Bill Fischer Award
for Visual Artists
Bill Fischer Award for Visual Artists
2026 Application is Now Open
Join us for the announcement of the Bill Fischer Award for Visual Artists! June 11 @ 6:30pm
One outstanding finalist will be selected to receive a $10,000 cash prize. Additionally, five semi-finalists will each be awarded $500 in recognition of their exemplary work. All finalists will have their artwork on display during the event, and at 6:30 PM, the award winner will be announced and all artists will be celebrated.
**This event is held in conjunction with art[squared].**
To attend the finalist announcement and exhibition, guests must purchase a ticket to the art[squared] party. Your ticket includes access to both events, along with food, drinks, and entertainment.
Información de la aplicación en español
The Call for Artists opens on February 23, 2026. Deadline for submissions is 4:59 pm, April 20, 2026
The Bill Fischer Award for Visual Artists is a $10,000 cash prize designed to make a meaningful impact on the career of a visual artist residing in the Louisville Metro Area by providing support in the form of grants for the execution and exhibition of artwork and other efforts to foster a professional career as a visual artist. Recipients of the Fischer Award must show a commitment to experimentation and the creative use of materials and techniques, and a commitment to pursuing a career as a professional working visual artist.
Eligibility:
Recipients of the Fischer Award must show a commitment to experimentation and the creative use of materials and techniques, and a commitment to pursuing a career as a professional working visual artist. Applicants must be residents living in the Louisville Metro Area for a minimum of six months prior to the application deadline. The Metro Area is defined as Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, Bullitt, Nelson, Meade, Trimble and Henry Counties in Kentucky; and Clark, Harrison, Floyd and Washington Counties in Indiana. Applicants must be a minimum of 25 years old and have completed any formal art training a minimum of three years prior to the application deadline, so if you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or post-graduate art or design program you are not eligible. This is a one-time prize; winners of the Fischer Award are not eligible to apply for future Fischer Awards. The prize may be considered taxable income, so applicants should consult a tax professional. There is no submission fee to the Fischer Award for Visual Artists.
Artists working in the following media are eligible to apply: ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media, printmaking, graphic design, glass. Artists working in architecture, photography, video, time-based media, limited duration installation and the performing arts are not eligible for this award. Both emerging and established artists are encouraged to apply.
The Bill Fischer Award for Visual Artists is funded by the Artist Bill Fischer Foundation for Working Artists at the Community Foundation of Louisville. Louisville Visual Art serves as the administrative partner to the project and competition process. For more information, please contact keith@louisvillevisualart.org
Tune into this virtual BFA Info Session, March 11th from 6-7pm to learn more about crafting the perfect application. Link below:
Have questions? Visit the Fischer FAQ page here
Bill Fischer has had a lifelong love for art. Mr. Fischer trained with the world-renowned artist David Alfaro Siquieros of Mexico and has had countless exhibits in Louisville at the Jewish Community Center, Arts Club of Louisville, Louisville Visual Art and more. Mr. Fischer has dedicated his life to art and established this fund to invest in artists working in Kentucky.
Founded in 1984, the Community Foundation of Louisville mobilizes people, networks, and capital to spark meaningful change in and beyond Louisville. With over $900 million in assets, over 2,200 charitable funds, and collaborations with hundreds of local partners, we connect philanthropic investments with relevant causes. The Foundation has addressed and continues to address a wide range of community needs. Key priorities of the Foundation’s mission are to remove barriers to accessing capital and resources and to open opportunities for all. Learn more at cflouisville.org and follow the Foundation on social media at @cflouisville.
