Arts Project Support Grant Program

The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC), a state government agency funded by the Indiana General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, administers the Arts Project Support (APS) program to promote access to meaningful arts experiences across all counties in Indiana. Through this program, IAC seeks to support vibrant cultural expression and community engagement via short-term, public-facing arts projects. The IAC operates the APS in collaboration with a statewide network of Regional Arts Partners who co-administer the grantmaking process and act as primary contacts for applicants. The APS grant is designed to provide up to $4,000 to eligible entities for the execution of arts-based programming such as performances, exhibits, festivals, public art initiatives, arts planning, and targeted arts education for populations like youth or older adults. The grant prioritizes accessibility and equity in arts participation, with emphasis on serving historically underserved geographies and populations. Notably, no matching funds are required, and awardees may receive the full grant amount at the beginning of the grant cycle if they are in good standing and submit all required documentation in a timely manner. Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in any arts discipline, other nonprofit entities offering arts programming, 501(c)(6) tourism entities or chambers of commerce, units of local government, public libraries, public and private schools (Pre-K through 12th grade), colleges and universities that offer community arts learning experiences for youth or programming in priority geographic areas, and pre-approved fiscally sponsored entities. Organizations must be physically located in Indiana, incorporated in the state, and serve Indiana audiences. Applicants must also be in good standing with the State of Indiana, IAC, their Regional Arts Partner, and the NEA. Applications are accepted in two annual cycles. The Spring 2026 cycle supports activities between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027, with applications due March 5, 2026. The Fall 2026 cycle supports projects from January 1 to December 31, 2027, with a submission deadline of September 3, 2026. For first-time applicants or organizations not currently funded by IAC, an optional draft review is available—deadlines for requesting this are February 23 and August 24, 2026, respectively. Funding notifications are provided by July 1 for the spring cycle and by December 21 for the fall cycle. Final grant reports are due July 15, 2027 (Spring cycle) or January 14, 2028 (Fall cycle). Evaluation of applications is based on project quality and planning, community benefit, and project management. Reviewers assess how well projects demonstrate artistic or cultural value, a clear timeline, service to the intended community (especially underserved populations), and appropriate staffing and budgeting. While no panel meetings are held, applicants may request reviewer feedback after award decisions are announced. Allowable uses of grant funds include artist fees, project supplies, and facility rental. However, no more than 25% of grant funds may be allocated to administrative overhead, and no more than 50% may be spent on capital equipment. Prohibited expenses include food and beverages, prizes, gift cards, and fundraising costs. Applications must be submitted online via the IAC’s grant portal; paper or alternate formats are only accepted if required for ADA accommodations. Questions about eligibility or guidelines should be directed to Regional Arts Partners, while technical and accessibility questions may be sent to [email protected] and [email protected] respectively.

Align project timeline and budget with narrative; Emphasize service to underserved communities; Review evaluation criteria for strong responses