2026-2027 Arts Organization Support Grant Program

The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC), an agency of state government funded by the Indiana General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, administers the Arts Organization Support (AOS) grant program. This program is designed to provide stable and consistent funding to Indiana-based arts organizations across various geographies and budget sizes. The grant is part of IAC’s commitment to sustaining the state’s rich arts and cultural sector, supporting both organizations and their communities. Awardees of this biennial program receive funding for two fiscal years—FY26 and FY27—under one application cycle that opens every odd-numbered year. The primary goal of the AOS program is to ensure that high-quality artistic experiences are accessible throughout Indiana, especially in underserved areas. The program prioritizes equitable distribution of funding and supports arts providers in enhancing the quality of life within their communities. Successful applicants may use the grant funds for general operating support, including administrative costs, salaries, program planning, marketing, education, and evaluation. Notably, grantees with budgets of $50,000 or more must match funds on a 1:1 basis, with in-kind goods and services covering up to half the match requirement. Eligibility is restricted to organizations that are designated arts organizations with a demonstrated focus on the arts in their mission, recognized as such by their communities, and physically based and operating in Indiana. Organizations must have maintained active 501(c)(3) or public entity status for at least the past three consecutive years as of March 3, 2025, and possess annual cash revenue of $20,000 or more. In addition, applicants must be in good standing with the IAC, their Regional Arts Partner, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Organizations that do not meet these criteria or receive direct operating support from the state are ineligible. The application process begins with the completion of an eligibility tool. Only organizations deemed eligible are granted access to the application portal. The online application window opens on January 7, 2025, and closes on March 4, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. First-time applicants or those not currently funded by the IAC can request a draft application review by February 24, 2025. Two informational webinars will be held on January 21 and 22, 2025. All applications undergo a multi-phase review process, including a public virtual panel review from April 21 to May 2, 2025. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by September 1, 2025. Evaluation criteria are segmented into three primary areas: Artistic Quality (40%), Community Benefit, Inclusion and Accessibility (30%), and Organizational Planning, Impact, and Management (30%). Each application is scored based on how well it meets these standards, considering factors like budget size and staffing capacity. Organizations are divided into five budget tiers for review purposes, with smaller budget organizations receiving funding priority to ensure broader geographic distribution of support. Grantees are expected to submit final reports at the end of each fiscal year—July 17, 2026, for FY26 and July 15, 2027, for FY27—detailing the impact and use of funds. These reports contribute to federal-level assessments by the National Endowment for the Arts. All AOS funding recipients must acknowledge public support in their materials and comply with additional reporting and transparency requirements as detailed in the Indiana Arts Commission’s policies. The program is competitive, and not all eligible applicants are guaranteed funding.