Folk and Traditional Arts Project Grant

The Folk and Traditional Arts Project Grant is a funding opportunity administered by Colorado Creative Industries, a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). This grant is designed to celebrate, document, and preserve the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Colorado through the support of folk and traditional arts projects. It recognizes the significance of cultural expressions rooted in community traditions, including those passed down through generations by ethnic, religious, occupational, and regional groups. The grant aims to promote cultural identity, belonging, economic vitality, and a sense of place within communities across the state. The program offers funding in two distinct areas: one for the creation, presentation, or teaching of folk and traditional arts, and the other for documenting such art forms and cultural practices. This documentation may take the form of community archiving, oral histories, photojournalism, video, or other creative and documentary works. The grant amount for either funding track is a flat $3,000, which can fully support a project without the need for matching funds. Funds may be used to compensate individuals or organizations for their time and effort, and may cover the costs of materials, supplies, public engagement activities, workshops, and tangible research outcomes. However, re-granting of funds is strictly prohibited. Applicants must be based in Colorado and at least 18 years old. Eligible applicants include individuals, collectives, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, Federally-recognized tribal governments, and units of state or local government. Projects should be led by, or meaningfully engage, members of the community whose traditions are being represented or documented. Fiscal sponsorship is allowed, provided associated costs do not exceed 10% of the funding request. All projects must be completed by June 30, 2027. Final reports, including project documentation and necessary release forms, are due by July 27, 2027. The application opens on January 27, 2026, and closes at 4:00 p.m. on April 14, 2026. Funding decisions will be announced in July 2026. Applicants must submit their materials via the OEDIT Grant Portal and are encouraged to register early to avoid technical issues. Required materials include responses to narrative questions, a detailed budget, and up to three work samples with accompanying descriptions. Applicants may attend a virtual info session on February 5, 2026, to learn more. Applications are reviewed by a panel and evaluated on the basis of three main criteria: reflection of cultural heritage and alignment with folk and traditional arts (25%), artistic excellence and merit (25%), and community benefit and impact (50%). Grantees must comply with all state and federal accessibility standards, including the ADA, and are encouraged to complete an accessibility self-assessment. Grantees are also required to acknowledge CCI’s support in all promotional materials and may be asked to submit their work for inclusion in a digital archive managed in collaboration with the Colorado State Archives and History Colorado. Additional guidelines emphasize ethical documentation practices, informed consent, and cultural sensitivity. Community involvement and respectful representation are central values of this funding opportunity. Interested applicants can receive personalized support through CCI’s Grant Navigator program, and questions about accessibility can be directed to Katy Zeigler at [email protected]. For general inquiries about the program, contact Libby Barbee at [email protected] or 970-222-7943.

Align project with NEA folk/traditional arts definition; emphasize community benefit and cultural relevance in narrative.