Rural Arts Initiative

The Laura Jane Musser Fund’s General Operating Support Program aims to support nonprofit arts organizations in rural communities by providing funding to develop, implement, or sustain exceptional artistic opportunities. This initiative reflects the fund’s commitment to fostering excellence in the arts and ensuring that both adults and children have access to transformative experiences in literary, visual, music, and performing arts. The program prioritizes organizations that increase community access to the arts through scholarships, workshops, and other innovative methods, demonstrate community engagement in the creative process, and show strong local support through volunteerism, memberships, and in-kind contributions. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organizations physically located in rural communities with populations of 15,000 or fewer. These organizations must have operating budgets under $350,000 and must have been in existence for at least one year at the time of application. Organizations that provide arts programming but are not primarily arts-focused or are not physically based in eligible rural communities are ineligible. Additionally, organizations operating under fiscal sponsorships do not qualify for this opportunity. The program is geographically limited to specific rural counties and regions within the states of Colorado, Hawaii, Wyoming, New York, North Carolina, and Texas. Only arts organizations physically located in these eligible areas may apply. Funding of up to $12,000 per year is available, and applicants may receive funding for up to three consecutive years. Following three consecutive years of funding, organizations must wait at least two years before reapplying. Organizations seeking second- and third-year funding will need to demonstrate progress toward increasing community access, enhancing organizational sustainability, and growing community support. The application period runs from February 6 through March 6, 2025, with funding decisions announced in July 2025. The online application requires detailed information about the applicant’s mission, budget, community engagement, and past participation in the fund’s programs. Required attachments include organizational budgets, financial statements, board and staff lists, letters of support from community members, and anti-discrimination policies. Applications should also outline the organization’s arts programming, detailing participant demographics, class structures, and scholarship opportunities. Applicants will need to respond to several narrative questions addressing their efforts to increase access to the arts, engage their community in artistic creation, and secure community support. Additionally, organizations must describe their anticipated challenges and development plans for the next 18 months and how they plan to use grant funds in a sustainable manner. Past grantees must provide a progress report on prior funding outcomes, particularly in community engagement and organizational sustainability. Organizations must submit their application, including all required documents, through the online system before the deadline. The program does not fund capital campaigns, organizations focused solely on festivals, or advocacy initiatives. The Musser Fund places a strong emphasis on community-driven arts programs that foster participation and support within rural areas.