Southeast Arts Project Grant

The Community Connections: Southeast Arts Project Grants, administered by Arts United and energized by NIPSCO and the NiSource Charitable Foundation, aim to enrich the cultural landscape of Southeast Fort Wayne, Indiana. This grant initiative is designed to foster community pride, celebrate the area’s cultural heritage, and strengthen community ties through engaging and inclusive arts-based projects. Projects funded by this program are expected to enhance communal spaces and support broader community development activities, encouraging participation in the arts across all demographics within the designated area. The grant program supports a wide range of community-focused arts and cultural projects. Potential project types include annual festivals, public art installations, cultural celebrations, as well as classes in music, dance, theater, or visual arts. All activities must be located in or directly serve residents of Southeast Fort Wayne, defined specifically as neighborhoods within city limits that lie east of Calhoun Street and south of the Maumee River. Although external organizations can collaborate on projects, only individuals or entities based within the target area are eligible to apply directly. Funding requests must fall within the range of $500 to $5,000 and must be used for expenses that directly support the artistic and cultural components of the proposed project. Eligible uses of funds include artist fees, space and equipment rentals, marketing materials, and necessary supplies. However, expenses related to alcohol, political activities, lobbying, or religious services are strictly prohibited. Applications for the 2025 grant cycle were due by April 30, 2025, and submissions are no longer being accepted. Award decisions are scheduled for announcement by May 23, 2025. The period of performance for funded projects runs from June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026. All recipients must submit a final project completion summary no later than June 14, 2026, to remain in compliance with the grant’s reporting requirements. Arts United places strong emphasis on local representation in the decision-making process, with more than half of the grant review panel composed of individuals who live or work in the Southeast Fort Wayne area. This localized panel composition ensures that projects funded through this grant align closely with the priorities and interests of the residents themselves. Applicants could choose between a paper or electronic submission process. Paper applications were available at the Auer Center for Arts & Culture during weekday business hours, while electronic forms could be downloaded from the Arts United website and submitted via email. To support applicants, the program offered virtual and in-person application support sessions throughout March and April 2025. Additional assistance could be requested by contacting the grant program representative at Arts United.

The funder emphasizes community relevance, cultural engagement, and representation by local residents in the review process.