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.

• For general Arts Forward projects (including America 250):
  • The applicant is a nonprofit organization legally chartered in Tennessee, with its  headquarters and home season (or equivalent activity) in Tennessee, and holds IRS 501(c)(3) status, or
  • The applicant is an entity of local Tennessee government.
• For the 2026 South & Appalachian Creative Placemaking Summit or 2026 Nashville ARTISTS THR!VE Summit grant:
  • Nonprofit organizations or entities of local government as defined above, or
  • Individuals (must be a Tennessee resident)
• Public K–12 schools are not eligible to apply for this grant program.

Applicants are eligible for one Special Opportunities: Arts Forward grant per year, unless one of the projects is focused on America 250. In that case, an organization may receive up to two awards in FY26 — one for a general project and one specifically for an America 250 project.

Individuals applying for the Creative Placemaking Summit must be a Tennessee resident and will be required to upload proof of Tennessee residency (e.g., driver’s license or voter registration card) with their application.

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.)
• Small equipment or supply purchases tied to an organizational or project need (software must include training; routine maintenance is not eligible)
• 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.
• America 250 Projects: Activities that commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary through the arts. Organizations may propose projects that highlight American history, culture, and community reflection as part of this special initiative.

Organizations and Individuals may apply for funds to support registration fees and related expenses for the 2026 South & Appalachian Creative Placemaking Summit ($500 early bird registration through December 31, 2025) OR the 2026 Nashville ARTISTS THR!VE Summit ($200 registration fee – registration opens December 1, 2025). An individual applying to attend either conference must be a resident of Tennessee. The maximum request amount for individuals is $1,000. Organizations may apply for up to $1,000 to send a minimum of one organization representative or up to $2,000 to send a minimum of two organization representatives to either conference. Note that if the organization applicant requests above $1,000 and up to $2,000, a minimum of two organization representatives must register and attend the Summit. Organizations applying to send representatives to the CP Summit or Artists Thr!ve Summit may not apply for another Special Opportunities: Arts Forward Grant during the same fiscal year unless it is related to America 250.

Funds for the Creative Placemaking Summit or 2026 Nashville ARTISTS THR!VE Summit 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 the organization representatives registered for the conference and listed in the application and individual applicants only (although attendees are encouraged to carpool). All travel expenses must be approved beforehand and will require proof of receipt upon request for funds. Eligible travel fees include:
  • Mileage reimbursement at $.70/mile and subject to change per State regulations. (Grantee must upload proof of Point-to-Point miles from departure location to destination to calculate mileage reimbursement.)
  • 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 here.

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
• Creative Placemaking Summit OR 2026 Nashville ARTISTS THR!VE Summit
  • 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

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 FY2026 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):

• 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.

If you are using funds for Travel, Conferences & Meetings, for travel by vehicle, you must upload proof of Point-to-Point miles from your departure location to your destination to calculate mileage reimbursement, and hotel receipts for reimbursement up to the Per Diem Rates.  Room service and food is not an allowable expense.

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 (or, for individuals, demonstrated professional capacity to carry out 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 FY26 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