FY27 Annual Grant Applications Open November 3, 2025
By Ann Brown, Associate Director of Grants –
The Tennessee Arts Commission will accept Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Grant applications beginning November 3, 2025, for projects and activities starting July 1, 2026. 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 2026 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 internally by staff to determine completeness and then by panels made up of individuals representing various artistic disciplines, perspectives, and rural and urban regions of Tennessee. Panelist nominations (including self-nominations) may be made by any 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. Staff will reach out to the nominee if more information and services are needed.
Panel meeting dates will be determined by February 2026 and posted on the Commission’s website. Annual Grant panel meetings are open to the public and held virtually via Microsoft Teams in March-April 2026. 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 2026, with award notifications sent via email to applicants between June-July 2026, pending final budget approval for Fiscal Year 2027.
For questions about FY27 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.
FY27 Annual Applications & Deadlines – See Grant Guidelines for More Information
Operating Support Due Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Major Cultural Institution – Support to well-established arts organizations headquartered & chartered in Tennessee, with a history of significant year-round arts programming. Project dates are July 1, 2026-May 15, 2027. Various program directors manage this category.
Partnership Support – Support for qualified arts organizations headquartered & chartered in Tennessee. Project dates are July 1, 2026-May 15, 2027. Various program directors manage this category.
Small Rural Partnership Support – Support for qualified arts organizations chartered in one of Tennessee’s Rural Counties. Project dates are July 1, 2026-May 15, 2027. Various program directors manage this category.
Small Urban Partnership Support – Support for qualified arts organizations chartered in one of Tennessee’s Urban Counties. Project dates are July 1, 2026-May 15, 2027. Various program directors manage this category.
Partnership Support Due Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Arts for All – Support for arts projects using innovative ways to engage people with limited participation to the arts while reducing barriers such as economic factors, health conditions, or geographic location. Kim Johnson, Director of Arts & Health, 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. Project dates are July 1, 2026-June 1, 2027. Various program directors manage this category.
Rural Arts Project Support – Support for arts projects and activities across all disciplines that focus on community vitality and engagement in rural counties. Project dates are July 1, 2026-June 1, 2027. 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. Project dates are July 1, 2026-June 1, 2027. Shannon Ford, Director of Community Arts Development, shannon.ford@tn.gov
Arts Education Community Impact – Support for high-impact arts education initiatives that build sustainable, community-driven systems to address opportunities and gaps in arts education. Chris Sweatt, Director of Arts Education, chris.sweatt@tn.gov
Arts Education Project Support – Support for projects providing high-quality, hands-on arts education experiences that help stimulate learning, prosperity, health, and well-being for Tennesseans. 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. Jared Morrison, Director of Performing Arts, jared.morrison@tn.gov or Shannon Ford, Director of Community Arts Development, shannon.ford@tn.gov
Individual Applications Due Tuesday, January 27, 2026
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.
