Illest Legacy Grant

Support for independent Texas music artists building real operations.

Illscape Studios is awarding one $500 grant to an independent Texas artist.

Applicants complete a short form, submit a video no longer than two minutes, and pay a $20 application fee.

Judges select the winner based on published criteria.

Who Should Apply

  • Professional Musicians and Independent Artists, 18+
  • Texas residents only
  • Focused on developing a professional music business infrastructure
  • All genres accepted
  • Not currently represented by or directly affiliated with Illscape Studios

What the Grant Funds

  • Business plan development
  • LLC formation or compliance costs
  • Marketing or launch materials
  • Live show or recording expenses
  • Maintenance music lessons
  • School supplies for music degree college students

Timeline

  • Applications open: October 29, 2025
  • Deadline: December 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CT
  • Judging: December 10 – 24, 2025
  • Winner announced: December 28, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. CT on Zoom Livestream. Link will be sent the day before Livestream.

How to Apply

  1. Pay the $20 application fee.
  2. Complete the online form.
  3. Upload or link a video no longer than two minutes.
  4. Video must answer prompt questions.

Video prompts

  • Why should you receive the Illest Legacy Grant?
  • How will you use the $500 to advance your music business?
  • What sets your approach apart from other applicants?

Accepted formats

  • Unlisted YouTube, Loom, or Vimeo link
  • Cloud storage link (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.)

Submission process

When applicants click “Submit,” the form redirects to Stripe for payment. The submission is only finalized once payment is confirmed.

FAQs

Is this a lottery or sweepstakes?
 No. The winner is selected based on skill and merit.

Will I get feedback?
 Finalists may receive short feedback notes.

Can I reapply?
 Yes, if not selected in a previous round.

Contact

Questions: studio@illscape.com

Official Rules

Judging Criteria

  • Long-term clarity and professionalism of goals
  • Alignment with Illscape’s mission to professionalize artist businesses
  • Quality of presentation and communication

Application Fee

  • Amount: $20
  • Covers review and processing
  • Nonrefundable

Award and Payout

  • One winner receives $500.
  • Grant payout options: Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, or check.
  • Funds issued within 14 days of winner notification.
  • Winner signs a short grant agreement.
  • Winner provides a 60-day progress update.

Winner Obligations

  • Use funds for the stated grant purpose.
  • Provide one testimonial and one social post tagging Illscape Studios.
  • Keep receipts or proof of use if requested.

Eligibility Rules

  • Skill-based competition. No random selection.
  • One entry per person.
  • Texas residents only.
  • Applicants represented by Illscape Studios are not eligible.
  • Employees, contractors, and family of Illscape Studios are ineligible.
  • Entries must be original and lawful.
  • Late or incomplete entries are disqualified.
  • Judges’ decisions are final.

Taxes and Reporting

  • Illscape does not issue tax forms for a $500 award.
  • Recipients are responsible for any personal tax reporting.

Privacy Policy

Rights and Permissions

  • Entrants retain ownership of their work.
  • Entrants grant Illscape Studios a nonexclusive right to use names, images, and project summaries for winner announcements and promotional content.

Privacy

  • Application data is used only for review and communication.
  • Illscape Studios does not sell or share applicant data.

Illest Legacy Grant