Arts Grants

Our Town is the National Endowment for the Arts creative placemaking grants program. Through project-based funding, we support projects that integrate arts, culture, and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities over the long term. Successful Our Town projects demonstrate a specific role for arts, culture, and design as part of strategies for strengthening local communities, ultimately centering equity and laying the groundwork for long-term systems change tailored to community needs and opportunities. All applications are submitted by one organization and require one partner organization. The applicant/partner pair must include 1) a nonprofit organization and 2) a local government or quasi-government entity. Cost share/matching grants range from $25,000 to $150,000, with a minimum cost share/match equal to the grant amount. The Arts Endowments support of a project may start on July 1, 2025, or any time thereafter. A grant period of up to two years is allowed.

South Arts, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, offers small Micro Accessibility Grants designed to supplement existing efforts by arts organizations to engage audiences and artists with disabilities. This initiative aligns with South Arts' core belief that "the arts are for everyone" and that "the arts enrich the lives of people of all abilities and backgrounds." By providing micro-funding, South Arts aims to amplify the success of the Southeast's arts ecology, ensuring broader access and participation. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are arts organizations located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Specifically, South Arts seeks to support organizations with a primary mission focused on the arts, those serving as primary arts providers in their communities, or those committed to projects connecting the arts to persons with disabilities. A key impact goal is to encourage arts organizations to hire artistic personnel of all abilities, with a particular emphasis on working directly with artists who identify as disabled, thereby fostering a more inclusive and diverse artistic landscape. South Arts prioritizes applications from BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ identifying organizations, as well as organizations led by persons with disabilities or those providing significant programming to artists or audiences with disabilities. Furthermore, there is a strong commitment to funding arts organizations in rural communities with populations under 50,000. These strategic priorities underscore South Arts' theory of change, which posits that by supporting diverse leadership and inclusive programming, they can foster a more equitable and accessible arts environment across the Southeast. Applicants can request funding of $500-$2,500 for eligible projects, with a requirement for a 1:1 funding match, where 50% must be a cash match. Expected outcomes include increased participation of artists and audiences with disabilities in arts programming and a strengthening of arts organizations' capacity to serve these communities. While specific measurable results are not detailed, the focus on direct engagement with disabled artists and audiences suggests that success will be gauged by the reach and inclusivity of funded projects within the South Arts service region.

The Arts and Cultural Impact Grants, funded by the County of Monterey and administered by the Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC), aim to support public arts and culture projects and programs within Monterey County. These grants, offering up to $5,000 per year, are designed to align with Arts4MC's mission of promoting arts and culture and ensuring equitable distribution of funds across the county. The program specifically targets nonprofit organizations and arts organizations with a fiscal sponsor that have been operating in Monterey County for at least two years. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are the communities within Monterey County, who will experience increased access to public arts and culture projects and programs. The impact goals include fostering a vibrant cultural landscape, enhancing community engagement through artistic endeavors, and supporting the stability of local arts organizations. By providing financial assistance for various projects, the program seeks to strengthen the arts sector and enrich the lives of residents across all five supervisorial districts. The program prioritizes projects that demonstrate quality in their program/event design, feature high-caliber artists and teaching artists, and show significant community impact. Additionally, organizational stability is a key focus, ensuring that supported entities have the capacity to effectively execute their proposals. Applications are also evaluated based on the quality of supporting materials, emphasizing thorough planning and clear communication of project objectives. Expected outcomes include a broader reach of arts and cultural activities throughout Monterey County, increased participation in public arts programs, and a measurable positive impact on local communities. While specific measurable results are tied to the individual project proposals, the selection criteria suggest an emphasis on qualitative and quantitative indicators related to program quality, community engagement, and artistic excellence. The independent panel review process, comprising evaluators from each supervisorial district, further reinforces Arts4MC's strategic priority of equitable fund distribution and a localized approach to cultural development.

This funding opportunity supports public arts projects in northwestern Minnesota, providing financial assistance to cities, counties, and nonprofit organizations to enhance community cultural life through performances, public art, and artist workshops.

This grant provides funding to Pueblo Indian communities and organizations for projects that preserve and promote Pueblo culture, traditions, and languages, with a focus on intergenerational engagement and cultural education.

This funding opportunity supports organizations that promote environmental awareness, alternative health care, and arts education for underserved youth and communities.

The Redford Center Grants program is open for 2024 applications from April 4 to May 10, focusing on environmental nonfiction films or docuseries at any stage of development. Eligible projects can be in development, production, or post-production stages but must not be picture locked. Successful applicants will receive a $25,000 grant for the first year to support production and impact campaign expenses, with an opportunity for further funding in the second year. The program includes participation in a Grantee Summit, virtual film showcase, and comprehensive support including learning sessions, networking, promotional backing, and community building focused on environmental issues and innovative storytelling.

