Creative Aging Project Grant

The Creative Aging Project Grant, administered by the Wyoming Arts Council, supports arts programming that engages adults aged 55 and older across Wyoming. As part of the Council's ongoing effort to enrich cultural access and social connection, this initiative funds high-quality, sequential arts instruction specifically tailored to the needs and interests of older residents. It aligns with a broader vision to promote wellness, creative growth, and community integration for aging populations, and encourages programming that blends skill development with public engagement. The funder itself, the Wyoming Arts Council, operates with both state and federal support, notably through the National Endowment for the Arts, and aims to enhance the creative vitality of communities throughout the state. The Creative Aging Project Grant invites both nonprofit organizations and individual teaching artists to apply. The structure of the program centers on supporting one to four discrete, eight-week-long programs focused on arts education for older adults. Each program must incorporate sequential, skills-based instruction and culminate in a public event. The most strongly encouraged model is the Lifetime Arts framework, which emphasizes social engagement and developmental learning in later life. However, comparable models may also be accepted provided they uphold the principles of sustained instruction and public sharing. Funding is awarded in standardized increments: $2,500 per eight-week session, with a maximum of $10,000 for four sessions. This competitive grant does not require a cash match, although in-kind contributions must be documented in the final reporting. Project activities must be completed by June 30, 2027. Applicants should note that only costs incurred during the official implementation period will be eligible for reimbursement or inclusion in the program budget. As a public funder, the Arts Council requires that all supported activities be accessible to the general public, and strongly encourages outreach to local and state officials as part of the public engagement strategy. Applications are submitted online through the Foundant system. The FY27 cycle opens on May 11, 2026, and closes on June 22, 2026. Following submission, a panel of experts and arts professionals will review applications based on published evaluation criteria. Final funding decisions are made by the Wyoming Arts Council Board, which is scheduled to meet on August 13, 2026. Award notifications will be issued in August. All applicants should ensure they receive confirmation of submission via email and should contact Council staff if such confirmation is not received. There are several administrative and compliance obligations tied to the grant. Applicants must comply with the federal and state requirements governing use of public funds, including ADA and Section 504 accessibility standards. New applicants or those who have not received payments from the state within the past two years must register as vendors and submit a W-9 form to the State Auditor’s Office. Final reports are due within 60 days of the project’s end date and must include participation data and qualitative outcomes. Failure to submit required documentation may lead to disqualification from future grants or even reimbursement actions by the Attorney General’s Office. For more information about the Creative Aging Project Grant, interested parties may contact Josh Chrysler, Folklorist and Health & Wellness Specialist, at the Wyoming Arts Council. He can be reached at 307-777-7742. The Arts Council is located at the Barrett Building, Second Floor, 2301 Central Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82002. Prospective applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review the Council’s grant guidelines before initiating the application process to ensure full compliance and eligibility.

Keep track of attendance and instructional hours for final reporting. Review the Wyoming Arts Council’s Grant Guidelines before applying.