Special Opportunities – Arts Forward

The Tennessee Arts Commission encourages applications from any eligible organization from across the state, with special encouragement for those located in distressed, at-risk, and rural counties.

• Nonprofit arts organizations legally chartered in Tennessee, with headquarters and home season (or equivalent activity) in Tennessee, and holding IRS 501(c)(3) status.
• Nonprofit non-arts organizations legally chartered in Tennessee, with headquarters in Tennessee, and holding IRS 501(c)(3) status.
• Entities of local or state government.
• Individuals who are Tennessee residents are also eligible to apply for the 2026 Grantmakers in the Arts Conference only.
• Public K–12 schools are not eligible to apply for this grant program.

Applicants are eligible for one Special Opportunities: Arts Forward grant per fiscal year — either a general project grant or the GIA Conference grant, not both.

Organizations that receive revenue directly from a “New Specialty Earmarked Plate” under T.C.A. 55-4-301(a)(1) are not eligible.

Proposed applications must involve one or more Commission-recognized art forms, including: visual arts, craft, media, design, music, theater, dance, folk and ethnic, or literary arts. Please see Legal Requirements for further details.

Debarment and Suspension: Grantees are required to sign contracts certifying, to the best of their knowledge and belief, that they and their principals/subcontractors are not debarred, suspended, or otherwise ineligible for federal or state funds.

Organizations may apply for activities that include (but are not limited to):

• Short-term consultations or technical assistance (planning, board/staff development, marketing, accessibility training, financial management, technology, etc.)
• Engaging professional touring artists or groups for public performances and educational activities in Tennessee communities.
• Arts participation projects such as community workshops, classes, or collaborative art-making activities that engage participants directly in the creative process.
• Small equipment or supply purchases tied to an organizational or project need (software must include training; routine maintenance is not eligible). Available to nonprofit arts organizations only.

The 2026 Grantmakers in the Arts Conference will be held October 18–21, 2026 in Memphis, TN. Funding is available to organizations and individuals to help cover registration and related costs.

• Organizations may request up to $2,000 to support a minimum of two organizational representatives.
• Individuals must be a Tennessee resident and may request up to $1,000.

Registration rates vary based on GIA membership status and organizational budget. Early bird registration is available August 4–17, 2026. General registration runs August 18–October 1, 2026. See the conference FAQ for current registration rates.

Funds may be used for:

• Stipends: Applicants may request a $100 stipend for each full day of training (7 or more hours) and $50 for each half day (less than 7 hours).
• Registration fees for the conference.
• Travel for registered representatives listed in the application (attendees are encouraged to carpool). All travel expenses must be approved beforehand and will require proof of receipt. Eligible travel expenses include:
  • Mileage reimbursement at $0.70/mile, subject to change per State regulations. (Grantee must upload proof of Point-to-Point miles from departure location to destination.)
  • Parking fees
  • Airline tickets, baggage fees, and ground transportation. Long-term airport parking is reimbursed at the standard rate offered by the airport’s long-term or economy parking facility.
  • Hotel: Applicant may request funds at the hotel rate indicated by the GSA per diem rates.

Individual applicants must upload proof of Tennessee residency (e.g., driver’s license or voter registration card) with their application.

Special Opportunities funds cannot be used for:

• Any project or activity currently funded through another Tennessee Arts Commission grant
• Routine operating expenses not directly tied to an eligible use
• Ongoing maintenance or website costs
• Any activity the Commission determines to be outside the scope or intent of this grant category

• General Projects
  • Maximum request: $5,000
  • No match required
  • Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted
  • Funds are reimbursed to grantee after completing reporting requirements
• 2026 Grantmakers in the Arts Conference
  • Organizations: Maximum request $2,000
  • Individuals: Maximum request $1,000
  • No match required
  • Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted
  • Funds are reimbursed to grantee after completing reporting requirements

1. Register to use the Online Grants System. Register well in advance of your deadline; late registrations may delay your ability to apply.
2. Once you have a username and password, log in to complete your profile and begin an application.
3. Complete the “Organization” and “People” profiles accurately. This information is used in application review.
4. Select “Apply for a ROLLING Grant” → “Special Opportunities.”
5. Complete all application fields and upload required attachments.
6. Submit at least 30 days prior to the project start date.

