General Opperating Support

The General Operating Support (GOS) grant offered by the Arkansas Arts Council is designed to strengthen nonprofit arts organizations by funding their essential administrative and operational needs. The Arkansas Arts Council operates under the Division of Arkansas Heritage and administers both federal and state funds to support local arts initiatives. Funding is derived from appropriations by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Arkansas General Assembly. This program reflects the Council's commitment to bolstering Arkansas’s cultural infrastructure by ensuring that eligible arts organizations can maintain operational stability and capacity. The GOS grant specifically targets established nonprofit organizations that focus on the arts, including both local arts agencies and single-discipline arts organizations with annual total incomes of $50,000 or more. The funding must be used strictly for non-programmatic administrative expenses. These allowable uses include administrative staff salaries, general marketing, fundraising efforts, facility rental, utilities, maintenance, and staff travel. Organizations may request funding equivalent to 7–12% of their most recently adjusted operating income, and they are required to provide matching funds. Matching specifications are not quantified in the available materials and should be confirmed directly with the Grants Programs Manager. The application process begins with an online submission through the Arkansas Arts Council’s Grants Portal. All GOS grant applications open on October 15. New or returning applicants must submit a Letter of Intent by December 4, 2025. Full applications for Year One are due January 15, 2026. Applications for Years Two and Three are due January 29, 2026. Applications must be complete upon submission—missing documents or late submissions are typically not accepted unless justified by extraordinary circumstances beyond the applicant's control. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Grants Programs Manager before submission to clarify eligibility and submission components. The Council provides downloadable budget templates and policy guides to assist applicants in structuring their proposals. Grant reviews are conducted by panels composed of Arkansas Arts Council members and external field experts. Reviewers assess applications based on both technical merit and organizational capacity. Applicants are invited to attend the review webinars to hear panel feedback but are not required to participate. Funding decisions are finalized at the Council’s annual May meeting, with formal notifications issued after legislative review in July. Award disbursements typically occur in installments, and most grants align with the state fiscal year beginning July 1. This program is offered annually, with the next anticipated cycle opening in October 2026. Interested applicants should plan ahead and monitor the Council's announcements for updates and deadlines. Questions regarding the program can be directed to Brazier Watts, Acting Director and Grants Programs Manager, at (501) 324-9781.

Submit all components by the deadline; use official definitions and templates; review compliance requirements; attend the panel review webinar to gain insights.