holds both a BFA and MFA (New Genres) from the San Francisco Art Institute, and has participated in over 100 solo and group exhibitions at institutions including the de Young Museum, Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Contemporary Jewish Museum. Her work has earned numerous honors and grants, including the California Arts Council Established Artist Fellowship, Puffin Foundation grants, the George Sugarman Foundation Award, and the Barbara Deming Memorial Fund grant. She is represented by SLATE Contemporary Gallery (Oakland, CA), Bridgette Mayer Gallery (Philadelphia, PA), ELLIO Fine Art (Houston, TX), and Walker Fine Art (Denver, CO).

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Rhiannon Evans MacFadyen

Rhiannon Evans MacFadyen is a San Francisco–based curator, consultant, and project-based artist working across visual, performance, and community-centered practices. With a long background in the performing and visual arts, their work is deeply influenced by their own—and their communities’—intersectional identities, and driven by a pursuit of what they describe as “productive discomfort.” Their curatorial focus centers on projects that push boundaries of scale, scope, medium, venue, and dialogue, while their cross-disciplinary personal work engages symbols, identity, communication, and the unseen.

In 2013, MacFadyen founded A Simple Collective, an organization dedicated to fostering creative independence for professionals and professional independence for creatives, as well as Black & White Projects, an experimental project space in San Francisco’s Mission District. Deeply involved in arts-based community building, they serve on the Curatorial Committee for Root Division, launched the RE[FRAME] Arts Industry Conference at the Museum of the African Diaspora in 2015, and are Director of Emerging Arts Professionals. They are also a founding member of Pacific Felt Factory and Invisibility Collective, an emeritus member of 3.9 Art Collective, an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco, and the SFAC 2024–25 Curator in Residence at India Basin Waterfront Park in Bayview, San Francisco.

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Jeremiah Jenkins

Jeremiah Jenkins is a San Francisco–based ceramics and sculpture artist, educator, and studio leader working across clay, conceptual sculpture, and mixed media. He is known for a dynamic practice that blends functional ceramics, experimental sculpture, and material-driven work with conceptual engagements that explore form, meaning, and cultural narratives. Jenkins holds a BFA from East Tennessee State University and an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute, and his work has been shown locally and nationally in solo and group exhibitions at Transmission Gallery, Hashimoto Contemporary, Ever Gold Projects, and Diablo Valley College, among others.

Jenkins is currently a full-time faculty member in Ceramics and Sculpture at Chabot College and previously served on the Program Staff at California College of the Arts, where he contributed to ceramics studio leadership and arts education.

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Deb Leal

Roadside culture influences Mexican-American photographer Deb Leal (b. Corpus Christi, TX; raised in Milwaukee, WI), whose work is informed by roadtrips between these two regions. Her practice examines cultural memory, iconography, and regional nuances the American experience.

Leal was selected for the 2025 CPW-Kingston Portfolio Review and The New York Portfolio Review. She received a nomination for the 2026 TED Fellowship and has completed commissions for The New York Times Magazine, Bon Appétit, and Byline. Her work is included in the archives of OSMOS Magazine #39, Fotofilmic’s JRNL 22, Musée Magazine no. 26: Spaces, and Aesthetica’s “Future Now 2023.” Leal has exhibited at venues such as The International Center of Photography, Photoville at Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York, The deYoung Art Museum, and The Tenderloin Museum in San Francisco. She is currently based in Brooklyn, NY.

Website: debleal.com Instagram: @st.cine

*Panelists must disclose any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from related reviews.

Post-Award Responsibilities

• Grant Acceptance & Terms:
  • Selected recipients will be required to sign a Grant Agreement confirming their acceptance of the grant terms and conditions. These terms include, but are not limited to:
    • Publicity & Acknowledgment: Permission for Madrone Art Bar to reference the artist and their work for promotional and documentation purposes related to the grant and group showcase.
    • Tax & Financial Responsibility: Acknowledgment of responsibility for any applicable taxes associated with the grant award.
    • Liability & Display Environment Compliance: Agreement to comply with venue guidelines related to artwork installation, display, and safety.
  • Full grant terms and conditions will be provided to selected recipients before acceptance.
• Grant Award Payment:
  • Upon receipt of an executed Grant Agreement (and any additional required documentation), payment will be released within two business days.
• Recipient Self-Reflection & Follow-Up:
  • Grant recipients will be asked to complete a brief self-reflection and survey following the award period. This may include a short written reflection, photos, or documentation showing how the grant funds were used. This follow-up is intended for documentation and reflection purposes only.
• Tax Forms:
  • We will collect W-9 forms from all recipients. A 1099 will be issued in accordance with IRS requirements.

How to Apply

Applications will be submitted via a Google Form (available beginning April 1, 2026). There is no fee to apply. Applicants are encouraged to allow sufficient time to complete and submit their application, as technical issues can occasionally occur. We recommend saving a copy of your responses in a separate document before submitting.

Application materials include:

• Artist Information
  • Name and contact information.

• Artistic Background
  • Artistic Medium
  • Website/Digital Portfolio
  • Artist Biography (under 100 words) – Applicants will be asked to provide a brief overview of their career and their development as an artist. 
  • Artist Statement (under 100 words) – Applicants will be asked to provide a short statement about their vision as an artist and what they strive to convey in their work. This could include information about their creative process, style, or influences that guide or inspire their work. 

• Artwork Information
  • 5 high-quality images (format e.g., “Jane_Doe-1.jpg,” “Jane_Doe-2.jpg”) that provide examples of your work and/or installations.
  • A single text document (format, e.g., “Jane_Doe-list.docx”) containing details corresponding to each submitted image (title, medium, size, description, year, and retail price if applicable) and a brief description of each piece. (100–200 words).
  • Please upload your images as JPG, PNG, or PDF files (maximum 10MB each).

