Indy Arts Council Project Grants

The Project Grants program, administered by the Indy Arts Council, provides funding to support arts programming in public spaces and youth-focused arts education initiatives within Marion County, Indiana. This initiative is partially funded by the City of Indianapolis and seeks to enrich the local cultural landscape by encouraging public engagement in arts and culture, as well as by fostering creative learning opportunities for young residents. The grant is open to nonprofit organizations and individual artists who are residents of or based in Marion County. The grant is structured to support two distinct project types: arts programming in public spaces and youth arts education. Public space projects may include festivals, performances, art or music workshops, and therapeutic arts activities occurring in locations such as parks, libraries, and community centers. Youth education programs may involve in-school or out-of-school settings and must serve youth under 18. Public art installations are not eligible under this grant due to limited available funding. For both project types, a letter of support from the hosting venue or institution is required to confirm partnership and location suitability. Funding may be used for any project-related expenses, including artist fees, materials, administration, outreach, and production costs. Awards range from $2,000 to $10,000, and there is no requirement for matching funds. All supported activities must be executed between November 2025 and November 30, 2026. Final reporting, including details on project impact, participant engagement, and media documentation, is due by December 31, 2026. Applicants must be 18 years or older, residents of Marion County, and capable of providing a Social Security Number, ITIN, or USCIS A-Number. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or fiscally sponsored entities, headquartered in Indianapolis. Schools and universities are ineligible. Additionally, all projects must include the participation of artists and ensure they are compensated fairly. Applications open on August 18, 2025, and must be submitted online by September 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM via the Indy Arts Council’s grant portal. The application consists of a written submission, but alternative formats—such as video or dictated responses—are accepted upon request. An application overview video is available to assist applicants in preparing their proposals. Proposals are evaluated on community benefit (50%), artistic experience (30%), and feasibility (20%). For questions or to schedule a virtual meeting with the grants team, applicants can contact Anna Tragesser, Program Manager, at 317-624-2561 ext. 221 or via email at grants@indyarts.org. The application portal and additional resources, including the workshop video, are accessible on the Indy Arts Council’s website.

Watch the recorded application workshop for guidelines, walkthroughs, and proposal writing tips