The Festival Grant, offered by the Arizona Commission on the Arts, supports the presentation of high-quality arts and culture programming through festivals. These grants aim to connect artists and culture bearers with communities, fostering artistic and cultural awareness. The grant funds in-person, virtual, and hybrid festivals that occur within a condensed timeframe, feature a varied and curated program of events, and promote artistic and cultural traditions.
To be eligible, festivals must demonstrate a clear emphasis on arts and culture within their programming. They must also be publicly accessible, either through free or paid admission, last a minimum of one four-hour day, and only span up to two consecutive weekends. Festivals that are part of a seasonal series, standalone productions, exhibitions, pageants, scholarships, galas, or award ceremonies are not eligible.
Eligible applicants include Arizona-based nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status, units of government (local or Tribal), local arts agencies, tribal cultural organizations, and university/college departments. Organizations without tax-exempt status may apply using a nonprofit fiscal sponsor. However, entities applying for a Festival Grant in Fiscal Year 2025 may not apply for any other grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts during the same funding period.
The application deadline is April 24, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Applications will be reviewed by a panel in June 2025, and grant award announcements will be made in August 2025. The funding period runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The evaluation criteria include the festival’s artistic and cultural impact, accessibility, and feasibility.
Applicants are encouraged to attend informational sessions to understand the requirements and application process. Sessions specific to the Festival Grant will be held on March 19, 2025, at 2:00 PM, and April 4, 2025, at 10:00 AM. Additional applicant resources, including guidelines and submission guidance, are available on the Arizona Commission on the Arts’ SurveyMonkey Apply platform.
For further inquiries, applicants may contact Brad DeBiase, Organizational Programs Manager, at the Arizona Commission on the Arts. The office is located at 417 West Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85003-1326, and can be reached by phone at (602) 771-6501 or via email at info@azarts.gov.
