FY24 Annual Grant Cycle Opens November 1

By Ann Brown, Associate Director of Grants –

TN Arts will begin accepting Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Grant applications on November 1, 2022, for projects occurring between July 1, 2023, through June 15, 2024. 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 Tennessee. Grant applications are due on various deadlines in January 2023 in the online grants system. See grant guidelines below for more information on specific deadlines, 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 the state. 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 and scheduled to be held virtually in March-April 2023.

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 2023, with award notifications sent to applicants between June-July 2023, pending final budget approval for Fiscal Year 2024.

For questions about FY24 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.

Arts Access – Support for arts projects that focus on increasing access to underserved and underrepresented people. NEW in FY24: Arts Access will 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. 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. 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. Shannon Ford, Director of Community Arts Development, shannon.ford@tn.gov

Arts Education Community Learning – Support for projects that demonstrate creative and innovative arts learning programming in community settings. Chris Sweatt, Director of Arts Education, chris.sweatt@tn.gov

Arts Education Teacher Training – Support for providing intensive professional development in arts education. Chris Sweatt, Director of Arts Education, chris.sweatt@tn.gov

Arts Pathways for Youth Success (Formerly Funds for At-Risk Youth/FAY) – Support for arts learning programs preparing underserved and underrepresented youth for success. Chris Sweatt, Director of Arts Education, chris.sweatt@tn.gov

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.

Major Cultural Institution – Support to well-established arts organizations headquartered & chartered in Tennessee, with a history of significant year-round arts programming. Various program directors manage this category. See grant guidelines for more information.

Partnership Support – Support for qualified arts organizations headquartered & chartered in Tennessee. 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. 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. Various program directors manage this category. See grant guidelines for more information.

Creative Placemaking: Rural Arts Facilities Fund – Application available soon. Funding for rural communities to help build, renovate, or expand arts and cultural facilities resulting in positive economic and community outcomes. Shannon Ford, Director of Community Arts Development, shannon.ford@tn.gov or Jared Morrison, Director of Performing Arts, jared.morrison@tn.gov