In 2006, artist Edward Levine established the Foundation as an artist-endowed non-profit to support visual artists who are under-recognized by the field.

There is no familial connection to Harpo Marx but this Marx brother inspired our foundation’s name because he creatively communicated without words, which seemed appropriate for a foundation that supports visual artists.

No, the Foundation is not affiliated with Oprah Winfrey or her company, Harpo Productions.

Though we have been known to make exceptions, Harpo focuses on supporting the development of visual artists. Creative writing, dance, theatre and film all fall outside our purview. However, a proposal with an interdisciplinary approach may be considered as long as it has a strong visual art component.

We typically make 7-10 grants each year. The average grant is $8,000 and grant amounts do not exceed $10,000, with the exception of the Impact Award for Native American Art fellowship in which grantees receive $25,000.

Deadlines vary depending on the program. Please check the appropriate grant program page for updated information on each year’s deadlines.

Applicants for direct grants to artists and organizations are usually notified no later than December 1 each year. 

Artist’s who receive funding are required to provide a description of how funding contributed to the development of their work and images or video documentation of any recently completed work.

90% of the funds are released once a grantee signs and returns a ‘Terms and Conditions’ agreement letter issued by the foundation. 10% is withheld until the grantee sends a report detailing how funds were used.

Grantees have 10 months to report back once funds are received. Extensions must be requested in writing and a progress report must be submitted.

As of March 2013, self-defined under-recognized visual artists who are not students but are U.S. citizens may submit proposals on their own behalf. As of 2025, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S. are now eligible to apply to Harpo Grants. Students who (as of the date of each year’s deadline) are currently enrolled in an art-related degree program,  have been enrolled in an art-related degree program within the last 12 months, or are planning to attend an art-related degree program in the coming year are not eligible.

To determine whether an artist is ‘under-recognized’ we look at an artist’s resume and overall presence in the field. If we see that the artist has already achieved a certain amount of prominence and recognition because they have (1) presented their work at venues such as major museums, art centers, international biennales, (2) received multiple notable awards and grants, (3) enjoy the representation of a prominent commercial gallery, we would likely not consider them to be ‘under-recognized’ by the field.

As a general rule, we prefer our funding to go toward providing opportunities and encouragement to artists who have yet to receive this level of support.

As of 2023, the Foundation no longer offers New Work Project Grants to non-profit institutions. We grant only directly to artists.

Our partners at Vermont Studio Center administer these funding opportunities and artists apply directly to them using their respective online applications.

The annual deadline is February 15.

If you are a U.S. citizen, you may apply for direct support using the Foundation’s online application form. The application portal will be available on our Visual Artist Grants page approximately 2 months prior to the application deadline each year.

Please consult with your accountant to discuss the tax implications.

No. Artists may submit only one application. Artists who qualify for The Impact Award do NOT need to submit a second application. They only need to select the appropriate box on the Grants for Visual Artists form.

Artists who are previous recipients of the Grants for Visual Artists award are not eligible to receive it again but they ARE eligible to apply for The Impact Award for Native American Art. Artists who were supported by the New Work Project Grant in the past are eligible for the Grants for Visual Artists award and The Impact Award, but cannot receive both in the same year. Artists who have received the The Impact Award are ineligible to receive it again.

Accepted file types are .jpg, .mp3, .mp4, .mov. Work samples are viewed on computer screens. For video samples, applicants may use a link option to direct us to a video on vimeo or youtube or artist’s website. If it is password-protected, be sure and include the password.