Newark Arts, a community-focused organization committed to the transformative power of the arts, is offering the 2025 ArtStart Grants to support local arts and cultural initiatives. Since its inception in 2001, the ArtStart program has awarded over $500,000 to more than 200 projects, providing critical start-up funding to individual artists, schools, nonprofits, and community groups. The funders for this grant cycle include the New Jersey Arts & Culture Renewal Fund and TD Bank.
The primary objective of ArtStart is to stimulate creativity and foster strong community engagement through arts projects that address pressing social issues. Applicants are encouraged to propose new arts or cultural initiatives that have been established within the last five years. The projects must leverage the arts as a catalyst for social awareness, collaborate with community-based organizations, focus on neighborhoods beyond Downtown Newark, and prioritize underserved populations such as youth under 18, seniors, and individuals with diverse abilities. Partnerships between small organizations and individual artists are strongly encouraged.
Funding for the 2025 ArtStart Grants is available at two levels: $3,500 and $5,000, depending on the project budget and application strength. Applicants can request up to a maximum of $5,000. Funded projects must occur between August 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Applications opened on March 3, 2025, and were due by April 13, 2025, at 11:59 PM.
Applicants were encouraged to participate in an informational session held on February 27, 2025, to better understand the grant process and ask questions. Newark Arts has provided a Frequently Asked Questions document to further assist applicants. Applications were evaluated by a diverse selection committee to ensure fairness and impact in funding distribution.
Award notifications will be sent during the week of June 2, 2025, and successful applicants will be invited to a Grantee Event scheduled for June 10, 2025. Grant awards will be disbursed in August 2025. For questions or additional information, applicants may contact Newark Arts at 973.643.1625 or via email at info@newarkarts.org. Their office is located at 17 Academy Street, Suite 702, Newark, NJ 07102.
