For most of history, exploration and art traveled together. Before photography, artists accompanied expeditions because they were essential to documenting discovery and translating distant places into something the public could experience. Even after photography arrived, painters, sculptors, and other fine artists interpreted the emotional and human side of exploration in ways a camera alone cannot. The Explorers Club itself is filled with paintings and sculpture from historic expeditions that continue to inspire visitors for generations later.
The Fine Arts Field Grant revives that tradition. We are looking for painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers, and practitioners of any fine arts discipline who are ready to take their practice somewhere unexpected and bring something back.
The grant’s mission aligns naturally with Society Awards' philosophy of supporting artists whose work will emerge from extraordinary access to places, people, and discoveries that few will ever experience firsthand. The collaboration believes exploration expands human knowledge, and art gives exploration a lasting human legacy.
"As an Associate Member of The Explorers Club, I've spent time surrounded by the paintings and sculptures created from historic expeditions. Those works still capture the imagination decades and even centuries later. We wanted to help bring that tradition into the future by giving today's artists the opportunity to experience exploration firsthand and create the works that will inspire future generations." - David Moritz, Society Awards Founder and CEO
We welcome applications from fine artists at any career stage whose practice would be genuinely transformed by expedition experience. You do not need to be an Explorers Club member to apply.
Grant recipients will be matched with an Impact Grant expedition suited to their artistic interests and geographic affinities. Following their expedition, artists will produce a body of work and exhibit at The Explorers Club — sharing what they witnessed with our membership, our partners, and the public.
The Explorers Club is a multidisciplinary society dedicated to the advancement of field research, scientific exploration and resource conservation.