The FY2025 Arts Learning Program aims to support high-quality arts learning projects that benefit K-12 students in Oregon, focusing on Title 1 schools, economically distressed areas, and rural locations. This program encourages partnerships between nonprofit organizations and K-12 schools, fostering knowledge exchange between artists and educators to impact students' achievements, skills, or attitudes. The grant offers a matching award amount of $10,000, requiring dollar-for-dollar matching with earned, contributed, or in-kind support.

The Arts and Humanities Grants program, a collaborative effort between the Maine Humanities Council and the Maine Arts Commission, is designed to support organizations in Maine that actively present the state's stories and cultural expressions. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission by fostering cultural understanding and engagement within Maine communities. The grants specifically target innovative community projects that integrate both arts and humanities components, reflecting a strategic priority to bridge these disciplines for broader cultural impact. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are organizations with 501c3 status, government organizations (including federally recognized Indian tribal governments, state/local/city governments), churches, and education organizations (such as schools, school districts, or public/private institutions of higher education) operating within Maine. Organizations serving and/or led by communities traditionally under-resourced in the arts and humanities are particularly encouraged to apply, underscoring an impact goal to promote equity and access within the cultural landscape of the state. The program prioritizes projects that demonstrate strong and clear arts and humanities content, well-defined project goals and impact, a sound project design, effective outreach and engagement strategies, and a realistic budget. These evaluation criteria highlight the focus on projects that are not only creatively rich but also strategically planned to achieve meaningful community engagement and measurable results. The expected outcome is to support projects that effectively share Maine's diverse cultural narratives and artistic expressions with its people. While specific measurable results beyond the project's impact are not explicitly detailed, the emphasis on "strength and clarity in... project goals and impact" suggests that successful applicants will be able to articulate how their projects will achieve tangible benefits for the community. The grants, providing up to $1,000, are a strategic investment by the Maine Humanities Council and Maine Arts Commission to stimulate local cultural activity and ensure that a wide array of voices and stories from across all counties in Maine are heard and celebrated.

This funding opportunity supports projects that promote education, economic development, human services, and arts and culture for the benefit of residents in Jackson County, Indiana.

This grant provides financial support to non-profit arts organizations in the region to help cover their operational costs and fund public art projects, with a focus on sustaining artistic activities and community engagement.

This program provides financial reimbursement to Oregon-based arts nonprofits for expenses related to making their services accessible to individuals with disabilities, ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This program provides financial support to non-hobby artists in Northwestern Minnesota to help them create, exhibit, or develop their artistic skills and engage with the community.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, schools, churches, and government entities for various community projects in Watertown, including arts, education, health, and environmental initiatives.

Music Drives Us is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that strives to inspire New England’s musicians of tomorrow by supporting their music opportunities today. Since 2006, Music Drives Us has donated millions in grants to hundreds of individuals, organizations, and schools throughout New England – empowering them to better teach the next generation of musicians. Now, in partnership with the State of Vermont, Music Drives Us is thrilled to provide grants to schools across the Green Mountain State to support their music programs, up to $100,000! Public and approved independent schools located in Vermont are welcome to apply below. Applications will be accepted from April 15 - May 13, 2024.

This grant provides funding for organizations in Montana to create engaging arts learning experiences that connect participants with artists and artistic materials, fostering initial exposure to the arts for individuals of all ages and abilities.

The Museum on Main Street (MoMS) program is a collaboration between the Smithsonian and Mass Humanities, bringing the "Voices and Votes: Democracy in America" exhibit to rural communities in Massachusetts. This program aims to enhance local engagement by incorporating community-specific programming alongside the national exhibition. Each selected site will host the exhibit for six weeks from April 19, 2025, to February 1, 2026, and will develop six related programs. The initiative underscores the evolution of American democracy, with a particular focus on issues of representation, civic participation, and the responsibilities of citizenship.Key Dates: LOI opens March 11, 2024; LOI due May 10, 2024; Award Notification July 1, 2024; Voices and Votes Tour April 19, 2025, to February 1, 2026

This new multi-year grant program intends to create local community connections to California’s rich and diverse cultural history and natural areas outside of California’s state park boundaries. Eligible projects will enhance connections to local cultural history, local parks, open space or natural areas through community events, programming or installations that help to build sustainable community connections, health and well-being. The Local Parks Grants Program will be managed and administered by Parks California. This program supports the “Outdoor Access for All” initiative led by Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, along with the Natural Resources Agency’s “Outdoors for All” initiative, and California State Parks’ Reexamining Our Past Initiative.