• Personal Statement
  • Applicants will be asked to describe their intended use of the Madrone Artist Grant funds (minimum of 175 words). They will need to be specific about how the grant award will support their artistic practice, a particular project, exhibition costs, materials, or professional development. We want to know how this funding would make an impact on their work and artistic growth.  

• Miscellaneous
  • Showcase Availability
  • How did you learn about this grant?
  • Optional Demographic Information

Applications will not be accepted after the June 1, 12:00 a.m. PST deadline.

Accessibility & Accommodations

Madrone Art Bar is committed to making the grant and group showcase as accessible as possible. The venue is ADA-accessible. Reasonable installation accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you have accessibility needs related to installation, display, or participation in the group showcase, you will have an opportunity to share this information if selected.

We encourage artists to reach out in advance with questions about accessibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility & Basics

• Who is eligible to apply for the grant?
  • Visual artists 21+ who currently reside in San Francisco County.
• What artistic disciplines are eligible for this grant?
  • Artists working in the following disciplines are encouraged to apply:
    • Painting & Drawing
    • Sculpture & Ceramics
    • Mixed Media & Installation
    • Photography
    • Textiles/Fiber
    • Printmaking
    • Digital Art (including video and time-based work)
• What happens if I apply but do not meet the eligibility requirements?
  • Applications that do not meet the stated eligibility requirements—including age and San Francisco County residency—will not be reviewed. Submission of an application does not guarantee eligibility or selection.
• Can I apply if I don’t currently have a website?
  • Yes. Applicants may submit a digital portfolio hosted on a personal website or portfolio platform. Social media profiles alone are not accepted.
• Can I submit collaborative or collective work?
  • Collaborative or collective applications are not currently eligible. Applications must be submitted by an individual artist.
• Can I apply if I have shown work at Madrone Art Bar before?
  • Yes. Prior exhibition at Madrone Art Bar does not affect eligibility or selection.
• If chosen as a grant recipient, does the artwork that I submit in my application have to be the same artwork that I present at the group showcase?
  • No. The art that you submit in your application can be different from the art that you end up presenting at the group showcase.

Application Timeline & Submission

• When will the grant application be available?
  • The grant application will be available from April 1, 2026 (12:00 a.m. PST) – June 1, 2026 (12:00 a.m. PST).
• Where can I submit my application?
  • Starting on April 1st, you can submit your application via this Google Form.
• How many images should I submit?
  • Applicants are required to submit five (5) images of their work, along with an image list document containing details for each piece.
• Can I update my application after submission?
  • Yes. Applicants will be able to edit their application after submission until the application deadline. We encourage applicants to review their materials carefully before the deadline, as changes will not be accepted after submissions close.
• Who can I contact if I’m having issues submitting my application?
  • If you have any questions regarding this application or the selection process, please email grant@madroneartbar.com.
• Will there be information sessions for the grant?
  • Yes. We will be hosting two information sessions at the end of April / first week of May:
    • In-person session: 5:30–7:00 pm
    • Virtual session: 12:00–1:30 pm
    • These sessions will cover the application process, eligibility, and timeline, and include time for Q&A. Exact dates, locations, and registration details will be shared soon.

Review & Selection Process

• Who determines who can get a grant award?
  • Grant recipients are selected by the review panel based on the published scoring criteria.
• How is the selection process conducted?  
  • Applications are reviewed independently by each panelist, scored using a standardized rubric, and discussed collectively to select four recipients.
• Are panelists compensated for their work?
  • Yes, panelists will be paid an honorarium of $200 for their time.
• Do I need to be available in person for the review process?
  • No. All application reviews are conducted independently by the panel. Artists are not required to attend interviews or presentations as part of the selection process.
• Will I receive feedback on my application?
  • Due to capacity, panelists will not be able to provide feedback on applications.

Grant Use, Award, and Payment

• What can the grant award be used for?
  • There is no limit on the use of the grant award. The $1,500 can be used for whatever the artist deems necessary, including, but not limited to, materials, studio costs, exhibition expenses, professional development, documentation, or living expenses related to sustaining an artistic practice.
• What happens if my application is successful?
  • If your application is successful and you are chosen as a grant recipient, you will be notified via email by August 1st.
• How long will it take to receive the grant award once I’ve been notified?
  • Upon receipt of an executed Grant Agreement (and any additional required documentation), payment will be released within two business days.
• Will my application materials be shared publicly?
  • Application materials are reviewed only by the Madrone Artist Grant review panel and grant administrators. Submitted materials will not be shared publicly without the artist’s permission.

Group Showcase

• If selected, who will install my artwork for the group showcase?
  • The Madrone staff will be available to assist artists with their installation.
• Is the group showcase curated or juried after selection?
  • The group showcase will be organized in collaboration with selected artists. Final artwork selections for display will be coordinated with Madrone Art Bar staff.
• What happens if I can no longer participate in the group showcase?
  • If selected artists are unable to participate in the group showcase, they should notify Madrone Art Bar as soon as possible.

If You’re Not Selected

• What happens if my application is not successful?
  • All applicants will be notified via email by August 1, 2026. Artists who are not selected in a given grant cycle are encouraged to apply again in future years.

Accessibility & Support

• Is the Madrone Art Bar venue accessible?
  • Yes. Madrone Art Bar is ADA-accessible. Reasonable installation and participation accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Who should I contact if I have accessibility needs or questions?
  • If you have accessibility needs related to the application, selection process, or group showcase, please contact grant@madroneartbar.com. We are happy to discuss reasonable accommodations.

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact us at grant@madroneartbar.com.