Arts for Lifelong Learning Mini-Grants

The Arts for Lifelong Learning Mini-Grants – Veteran's Project is a funding initiative administered by the Arkansas Arts Council, a division under the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. The Council's mission is to advance the arts in Arkansas by supporting creative opportunities and making quality arts experiences accessible to residents across the state. The Veteran's Project is a specialized strand within the broader Arts in Education program, focusing on enriching the lives of veterans through structured artistic engagement and hands-on experiences in various community settings. This grant program is specifically designed to support short-term artist residencies of up to 10 days that provide direct arts engagement for veterans. The funding is available to eligible institutions—typically community-based or governmental organizations—that serve veterans and can host an arts-based residency program. A key feature of this grant is the flexibility regarding artist eligibility; unlike other Arts in Education programs that require artists to be on a designated roster, the Veteran’s Project permits the hiring of professional artists who are not listed on the Arkansas Arts Council's Arts in Education Artist Roster. This ensures a wider pool of talent and potentially more relevant or specialized programming tailored to veterans' needs. Eligible projects must feature interactive, hands-on arts activities and may also incorporate an in-service workshop as part of the residency. The intent is to provide meaningful arts experiences that promote expression, healing, socialization, and skill development for participants. The types of artistic engagement are not limited by medium or discipline, thereby allowing for a broad interpretation of what constitutes a qualifying residency program. In doing so, the grant encourages creative flexibility in how organizations design and implement their veteran-centered arts initiatives. Applicants may request up to $2,000 in grant funding, and no cash or in-kind match is required, which lowers the barrier to entry and makes the program more accessible to smaller or resource-constrained institutions. Funding is intended to support residency-related costs, including artist fees, materials, and associated programming expenses. However, certain expenditures are restricted; for example, grants may not be used for entertainment costs, capital improvements, faculty or staff salaries in the context of Arts in Education programs, or general fundraising efforts. Applications for the Veteran’s Project are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, with the exception of the month of September when the program is closed to submissions. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Arts in Education Program Manager before submission to discuss their project idea and ensure it aligns with program goals. Applications must be submitted online via the Arkansas Arts Council’s Grants Portal and should be complete at the time of submission. Late applications will only be considered if the applicant can demonstrate a compelling reason beyond their control, such as natural disasters. The primary contact for this grant is Matt Boyce, the Arts in Education Program Manager, who can be reached at 501-324-9769 or via email. The grant program does not have a fixed annual deadline, but its recurring nature suggests that organizations may plan for participation in multiple years. Though not explicitly stated, performance periods likely align with project timelines and may vary based on the structure of each proposed residency. Applicants are advised to review all relevant guidelines and policies provided by the Arkansas Arts Council to ensure compliance and improve their chances of funding success.