Alaska State Council on the Arts - Community Arts Development Grants

The Community Arts Development Grant is administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA), a state agency committed to fostering artistic expression and cultural development throughout Alaska. This particular grant program is designed to bolster nonprofit organizations operating in underserved areas or focusing on underserved artistic disciplines by supporting the creation and presentation of arts programming. Eligible projects might include exhibits, concerts, theatrical productions, dance performances, festivals, workshops, and public readings. The grant also provides assistance for organizational development in the area of arts administration. This includes support for board development, implementation of accounting systems, and budget planning—essential elements for stabilizing and expanding arts organizations. Priority consideration is given to small organizations with no paid staff that rely solely on volunteer engagement. The maximum award per grantee is $5,000. To apply, organizations must access the ASCA’s online grant system. A complete application must be submitted by one of the quarterly deadlines: June 1 for activities starting July 1; September 1 for activities beginning October 1; December 1 for activities commencing January 1; and March 1 for those starting April 1. All activities must conclude by June 30 of the following year. Application timelines are aligned with ASCA’s fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. Applications are reviewed quarterly during meetings of the Council Trustees, which typically occur shortly after each deadline. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with ASCA staff prior to submission, particularly if they are first-time applicants. This assistance can include guidance on crafting the application, clarifying eligibility, and reviewing submission components. To receive funding, organizations must be based in Alaska and may include nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, nonprofit educational institutions, tribal governments, and units of local or state government. Grantees must also have or obtain a vendor profile in the State of Alaska Vendor Self Service (VSS) system and a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from SAM.gov if the grant includes federal funds. Fiscal sponsorship is permitted under specific conditions for organizations that do not meet the direct eligibility criteria. For more information or to request technical assistance, applicants can contact Charlie Sears at 907-269-6608 or via email at charles.sears@alaska.gov. General inquiries may also be sent to asca.info@alaska.gov. The Alaska State Council on the Arts is located at 161 Klevin Street, Suite 102, Anchorage, AK 99508-1506.

Priority given to all-volunteer organizations; applicants should contact ASCA staff early for assistance and guidance.