Awards & Grants

The Backyard Artist Award is currently closed.

Apologies to Treasure Valley artists seeking our award. At this time, we are postponing the BYA award while our team and Board of Directors iron out the goals and visions we want these funds to go toward. We will be back soon!

“Since the time that I have received the BYA grant, I have had many wonderful developments in my career. Including being a recipient of the International Sculpture Center’s 2023 Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award. As well as exhibiting internationally in the United Kingdom and South Korea.

Hallie Maxwell

“The grant funding from Backyard Artists allowed me to enhance my skill set, expand my confidence and execute my most ideal vision for the exhibition rather than being forced to scale back due to lack of ability to afford the large canvases.”

Kim Porter

“[The grant] allowed me to feel more comfortable with making mistakes… I was able to teach a few people about melting silver and… how to roll out their ingot/metal.”

Lupe Villanueva

Previous Award Recipients


  • James Herbert

  • Susan Lasater

  • Alyse-Ambriel Hanna

  • Mckenna Esteb

  • Matthew Thorley

  • Jennifer Bridges

  • Alyson Dana Singer

  • Cassan Francois

  • Jacey Adams

  • Joel Wayne

  • Tila Lee

  • Megan Sharatt

  • Vern Panter

  • Lillian Black

  • Leonardo Aleksander Ryan

  • Indigo Blauch-Chappell

  • Chase Oneida

BYA awarded a total of $4,553 in this grant cycle, with individual artists receiving funds ranging from $100-$500.

January 2024

  • Zoe Mendez

  • Hillary Bilinski

  • Hallie Maxwell

  • Sarah Pincock

  • Hunter Simmons

  • Angel Padilla

  • Sunday Jones

  • Taelyn Baiza

BYA awarded a total of $2,904 in this award cycle, with individual artists receiving funds ranging from $250-$400.

Spring 2023

BYA awarded a total of $1,700 in this award cycle, with individual artists receiving funds averaging $284.

Fall 2022

  • Joplin Morgan & Josh Griffin

  • Alieha Dryden

  • OJ Johnson

  • Street Fever

  • Lupe Villanueva

  • Kim Porter