Grants for State governments - Arts

The Inspire! Grants for Small Museums program, administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, supports project-based efforts aimed at helping small museums provide museum services to their communities. The program is a special initiative of the Museums for America program, designed specifically for small museums of all disciplines. Projects funded through this program should align with one of the following objectives: supporting lifelong learning through experiential and cross-disciplinary learning experiences, strengthening institutional capacity, or improving collections stewardship and access. Projects must be tied to a key component of the museum’s strategic plan and generate measurable results to address an identified need or challenge. For fiscal year 2025, IMLS anticipates awarding approximately $3,000,000 in funding across 75 grants. The grant program offers two levels of funding: small projects may request between $5,000 and $25,000, with no cost share required, while large projects may request between $25,001 and $75,000, requiring a one-to-one cost share from non-federal sources. Projects must begin on or after September 1, 2025, and can span a performance period of one to three years. Applications are due by November 15, 2024, and must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Eligible applicants include museums that are nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, tribal organizations, or units of state or local government located in the United States or its territories. Museums must operate on a permanent basis, have educational or cultural purposes, exhibit objects to the public regularly, and employ professional staff. Museums located within larger parent organizations, such as universities or cultural centers, may apply independently if they operate as discrete units with their own budgets. Partnerships and collaborations with other entities are encouraged to enhance the project’s scope and impact. Applicants are required to submit a complete application, including a project narrative, budget form, budget justification, project schedule, performance measurement plan, strategic plan summary, and organizational profile. The project narrative, limited to five pages, must address three components: project justification, project work plan, and project results. Applicants must clearly identify the primary audience and beneficiaries, outline specific project activities, and explain how outcomes will be sustained after the project concludes. Supporting documents such as resumes, letters of commitment, and conservation reports may also be submitted as applicable. Applications will be evaluated through a peer review process based on the project’s alignment with program goals, clarity and feasibility of the work plan, qualifications of key personnel, and potential for meaningful and lasting results. The peer review criteria focus on the project’s justification, work plan, and intended outcomes, including the applicant’s ability to achieve and measure success. For collections-related projects, improvements in care, condition, or access to collections will also be evaluated. Award notifications are expected in August 2025. Successful applicants will be required to submit interim and final performance and financial reports through IMLS’s grants management system. The program encourages applicants to contact IMLS program officers for guidance during the application process and to participate in informational webinars. Further resources, including sample applications, can be accessed on the IMLS website.

This funding opportunity supports arts education projects in public schools and community settings within Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties, aimed at enhancing hands-on learning experiences for students through collaborative artistic initiatives.

This grant provides financial support to New Jersey companies for hiring Ph.D. candidates and graduates to conduct technological research and foster innovation in the state.

This funding opportunity supports Nevada-based nonprofit organizations and public institutions in executing arts and cultural projects that benefit local communities.

This grant provides financial assistance to local governments and authorities in Minnesota for investigating and cleaning up contaminated sites to promote redevelopment and increase property tax revenue.

This funding opportunity supports individuals and organizations in Washington, DC, to document and preserve the oral histories of local residents, focusing on community collaboration and culturally significant themes.

This grant provides funding for high school teams to create innovative plans that promote clean energy initiatives in their schools and communities, while connecting students to future career opportunities in the clean energy sector.

This grant provides funding to journalists and media organizations in Alaska for in-depth reporting on complex and underreported issues, as well as arts and culture stories, to enhance public understanding and engagement.

This funding opportunity supports projects that preserve historic resources, such as surveys and restorations, benefiting the public and requiring matching funds from the grantee.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Eau Claire area for high-impact projects that improve the quality of life for local residents.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that aim to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs within the building and construction trades, specifically targeting historically underserved populations in Pennsylvania.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and tribal communities in the U.S. to support innovative arts projects that engage the public and strengthen community connections.

This program provides coaching and community support for fundraisers of color at small nonprofits in Sacramento and Yolo counties, focusing on those addressing health and racial disparities.

This funding opportunity provides up to $3,000 to established organizations in Edgecombe County that offer recreational services to enhance limited recreational opportunities for local residents.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to U.S. and Cabo Verdean non-profit organizations for projects that strengthen cultural ties and promote mutual understanding between the two countries.

The Walter Cerf Community Fund (WCCF), administered by The Vermont Community Foundation, offers grants to address various charitable needs throughout Vermont. Its mission aligns with the Foundation's goal of supporting communities by focusing on key areas like the arts, education, historic preservation, and social services. A significant aspect of the WCCF's strategic priority is to support initiatives that address the needs of underserved populations within these focus areas. The fund also prioritizes proposals that foster cooperation, collaboration, and community building, reflecting a theory of change that emphasizes collective impact for broader community benefit. The WCCF aims to benefit organizations serving either a statewide constituency with a unique contribution to Vermont, or those located in or serving the populations of Addison County or Brandon. Approximately 70% of available funds are allocated to programs and projects in/or serving the Addison County/Brandon area, with the remaining 30% supporting statewide initiatives. This targeted approach seeks to achieve impact goals of strengthening local communities while also addressing broader state-level needs. Expected outcomes include enhanced access to arts, improved educational opportunities, preserved historical sites, and strengthened social services, particularly for underserved groups. The fund offers both small ($500-$5,000) and large (up to $25,000) grant requests. Small grants can be used for program/project support or general operating support, while large grants are strictly for program/project-specific initiatives and are reserved for organizations serving Addison County or Brandon. This structured approach to grant sizing and scope allows for both flexible support for smaller, local needs and more substantial, focused investments in specific projects with measurable results in the designated areas. The WCCF typically will not fund an entire project, preferring projects that demonstrate support from a variety of sources, which encourages broader community investment and sustainability. Eligibility for WCCF grants requires organizations to be located in or serve the people of Vermont, and to be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or be a public agency or municipality in Vermont. Nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status may apply with a fiscal sponsor. The foundation maintains a strict non-discrimination policy based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, political affiliation, military service, and physical or mental ability, ensuring that its funding initiatives are inclusive and equitable. This commitment to non-discrimination reflects a core strategic priority to foster an inclusive Vermont where all individuals have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from community programs.

