Special Opportunities – Arts Engage Grant NOW OPEN

From Jared Morrison, Director of Performing Arts –

The Tennessee Arts Commission is excited to announce the debut of its latest funding opportunity, the Special Opportunities: Arts Engage grant. These grants provide up to $5,000 in non-matching funds to support organizational development and capacity building, or to engage the creative sector to address needs or opportunities in Tennessee communities through the arts.

Nonprofit arts organizations or local governments operating as arts organizations may apply for technical assistance activities, such as short-term consultations to assist with opportunities and challenges, as well as improvements to technology, like website development and certain computer software purchases.

Nonprofit organizations or local governments (both arts and non-arts) can apply for funding to support for activities that engage the creative sector in public and artistic ways to address unique and/or immediate community needs or opportunities, strengthen communities by creating a sense of belonging and place, advance quality of life efforts, and promote community dialogue through the arts.

Current FY24 grantees may apply for a Special Opportunities Grant as long as the proposed project is separate and distinct from any program currently funded by other Commission grant programs. It also encourages submissions from new applicants that meet eligibility requirements.

Note that funds are distributed first-come, first-served for projects occurring this fiscal year between September 2023-June 2024. For more information or to begin an application, please visit the Special Opportunities – Arts Engage guidelines or contact a program director directly.