Rural Arts Opportunity Grants

The Rural Arts Opportunity Grants program is an initiative of the Oklahoma Arts Council, the state agency responsible for the support and development of the arts throughout Oklahoma. This grant represents a strategic investment of funds allocated by the Oklahoma State Legislature to advance goals related to economic development, education, and quality of life in rural areas. The program aims to address the disparities in access to arts and cultural activities faced by geographically isolated communities in Oklahoma, particularly those identified as historically underfunded. Through this grant opportunity, the Council seeks to establish or strengthen local arts infrastructure and ensure equitable arts access for residents across the state. This grant is exclusively available to organizations located in designated “Opportunity Counties,” identified based on a historical analysis of Oklahoma Arts Council funding and award distribution. A total of 40 counties qualify, including areas such as Alfalfa, Atoka, Choctaw, Cimarron, and Washita, among others. Applicants from outside these counties are not eligible for this specific opportunity but are encouraged to explore other grant programs offered by the Council. Eligible applicants include non-religious, nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations, agencies of government, sovereign Indian Nations, and public libraries. Nonprofits must be incorporated in the State of Oklahoma, per Oklahoma statutory requirements. The program supports a wide range of arts initiatives, categorized into three general areas: capacity building and professional development; learning-based arts programs; and audience-based arts programming. Projects may be either new or ongoing, but they must not conclude before the application is submitted. Funding can be used for arts-related expenses such as artistic and administrative payroll, operational and facility costs directly tied to programming, planning and evaluation contracts, and other program-related expenditures. The program guidelines provide further detail on allowable and unallowable costs. Each organization may receive up to $5,000 in funding. A 1:1 matching requirement applies to all awards, and applicants may fulfill up to 50% of the match through in-kind contributions. Matching funds must come from non-federal and non-Oklahoma Arts Council sources. Applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the project start date. The final report must be submitted within 30 days after the project ends or by July 30, 2026, whichever is earlier. To apply, organizations must first be verified in the Oklahoma Arts Council’s Fluxx grant portal. New applicants must create an account and undergo an eligibility verification process, which can take up to 15 days. Once verified, applicants may begin their submission through the Apply for Funding page on the Council’s website. Submissions are due by 5:00 p.m. Central Time on the designated deadline date. If the date falls on a weekend or state holiday, the deadline is extended to the next business day. Late submissions are subject to penalties per the General Grant Terms and Conditions. For additional support, applicants can contact Molly O’Connor, Assistant Director, at [email protected] or 405-521-2013. For technical issues related to system access, the Grants Office can be reached at [email protected] or 405-521-2040. Those managing awarded grants may contact Thomas Tran, Grants Director, at [email protected] or 405-521-2041. The performance period for this grant runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The opportunity recurs annually, with the next projected deadline expected in 2027, continuing the Council’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to the arts in rural Oklahoma.

Apply at least 60 days in advance; 50% in-kind match permitted.