Major Arts Partners

The Major Arts Partners grant is administered by the Arkansas Arts Council, part of the Division of Arkansas Heritage. This program supports large, established nonprofit arts organizations across Arkansas that have a significant impact on the state’s cultural and economic landscape. Funding for the grant comes from both federal sources through the National Endowment for the Arts and state appropriations by the Arkansas General Assembly. This grant provides general operating support to organizations that meet stringent eligibility criteria, including a demonstrated commitment to community involvement, financial and administrative stability, and consistent delivery of arts programs of high artistic quality. Major Arts Partners funding is intended to help sustain operations that enrich Arkansas’s arts and cultural ecosystem. It covers essential administrative costs, allowing organizations to maintain core functions such as staffing, facility maintenance, and marketing, among others. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit arts organizations that serve as key cultural institutions in their communities, with proof of high-level operations and broad service areas. Applicants must demonstrate robust governance, sound fiscal practices, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Organizations must maintain a minimum budget threshold, as determined by the Council, and typically have a long-standing relationship with the Arkansas Arts Council. Applications must be submitted online through the Arkansas Arts Council’s Grants Portal. The FY26 grant cycle opens on October 15, 2025. New or returning applicants must submit a Letter of Intent by December 4, 2025. Full applications for Year One are due by January 23, 2026. Applications for Years Two and Three, for organizations already in the funding cycle, are due January 29, 2026, and do not undergo a panel review. The review panel for Year One applications convenes on March 20, 2026. All applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with the appropriate grant program manager before submission to ensure alignment with program goals and requirements. Applications must be complete, including all required documents and a standardized Excel budget form. A Unique Entity ID (UEI) is also mandatory for application and reporting purposes. The Arkansas Arts Council conducts a detailed review of applications through panels composed of Council members and external experts. Final decisions are confirmed at the May Council meeting and announced following the Legislative Review in July. Most grant payments are distributed in installments.