Arts Build Communities Program

The Arts Build Communities program is administered by the Oregon Arts Commission, a state agency dedicated to fostering the arts as a vital component of community life across Oregon. The Commission works to enhance the quality of life for residents by supporting creative expression, cultural development, and economic vitality through arts initiatives. This program reflects the agency’s broader mission to integrate the arts into social, educational, and economic systems while promoting equitable access to cultural resources. The purpose of the Arts Build Communities program is to provide funding for projects that address specific local community issues through arts-based solutions. The program emphasizes the role of the arts in strengthening communities by supporting collaborations between arts organizations and other community partners. Funded projects are expected to demonstrate meaningful engagement with community needs and to build local capacity for arts participation. Eligible activities include new program development, expansion of existing initiatives, cultural tourism efforts, and planning or design activities that integrate arts into broader community goals. The program offers a fixed grant award of 5,000 dollars, which must be matched dollar-for-dollar by the applicant through a combination of cash and in-kind contributions. This matching requirement is a core component of the program and ensures that applicants demonstrate additional investment and support for their proposed projects. Funds may be used for a variety of project-related expenses such as artist fees, materials, and planning activities. However, certain costs are prohibited, including fundraising events for non-arts purposes, activities conducted outside Oregon, scholarships, construction or capital improvements, and entertainment-related expenses unless specifically approved under federal guidelines. Eligibility for the program is limited to nonprofit organizations with current 501(c)(3) status and active registration with the State of Oregon, as well as units of municipal government including libraries, schools, and Tribal governments. Applicants must also have a current Unique Entity Identifier from SAM.gov at the time of application. Organizations applying through a fiscal sponsor are not eligible. Applicants are required to demonstrate that they have secured the full matching amount and meet all compliance requirements, including adherence to accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applications must be submitted through the Oregon Arts Commission’s online grant portal by the stated deadline of July 22, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Applicants are encouraged to prepare responses in advance, as the application includes multiple narrative components covering project objectives, community impact, organizational capacity, and partnerships. A required budget form must be completed and submitted alongside the application, and applicants may also include supporting materials such as artist biographies and work samples to strengthen their proposals. The review process involves an initial eligibility and completeness check by Arts Commission staff, followed by evaluation by a panel of professionals with relevant expertise. Applications are scored based on criteria including project quality, community impact, and organizational capacity. Final funding decisions are made by the Arts Commission based on panel recommendations. Successful applicants are expected to complete their projects within the defined activity period and submit a final report within thirty days of completion. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle, with guidelines typically released in June and applications due in July. For the current cycle, guidelines were posted in June 2026, with an application deadline of July 22, 2026. Awarded projects generally take place in the following calendar year. Applicants may contact the Arts Commission for assistance with programmatic or technical questions, and support is available to ensure accessibility and inclusivity throughout the application process.

Strong applications clearly define a community need, demonstrate strong partnerships, and show measurable impact on underserved populations with a realistic timeline and detailed budget.