2026 Arts Learning Project Grant

The Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Arts Learning Project Grant (ALP) is offered by the Nevada Arts Council to support arts learning initiatives across Nevada. The grant aims to fund arts learning programming, teaching artist residencies, and training for teachers and teaching artists. These programs provide students and individuals of all ages with opportunities to work directly with practicing artists. The grant funds may be used for group lessons, workshops (both in-person and virtual), and educational performances held at schools or community facilities. The funding can be applied to a single project or a series of related activities, provided the funded portion falls within the grant period of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Eligible applicants include Nevada-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, regardless of whether arts education is their primary mission, as well as public institutions such as government agencies, schools, public libraries, and higher education institutions. Organizations located in states bordering Nevada may apply if at least 75% of the project serves Nevada communities. Applicants must have active incorporation status with the Nevada Secretary of State and a Unique Entity ID (UEI) from SAM.gov. Nonprofit organizations listed on the Nevada Arts Council Teaching Artist Roster may apply for either the Arts Learning Project Grant or the Arts Learning Express Grant but not both. Colleges and universities are limited to one grant per academic department, and multiple departments within the same governmental agency cannot apply separately unless they have distinct missions and advisory boards. The maximum award amount is $7,000, with a required 1:1 cash or in-kind match. Eligible expenses include teaching artist and production artist fees, materials and supplies, facility rental fees, and project-relevant equipment purchases up to $1,000. The grant does not cover general operating expenses, private lessons, college credit classes, or school staff salaries. Schools receiving this grant must ensure that the funding supplements rather than replaces existing arts education services. Funds can be disbursed as an advance payment upon receipt of signed terms and conditions or as a reimbursement. All grant-funded expenditures must be documented in a final report, which grantees must submit to remain eligible for future Nevada Arts Council funding opportunities. Applications open on February 3, 2025, and must be submitted by April 1, 2025. A review panel will assess applications based on four evaluation criteria: project design and content, project management, artistic excellence, and arts learning impact/artistic merit. Each criterion carries equal weight (25 points each). The panel will consider factors such as the clarity of project objectives, the alignment with Nevada’s academic content standards (for Pre-K-12 projects), the quality of personnel and financial planning, the experience and qualifications of participating artists, and the project's inclusivity and accessibility. To apply, applicants must complete an online application and provide detailed responses to narrative questions, including project details, mission and history, project management information, a grant funding budget table, a full project budget table, artist selection and biographies, and artistic work samples. Additional materials such as marketing and publicity samples, evaluation forms, contracts, and organizational printed materials are also required. The Nevada Arts Council provides translation and language assistance upon request. For inquiries, applicants may contact Arts Learning Specialists Shereen Choudhury at schoudhury@nevadaculture.org (702-486-6680) or Sogand Tabatabaei at stabatabaei@nevadaculture.org (775-687-7103). General inquiries can be directed to infonvartscouncil@nevadaculture.org or 775-687-6680. The Nevada Arts Council has offices at 200 S. Virginia St., Suite 320, Reno, NV 89501, and 4000 South Eastern Ave., Suite 310, Las Vegas, NV 89119.