The Planning and Development Grants, part of the Local Parks Grant Program managed by Parks California, aim to support the initial stages of community-oriented projects that connect local communities to California’s cultural history and natural areas. These projects include building partnerships, artist selection, and developing project plans. This initiative enhances community well-being and sustainable connections. The grant cycle runs from October 2024 to May 2025.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Kyiv / EUR Bureau of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications for supporting the Mission Ukraine American Spaces Network to help rebuild and restore specific spaces. Please follow all instructions below. Priority Region: Ukraine Program Objectives: The aim of this project is to assist in the restoration of damaged American spaces in Ukraine and to strengthen capacity building and programming at 23 American Spaces. These spaces comprise nine Window on America Centers (American Corners) located in Kropyvnytsky, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Mariupol, Slovyansk, Uzhhorod, Vinnytsia, and Zaporizhzhia, and 14 Window on America Centers (affiliated AS) situated in Cherkasy, Chernivtsi, Chernihiv, Dnipro, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kherson, Khmelnytsky, Kyiv, Lutsk, Rivne, Sumy, Ternopil, Zhytomyr and Starobilsk. American Spaces serve as active platforms for educational, cultural, and outreach programs facilitated by the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine. The recipient organization will be responsible for completing a needs assessment of the physical damage done to the entire network of 23 spaces, in cooperation with the Embassy and the network of 23 spaces. restoring any number of those damaged American spaces in Ukraine and enhancing capacity building and programming of the chosen number of spaces. This project seeks to enhance the capacity of American Spaces to deliver quality and innovative programming amidst Russias full-scale invasion and partial occupation of Ukraine, along with intense political and economic pressures. It aims to establish welcoming and technology-equipped American spaces that support Ukraines resilience to disinformation, promote media literacy, advocate for political and economic reforms towards European integration, foster mutual understanding between Ukraine and the United States, and cultivate a more inclusive and cohesive Ukrainian society in response to the Russian-Ukrainian war circumstances. This funding will enable American Spaces to address their basic technology requirements and implement necessary upgrades to facilitate online and offline programs promoting shared Ukrainian and U.S. values, aligning with priority mission goals, and meeting the needs of local communities. Program Objectives: Complete a needs assessment of the entire network to determine the approximate scope of work needed for each space to return to pre-invasion levels of functioning. Restore and renovate any number of damaged American Spaces. After examining the American Spaces network status and needs, the recipient executes renovation of a targeted number of damaged American Spaces;apos; premises paying special attention to their accessibility. Bolster capacity building by establishing welcoming and technology-equipped American Spaces. Replace furniture, make light system/fixture upgrades to make the space flexible enough for online and offline programs, and group after the recipient examines their status and needs. Update signage and appearance of the spaces to clearly demonstrate an American look and feel. Purchase the technical supplies needed to provide effective online and offline programming after the recipient examines their status and needs. Ensure administrative support from the recipient through consultations online and in person, visits, etc. necessary to conduct renovations, replace furniture, make light system/fixture upgrades, update signage and appearance of their spaces, and to use equipment. Ensure each American Space conducts programs on each of the following themes: countering disinformation, skill building including English language skills, Ukraine;apos;s reforms aimed at European integration, civil society initiatives and building a more inclusive and cohesive society, educating audiences on academic and professional exchange opportunities, helping IDP and veteran communities with skill building and psychological support. Strengthen communication and collaboration within the American Spaces network -- America Houses Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa and Window on America Centers -- by organizing and participating in joint online programs, organizing working visits to explore the best solutions for an American look and feel, and determining technology needs for effective and innovative programming. The U.S. Embassy will be substantially involved in program activities, as this award will be a cooperative agreement. This involvement will include but is not limited to: Guidance on American Spaces mission, policy priorities and strategic planning for program development. Guidance and oversight of America Spaces network development. Approval of American Spaces renovations plans. Approval of major supply purchases, including but not limited to computers, as well as major equipment and furniture purchases. Approval American Spaces communication plans, such as branding/logo changes. Guidance on State Department film licensing and screening agreements. Guidance on State Department data collection and reporting requirements regarding events, participants, and total number of visitors (virtual and in-person) at American Spaces. Provision of access to Overdrive, ELibraryUSA databases, newsletters, and other State department-produced products and activities Approval of any plans for the Recipient to earn income as a result of this award. Participants and Audiences: Intended audiences should vary by program and specific activity. However, in general, the American Spaces are geared toward youth engagement, i.e., Ukrainians aged 15-40. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: up to 18 months Number of awards anticipated: one award Total available funding: $250,000.00 Type of Funding: AEECA FY 24 Anticipated program start date: August 1, 2024 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that Embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation. Examples of substantial involvement are included in detail above. Program Performance Period: Proposed program should be completed in max 18 months. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants The following organizations are eligible to apply: U.S. or Ukrainian public or private not-for-profit organizations. Applicants must be able to demonstrate experience working in Ukraine and should have a legally registered local office to provide program oversight. The applicant organization must be able to demonstrate the ability to administer all components of the program as outlined in this solicitation, and in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing is highly encouraged; however, it is not a requirement of an application in response to this funding announcement. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION see attached full NOFO for all details.