ABC Grant Applications Due June 30

By Shannon Ford, Director of Community Arts Development –

June 30, 2017, is the deadline for nonprofit organizations and local governments to submit an Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant application for eligible FY2018 arts and cultural activities.

ABC Grants provide support for arts and cultural projects that positively impact communities across Tennessee. Funding can be used for arts and cultural projects that: introduce communities to unfamiliar art forms or programs; address social issues; strengthen community engagement; target youth for after-school initiatives; enhance a community’s identity or brand; add value to tourism efforts; or develop artistic or administrative skills. Potential applicants can request up to $2,500 and are encouraged to review the program guidelines.

Applicants can access the ABC grant applications on the Tennessee Arts Commission’s new online grant system after registering. More information about how to register and apply can be found here.

Across the state, 13 arts councils and development districts serve as designated agencies and administer ABC grants for grant recipients working in their service areas. Each designated agency will conduct ABC grant review panel meetings this summer starting July 24. Applicants are invited and encouraged to attend.

This past year, the designated agencies worked with the Commission to award 176 ABC Grants in 59 counties. In FY 2016, $250,000 in ABC grants leveraged additional investments of $1.3 million and benefitted over 1.3 million individuals.