The Tennessee Arts Commission is committed to providing funding opportunities to promote the arts for all Tennesseans and their communities. Whether you are a non-profit organization or an individual artist, you can find out more about the grants available by visiting the grant portal on ArtsBuild. The Commission reserves the right to deny any request or withhold funds if the programming and activities of the requesting organization are outside the scope or spirit of the Commission's mission, purpose, or grant program. The goal of this grant program is to make arts and culture more accessible to marginalized populations, including geographical area, ethnicity, age, and people with disabilities.
It also seeks to ensure access to the arts and a wide variety of cultural experiences. Any beneficiary must promptly notify the state in writing of any significant change in the structure, leadership, or financial circumstances of the organization that may affect the services provided under the grant agreement. ArtsBuild supports local arts organizations whose mission is to create and offer year-round artistic programs and experiences that are vital to the cultural life of the community. The Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant program is designed to support artistic projects that expand access to artistic experiences, address community quality of life issues through the arts, or improve the sustainability of asset-based cultural enterprises.
Unlock National Endowment for the Arts Funding
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is another source of funding for art projects. Created by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, it is the largest annual source of funding for the arts in the country and brings high-quality art to all 50 states, including rural areas, urban slums and military bases. If you believe you have been discriminated against or want to request an accommodation, contact Kim Johnson, director of Arts Access, at 615-532-9797 or the Tennessee Relay Center at 1-800-848-0298 (TTY) or 1-800-848-0299 (Voice).Understand Legal Requirements Before Applying
Before applying for a grant, all applicants are responsible for reading the legal requirements for funding from the Tennessee Arts Commission.In low-income areas there are often limited spaces to play and fewer people attend arts and cultural events. Through ABC, the Commission seeks to build communities by encouraging artists, arts organizations (including local art agencies) and art supporters in each of Tennessee's 95 counties. The agency awards operational support grants to arts-focused organizations based in Davidson County and offers project grants for high-quality arts activities in Davidson County. The Tennessee Arts Commission provides a range of funding opportunities that can help unlock potentials in Central Tennessee's cultural arts scene.
With grants from both state and federal sources available, there are plenty of ways to get involved with art projects that can benefit your community. Whether you're looking for operational support grants or project grants for high-quality arts activities, make sure you understand all legal requirements before applying. By taking advantage of these funding opportunities, you can help make art more accessible to marginalized populations while also improving community quality of life issues through art. With these grants available, there's no limit to what you can do with your creative ideas.
