Arts Project Support Grant Program

The Arts Project Support (APS) grant is administered by the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC), a state government agency funded by the Indiana General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. APS is one of IAC’s core programs to ensure statewide access to arts and cultural experiences by supporting short-term, public-facing arts projects or series of arts activities. The goal of the APS program is to reach every county in Indiana and engage communities with high-quality, accessible arts programming that reflects the diversity of the state. Applicants may receive up to $4,000 in support for eligible project expenses including artist fees, program materials, and facility rentals. Common project types include performances, exhibits, arts festivals, community-based arts education programs, and cultural planning efforts. Importantly, APS grants require no matching funds, and awardees may receive the full grant amount at the beginning of the grant period, pending timely submission of required materials and good standing with the IAC and related agencies. The APS program will be offered in two application cycles for FY2026. The Spring cycle opens January 7, 2025, and closes March 4, 2025, supporting projects occurring between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. The Fall cycle opens September 1, 2025, and closes September 30, 2025, with a performance period from January 1 to December 31, 2026. However, organizations may only receive one APS grant in FY2026, regardless of cycle. Funding notifications for the Spring cycle will be issued by August 1, 2025, and for the Fall cycle by December 12, 2025. Eligible applicants include Indiana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organizations, other nonprofits that offer arts programming, 501(c)(6) tourism or chamber entities, local government units, public libraries, K–12 schools, pre-approved fiscally sponsored entities, and select colleges and universities. Colleges must offer community-based K–12 arts programming or serve high-priority counties as designated by IAC. All applicants must complete a mandatory online eligibility tool before accessing the application portal. Evaluation is based on project quality and planning (30%), community benefit and accessibility (40%), and project management (30%). Applications are reviewed by a panel of community members and arts professionals, with final funding decisions based on review scores and geographic priorities. Reviewers' comments will be shared with applicants after award decisions. Successful applicants are required to submit a final grant report within 15 days after the end of their grant period, detailing project impact and financial expenditures. For questions about program guidelines and eligibility, applicants should contact their Regional Arts Partner. For technical or accessibility-related assistance, inquiries may be directed to IAC’s grants administration and accessibility teams. Applications must be submitted through IAC’s online grant portal by the stated deadline; late submissions are not accepted.

Emphasize underserved communities; ensure project aligns with evaluation criteria; strong project planning and clarity improve competitiveness.