Building Fund for the Arts Grant Program

The Building Fund for the Arts (BFA) is a capital funding initiative administered by the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC), aimed at bolstering the infrastructure supporting year-round arts programming throughout Mississippi. Established in 2001, the BFA program was launched with appropriated bond funding from the Mississippi Legislature to improve and expand arts facilities across the state. Its creation reflects the state’s commitment to fostering artistic excellence and increasing access to cultural resources by investing in the physical spaces that enable public engagement with the arts. Over the years, the program has received significant financial support from the legislature, totaling $19.2 million in bond funds between 2001 and 2018. These investments led to the completion of 99 arts infrastructure projects by 2022, including the development of prominent venues such as the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, the MSU Riley Center, and The Powerhouse Arts Center. The initiative was further reinforced by an additional $3 million in 2022 and $5 million in 2023, extending its reach and enabling new facility improvements and expansions. The BFA grant supports a variety of capital improvements for facilities that provide year-round arts programming. Eligible expenses include architectural, engineering, and consultant fees, construction costs, site development, general repairs, furniture or equipment necessary for programming, landscaping linked to renovation, parking improvements, and certain review fees. Ineligible costs include operational expenses, property acquisition, and fundraising expenses exceeding five percent of the matching funds. This ensures that funds are strictly used to develop or enhance the physical infrastructure for community-based arts engagement. Applicants must either be nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status or units of city or county government located in Mississippi. They must also own or have documented support from the owner of the facility in question and must have a demonstrated commitment to year-round arts programming. Organizations that are state agencies, state entities, or those with missions not primarily centered on the arts are not eligible. Past recipients of BFA funding can apply again if they propose a new, distinct project phase supported by a separate funding match. The application process begins with a mandatory Letter of Intent (LOI) submitted via MAC’s E-grant portal, due by July 15, 2025. Only those invited may proceed to submit a full application, which opens in August. Required materials include narrative responses, a MAC-provided budget form, strategic plans, board and staff information, contractor qualifications, architectural plans, images, a programming list, and a Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov. Additional documentation is needed for applicants working in historic buildings, forming partnerships, or applying for the first time. All materials must be submitted online. Submissions are evaluated in October 2025 through a panel review process based on criteria such as artistic quality, project design, staff and contractor qualifications, organizational readiness, and potential community impact. Contracts are expected to be issued in November 2025. The project performance period extends through June 2027, with grant disbursement split into two phases: 75% upon match confirmation and 25% after project completion and reporting. Interested applicants can reach out to Lauren Rhoades (lrhoades@arts.ms.gov, 601-359-6035) or Elaine Maisel (mississippiartscommission@gmail.com) for assistance. Additional guidance, including webinars and sample materials, is available through the MAC website.

Webinars and sample materials available on the MAC website; full application by invite only