Note: Forms do not auto-save. Always click “Save” before navigating away. Using your browser’s back button will exit the system and erase your work.

If you are associated with multiple organizations, check the correct organization name prepopulated in your application. Update if needed.

Applicants must complete and successfully submit all sections of the FY2027 Rolling Grant Application, including required uploads, at least 30 days before the project start date.

Required Documents (Organizations/Entities of Government):

• Current bylaws (on file in Organization profile)
• IRS EIN (in the name of the applicant organization)
• Unique Entity ID (UEI)
• For nonprofits:
  • Corporation Annual Report (TN Secretary of State “Printer Friendly Version” PDF)
  • Current Board of Directors list including:
    • Full Name
    • Email address
    • Years on the board
    • Length of term(s)

Other biographical info should not be included. Commission funds may not be used to pay board members.

Required Documents (Individuals — GIA Conference applicants only):

• Proof of TN Residency (a copy of applicant’s Tennessee voter registration card, or a legal and valid Tennessee driver’s license)

Applications are reviewed in-house by Commission staff. Funding notification will take place via email.

Grant funds will be paid as reimbursements after the activity. Grantees must submit all required close-out paperwork no later than 30 days after the activity end date. Failure to do so may jeopardize future funding.

Applications will be reviewed for:

• Clarity and feasibility of the proposed activity
• Alignment with program purpose and eligible uses
• Demonstrated organizational capacity to complete the activity
• Potential impact on organizational strength and/or community engagement

The Tennessee Arts Commission reserves the right to deny or withhold, in whole or in part, public funds for projects or activities deemed inappropriate or outside the scope or spirit of this program.

A completed FY27 Title VI training and certification must be completed before any grant funds will be disbursed.

All Commission-sponsored programs, services, and facilities are fully accessible to all Tennessee artists and citizens. No person, on the basis of disability, age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other classification protected by Federal or Tennessee law, shall be given preferential treatment or excluded from participation in services, programs, or employment provided by the Commission and its contracting agencies. If an individual believes they have been subjected to discrimination, they may file a complaint with the Civil Rights Enforcement Division of the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office at the Online Complaint Portal; phone: 615.741.5825; email: CRED@ag.tn.gov; or by mail to P.O. Box 20207, Nashville, TN 37202.

All Commission sponsored programs, services and facilities should be fully accessible and compliant with American with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunication. The ADA extends the requirements under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, to all activities of state and local governments and places of public accommodations operated by private entities, including places of public display. Resources to assist in meeting these requirements can be found on the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Accessibility Resources page.

Any grantee shall promptly notify the State in writing of any significant changes in the organization’s structure, leadership, or financial circumstances that could affect services provided under the grant contract resulting from this application.

General information, to determine eligibility to apply, and Performing Arts:
Jared Morrison, Director of Performing Arts – jared.morrison@tn.gov

Community Arts:
Shannon Ford, Director of Community Arts Development – shannon.ford@tn.gov

Arts Education:
Chris Sweatt, Director of Arts Education – chris.sweatt@tn.gov

Folk and Traditional Arts:
Bradley Hanson, Director of Folklife – bradley.a.hanson@tn.gov

Literary Arts:
Lee Baird, Director of Literary Arts – lee.baird@tn.gov

Visual, Craft, Media and Design Arts:
Krishna Adams, Director of Visual Arts, Craft, Media, and Design – krishna.adams@tn.gov

Arts and Health:
Kim Johnson, Director of Arts and Health – kim.johnson@tn.gov