What are the most important things for artists to know when applying for grants?

Grants are only one piece of pie for artists. They are just one part of a whole strategy that you come up with for yourself.

Before you begin looking anywhere for funding, spend time to find your own objective. Always stick to it. That's the first step. Artists sometimes make the mistake of wanting to mold themselves to what they think the needs of the grantor are. But it's actually just the reverse! You need to know your objective first.
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Securing a grant requires organization, research, and follow-through. Below you will find the key components for a successful search and a brief description of the different types of granting organizations.
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A little grant writing advice can go a long way. In the following article, Shakurra Amatulla outlines some of the basic information necessary for researching and writing grants.

So you want a grant—that chunk of money that’s "out there" just waiting for your request? But you’re impatient, sometimes believing that the road to success must open before you faster than Moses parted the Red Sea. In your search for grants, you buy and read everything about this free cash, continually look for people to guide you to said loot, and still you haven’t gotten any closer to it. more...

All Chicago non-profit organizations with art programs are eligible to apply for the CityArts grant.  CityArts is a triennialgrant program administered by theChicago Department of Cultural Affairs.  Every three years, CityArtsmakes General Operating Support grants available for an organizations' art programming. more...

Article detailing tips on getting funding and grants: things to look for and to avoid in navigating the process of applying for government and other types of grants.