FY26 Annual Grant Applications Open November 15, 2024

By Ann Brown, Associate Director of Grants –

Tennessee Arts Commission will accept Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Grant applications beginning November 15, 2024, for projects and activities starting July 1, 2025. Grants are available to nonprofit organizations, local governments, schools, and individuals for a variety of arts activities and services taking place in all 95 counties of the state. Grant applications are due on various deadlines in January 2025 in the online grants system. See grant guidelines below for more information on grant parameters and how to apply.

Once Annual grant applications are submitted, the grant proposals are reviewed by panels comprised of individuals representing various artistic disciplines, expertise, perspectives, and rural and urban regions of Tennessee. A panel may have representative expertise in organizational management, program creation and implementation, financial management, education, as well as other business and community development acumen. Nominations (including self-nominations) may be made by any interested individual in Tennessee and are accepted year-round. Please complete the Panelist Nomination Form and attach the nominee’s résumé. Nomination does not guarantee panel participation. Panel meetings are open to the public, held virtually via Microsoft Teams, and scheduled for March-April 2025.

Once applications are reviewed and scored by panelists, proposals are considered for funding based on the ratings and rankings of the panels. Funding recommendations are determined and approved by the Commission board in May 2025, with award notifications sent to applicants between June-July 2025, pending final budget approval for Fiscal Year 2026.

For questions about FY26 Annual Grant applications, panelist nominations, or panel meetings, please contact the appropriate program director listed below. For general grant inquiries, contact Ann Brown, Associate Director of Grants, ann.brown@tn.gov.

FY26 Annual Applications & Deadlines

Due Monday, January 6, 2025

Major Cultural Institution – Support to well-established arts organizations headquartered & chartered in Tennessee, with a history of significant year-round arts programming. NEW in FY26: Project dates are July 1, 2025-May 15, 2026. Various program directors manage this category. See grant guidelines for more information.

Partnership Support – Support for qualified arts organizations headquartered & chartered in Tennessee. NEW in FY26: Project dates are July 1, 2025-May 15, 2026. Various program directors manage this category. See grant guidelines for more information.

Small Rural Partnership Support – Support for qualified arts organizations chartered in one of Tennessee’s Rural Counties. NEW in FY26: Project dates are July 1, 2025-May 15, 2026. Various program directors manage this category. See grant guidelines for more information.

Small Urban Partnership Support – Support for qualified arts organizations chartered in one of Tennessee’s Urban Counties. NEW in FY26: Project dates are July 1, 2025-May 15, 2026. Various program directors manage this category. See grant guidelines for more information.

Due Monday, January 13, 2025

Arts Access – Support for arts projects that focus on increasing access to underserved and underrepresented people. Arts Access does not require matching funds. Kim Johnson, Director of Arts Access, kim.johnson@tn.gov

Arts Project Support – Support for arts projects and activities across all disciplines that focus on community vitality and engagement in urban counties. NEW in FY26: Project dates are July 1, 2025-June 1, 2026. Various program directors manage this category. See grant guidelines for more information.

Rural Arts Project Support – Support for arts projects and activities across all disciplines that focus on community vitality and engagement in rural counties. NEW in FY26: Project dates are July 1, 2025-June 1, 2026. RAPS does not require matching funds. Various program directors manage this category. For general inquiries, contact Bradley Hanson, Director of Folklife, bradley.a.hanson@tn.gov

Creative Placemaking – Funding to help build stronger communities through the arts for positive economic and community outcomes. NEW in FY26: Project dates are July 1, 2025-June 1, 2026. Melissa Moody, Arts Build Communities Coordinator, melissa.moody@tn.gov

Arts Education Community Learning – Support for projects that demonstrate creative and innovative arts learning programming in community settings. AE-CL does not require matching funds. Chris Sweatt, Director of Arts Education, chris.sweatt@tn.gov

Arts Education Teacher Training – Support for providing intensive professional development in arts education. AE-TT does not require matching funds. Chris Sweatt, Director of Arts Education, chris.sweatt@tn.gov

Arts Pathways for Youth Success – Support for arts learning programs preparing underserved and underrepresented youth for success. Pathways does not require matching funds. Chris Sweatt, Director of Arts Education, chris.sweatt@tn.gov

Creative Placemaking: Rural Arts Facilities Fund – Funding for rural communities to help build, renovate, or expand arts and cultural facilities resulting in positive economic and

community outcomes. RAFF does not require matching funds. Jared Morrison, Director of Performing Arts, jared.morrison@tn.gov

Due Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Individual Artist Fellowship – Recognition and acknowledgement of outstanding professional Tennessee artists who, through their work add to the cultural vitality of the state. Fellowship applications are reviewed by out-of-state adjudicators. Various program directors manage this category. See grant guidelines for more information.