Launched in 2023, the Individual Artist Merit and Creativity (IAM Creativity) program celebrates and supports local artists across a wide range of disciplines. Open to artists aged 18 and older residing in Howard County, the program offers unrestricted funding to help further their creative endeavors.
IAM Creativity awards $5,000 and $1,000 grants in selected disciplines each year. This year’s disciplines and awardees are:
Film/Video and New Media
- Kelli Williams – $5,000
- Chris Heady – $2,000
- Willy Conley – $1,000
Music & Music Composition
- Evan Nicole Bell – $5,000
- Diana Cantrelle McKinney – $1,000
- Junghoon Park – $1,000
- Jason Wilson – $1,000
In previous years, grants were awarded in Dance and Visual Arts (2024-25). Upcoming years will feature support for Theatre & Literary Arts (2026-27) and Folk & Traditional Arts (2027-28).
The application for the 2026-27 Theatre & Literary Arts disciplines will open
On September 1, 2025. For more information on the IAM Creativity program, visit hocoarts.org/iam-creativity.