Not every grant demands a registered company and a ten-page financial model. The Open Arts Fund asks for two pages and a clear idea, and it pays up to ₦500,000 with no restrictions on how you spend it.
It is open to creatives based in Nigeria whose work supports the Northern Nigeria creative scene. The deadline is 10 November 2026.
About the Programme
Open Arts is a creative organisation that runs an annual open call. It has two funds: the Open Arts Fund, open to eligible creatives across Nigeria, and the Open Arts Community Fund, reserved for members of the Open Arts Community.
Both exist to move creative projects from idea to completion, with a clear link to Northern Nigeria’s creative ecosystem.
Benefits
Each grant is up to ₦500,000 and unrestricted, so you decide what the project needs most, whether that is equipment, production costs or fees for collaborators. Your project must be completed within six months of receiving the money.
Community Fund winners also get support to deliver their project and the chance to host an event at Open Arts Space.
Eligibility Criteria
- You are based in Nigeria.
- You are an individual artist or cultural practitioner, a duo, a creative collective, or an arts and cultural organisation.
- You work in any creative discipline, including writing, photography, film or performance.
- Your project contributes to the creative ecosystem in Northern Nigeria or creates opportunities for talent connected to the region.
- Your project can be finished within six months of receiving the grant.
- For the Community Fund, you must be an Open Arts Community member and include your membership code.
Documents Needed to Apply
There is no application form. You submit one PDF proposal of no more than two pages, covering:
- Project description and goals
- Expected outcomes
- A timeline
- A budget that adds up to your request
A tight budget shows you have thought the project through. If you want to give the project a home online, a portfolio or project site built through our web design and development service helps reviewers and audiences take you seriously.
Key Details at a Glance
Programme: Open Arts Fund 2026
Organizer: Open Arts
Eligible location: Creatives and organisations based in Nigeria, with a Northern Nigeria focus
Funding available: Unrestricted grants of up to ₦500,000
Application deadline: 10 November 2026
How to Apply
- Read the full call on the official Open Arts Fund page.
- Write your two-page proposal and save it as a single PDF.
- Email it to [email protected] with the subject line “Open Arts Fund”, or “Open Arts Community Fund” if you are a member.
- Send it before 10 November 2026, because late applications are not considered.
Name your file clearly and use the exact subject line, since entries are sorted by it. Do not leave this for the final evening.
Final Thoughts
₦500,000 will not fund a film studio, but it can fund a first exhibition, a short film or a zine that gets your name out. Small, well-run projects are what a fund like this tends to back.
Find more calls on our list of latest opportunities for the month.