The Virginia A. Groot Foundation: Supporting Sculptors and Ceramic Artists
The Virginia A. Groot Foundation, established in 1988 by Candice B. Groot in honor of her mother, Virginia A. Groot, is dedicated to supporting sculptors and ceramic artists. Candice, an artist, educator, collector, and philanthropist, founded the organization with a strong belief in the impact of dedicated support on artists working in three-dimensional media. The foundation’s mission is guided by Candice’s commitment to artistic exploration.
The foundation offers annual grants to sculptors, institutions, and curators, providing them with funding, studio advancement, and opportunities for material exploration. These grants are designed to support artists in creating new work, pursuing research, attending residencies, or taking on projects that expand their creative practice. The funding is flexible, allowing recipients to allocate support where it is most meaningful in their artistic development.
The grants are open to emerging, mid-career, and established artists working in three-dimensional forms. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements, including being at least 21 years old and not currently enrolled in a degree-granting program. All submitted work must be created independently rather than as part of academic coursework. Teachers may apply as long as the work represents their personal artistic practice. The application deadline for the 2026 Groot Grant is January 10, 2026.
Each year, the Virginia A. Groot Foundation commits to broader initiatives that strengthen the field of sculpture and three-dimensional art. Past support has included institutional grants, residencies, curated exhibitions, and publications. The foundation also produces publications that document and celebrate the achievements of grant recipients, showcasing the diversity of artistic approaches supported by the program.
Through its commitment to artistic growth and three-dimensional practice, the Virginia A. Groot Foundation continues to honor Candice Groot’s vision by helping artists dedicate time to their craft, expand their creative direction, and engage more deeply with the broader creative community.
For more information on the Virginia A. Groot Foundation and its grants, visit virginiaagrootfoundation.org/grants.
