Website Tennessee Arts Commission
This grant category offers grant funding for Professional Fees and Supplies for arts projects which focus on increasing access to underserved and underrepresented people which may include ethnic groups*, people with disabilities, people aged 60 years and older, and active-duty military/veterans and their families.
*Ethnic groups are defined as Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander or other groups that constitute less than the state’s current majority population.
The Commission awards Arts Access Mini-Grants in amounts up to $2,000. Arts Access Mini-Grants are smaller grants designed to introduce new applicants to the grant making process. Arts Access Mini-Grants do not require a match. The Commission funds will be paid as reimbursement to grantees upon receipt and approval of reports and invoices. Grant recipients must be prepared to handle expenditures prior to reimbursement.
Application Deadline: 30 days prior to the beginning date of the project activity.
*Ethnic groups are defined as Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander or other groups that constitute less than the state’s current majority population.
Proposed arts projects must involve one or more of these recognized art forms: visual, craft, media, design, music, theater, dance, folk, or literary arts. The following are examples of activities and expenditures that are consistent with the funding philosophy for AA-MG funding:
- Contracted artists fees for professional artists
- Materials and supplies needed for participants in the proposed art project
- Other art related projects as discussed with the Director of Arts Access
The following activities and expenditures are not appropriate for funding through this program:
- Food and hospitality
- Permanent equipment purchases
- Scholarships and subsidized programming
- Payments to members of the organization’s board
- Events to which the public is not invited
Projects may begin no earlier than July 1, 2024 and must be completed no later than June 15, 2025.
Funds awarded to a single organization in this category range up to $2,000. This grant does not require a match. Funds however are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis and once funds are depleted for a fiscal year, no more projects will be funded during that year.
Grant recipients must be prepared to handle expenditures prior to reimbursement since grant funds will be paid as reimbursements after the event. Grantees must submit all required close-out paperwork, including invoices and a list of expenditures showing where the funds were used. All grants must be closed by or before June 15, 2025. Failure to submit all of the closeout requirements may jeopardize future funding.
The Tennessee Arts Commission reserves the right to deny any application, if the proposed activities purpose is outside of the scope or spirit of this grant program.
For information on eligibility, access to the Online Grants System and more, visit https://tnartscommission.org/grants/arts-access-mini-grant/