In memory of Sally A. Williams, who served as the Arkansas Arts Council’s artist services manager for 25 years before her death April 20, 2010, the Arts Council has established the Sally A. Williams Artist Fund.

Funding for this program includes donations from Williams’ family and friends, proceeds from the sale of Williams’ artwork following her death and Arts Council funding. 

“Sally was a visual artist who expressed her passion for art in both her personal and professional life,” said Joy Pennington, executive director of the Arkansas Arts Council. “Sally asked that donations in her memory be made to the Arts Council, and we could think of no better way to honor her than to assist the Arkansas artists whom she cared about so deeply.”

Artist assistance grants of up to $500 are available to Arkansas artists in the literary, performing and visual arts fields. The application process will be ongoing as long as funding is available. To date, the fund has raised more than $33,000.

Applications are available at www.arkansasarts.org or by contacting Robin McClea at (501) 324-9766 or robinm@arkansasheritage.org. Projects may include:

• Registration or travel to a conference, retreat, symposium or workshop that will enhance the professional work of the recipient

• Consulting fees for establishing or growing the recipient’s art-related business, e.g. marketing or business plan.

To be eligible for individual artist assistance grants an artist must be at least 21 years old and must have been an Arkansas resident for at least one year at the time of application.