The Delaware Division of the Arts awards Arts Access Grants to support the presentation of performing, visual, literary, media, or folk arts in communities throughout Delaware. These grants aim to provide experiences of artistic merit, support arts programs in new venues, foster collaboration, reach underserved audiences, and promote the creation of new works and conservation of diverse cultural traditions. Eligible applicants include municipal, county, or state government units within Delaware, and Delaware-based nonprofit organizations exempt from federal income tax under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code. Applicants may request up to 80% of eligible expenses, not exceeding $1,250. The grants focus on projects that provide increased access to the arts, especially in underserved communities, and demonstrate effective management and marketing.

The Café Royal Cultural Foundation NYC Performance Grant supports individuals focused on the production of theatre, dance, and performance art, which can be accompanied by music. This grant aligns with the foundation's mission to foster artistic creation by providing essential funding for projects that bring art to an audience. The foundation recognizes that an audience is often the final, crucial piece in a work of art created by dancers, musicians, actors, and writers. The target beneficiaries for this grant are individual performers of theatre, dance, and performance art. Eligibility criteria specify that applicants must be United States Citizens or Resident Aliens, residents of New York City for at least one year prior to applying, and plan to remain residents through the project's completion. The grant focuses on supporting full productions, specifically stating that readings for plays will not qualify. This demonstrates a commitment to funding complete and public-facing artistic endeavors. The grant prioritizes the production aspect of performing arts, explicitly stating that it does not fund costs associated with the creation or composition of new work. This focus ensures that the grants are directed towards bringing existing or newly developed works to the stage, emphasizing the performance and audience engagement. The foundation's strategic priority appears to be the direct support of artistic presentation and the cultivation of a vibrant performing arts scene in New York City. Expected outcomes include the successful staging of theatre, dance, and performance art productions. Measurable results would be the number of performances supported, the number of audience members reached, and the successful completion of the funded projects by eligible New York City artists. The implicit theory of change is that by funding the production of these art forms, the foundation contributes to the cultural enrichment of New York City, provides opportunities for artists to present their work, and ensures public access to diverse artistic expressions. Funding information specifies that grants are awarded up to $10,000, with a range of $1,000 to $10,000. While a specific grant duration is not mentioned, the expectation is that projects will be completed. The foundation's dedication to supporting performance, rather than creation, highlights its commitment to the final stages of artistic work, ensuring that art reaches its intended audience.

Creative Engagement is a program designed to assist Manhattan-based artists, arts groups, and community-focused organizations in securing public and private funding to present arts activities to the public. It is overseen by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) and is funded through a combination of City funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Greater New York Arts Development Fund, State funds from the New York State Council on the Arts’ (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrants program, and additional funds from the Howard Gilman Foundation. This program specifically targets artists and organizations that may not be able to directly apply to these larger agencies for arts funding, thereby acting as a crucial entry point for many applicants, often providing their first grant and helping to leverage further support. The program's mission aligns with supporting the arts at a grassroots level, fostering public access to a diverse range of artistic expressions, and building capacity within the arts community, particularly for those who might otherwise face barriers to funding. By offering technical assistance, networking opportunities, and promotional support, Creative Engagement not only provides financial aid but also helps develop the professional capabilities and visibility of its grantees. The underlying theory of change suggests that by empowering individual artists and smaller organizations, the program contributes to a more vibrant and accessible arts landscape within Manhattan. Creative Engagement primarily targets individual artists and collectives, as well as nonprofit organizations, all based in Manhattan. For nonprofit organizations, eligibility requires a core artistic mission or history of arts programming, proof of nonprofit status, and a commitment to not directly apply to DCLA (GNYADF) or NYSCA (Statewide Community Regrants) funds in another county/borough for the same fiscal year. Individual artists must also be Manhattan-based and cannot apply on behalf of an organization. Collectives must designate a lead artist who meets these individual artist criteria. First-time applicants are required to attend an information session webinar, ensuring they are well-prepared for the application process. The program prioritizes projects across various artistic disciplines, including performing, literary, media, and visual arts. This encompasses a broad spectrum from folk/traditional forms to contemporary and socially-engaged artistic practices. Supported activities are diverse, ranging from concerts, performances, public art, exhibitions, and screenings to festivals, workshops, and readings. The expected outcomes include an increase in publicly accessible arts activities across Manhattan, enhanced capacity and sustainability for individual artists and small arts organizations, and the fostering of new and diverse artistic voices. Measurable results could include the number of grants awarded, the number of public events supported, and feedback from participants and audiences on the impact of the funded projects. Grants are awarded in specific amounts of $4,000, $8,000, and $12,000, depending on the number of funding sources an applicant is eligible for, indicating a structured approach to resource allocation.

This funding supports Southern nonprofit organizations and government entities in enhancing their artistic programming and professional development through travel and training opportunities.