Promotion of the Arts Grants to Organizations and Individuals

To support opportunities for Americans throughout the nation to experience the arts, foster and celebrate America's artistic heritage and cultural legacy, benefit from arts education at all stages of life, and support arts and health programs.

Grants support general arts and arts-related research projects. Project-based support is available for arts activities in a range of artistic disciplines/fields including Arts Education, Challenge America, Dance, Design & Our Town, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literary Arts, Local Arts Agencies, Museums, Music, Opera, Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works, Research, Theater & Musical Theater, and Visual & Media Arts. Grants are intended to serve a wide variety of urban, suburban, rural, and tribal communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. jurisdictions. We welcome applications from a variety of eligible organizations, including first-time applicants; and from organizations with small, medium, or large operating budgets. Honorary fellowships in the fields of Jazz and Folk & Traditional arts are awarded to master artists to recognize outstanding achievement in the arts. For a full description of each opportunity, see www.arts.gov/grants.

Tax-exempt organizations meeting the following conditions may apply: (1) No part of any earnings may benefit a private stockholder or individual, and (2) donations to the organization are allowable as charitable deductions under Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. Examples of eligible organizations are arts institutions, arts service organizations, local arts agencies, official units of state and local governments, federally recognized tribal communities, and Indian tribes. Generally, an organization may submit only one application for a single project per year; must have a five-year history of arts programming prior to the application deadline; and must have submitted acceptable final reports by the due date for all National Endowment for the Arts grants previously received. Certain master artists who have made extraordinary contributions to the arts in the United States are eligible for honorary fellowships awarded on the basis of nominations. Individuals must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. See respective notices of funding opportunity for more information.

Through activities and services supported, beneficiaries include the general public and artists as well as nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, local arts agencies, local education agencies (school districts), federally recognized tribal communities and Indian tribes, literary artists, and master artists.

The National Endowment for the Arts' grants support projects that include: opportunities for individuals to experience and participate in a wide range of art forms and activities; the preservation of significant works of art and cultural traditions; the presentation of artistic works of all cultures and periods; opportunities for artists to create, refine, perform, and exhibit their work; new models to create work or engage audiences; access to creative arts therapies and evidence-based programs in the arts and health; standards-based arts education activities for K-12 students; learning in the arts at all stages of life; creative placemaking that integrates the arts into the fabric of community life; opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of arts organizations and artists; development, production and national distribution of innovative media projects about the arts; professional development for artists and arts-related educators; the recognition of artists for their contributions to our nation's artistic heritage; partnerships with other government agencies and entities to carry out quality projects or initiatives of mutual interest including international cultural exchange; other activities that acquaint foreign artists and cultural officials with the best of American culture; research that analyzes the value and impact of the arts in the United States; and initiatives intended to address special needs or opportunities. Consult the relevant notices of funding opportunity for more information (see www.arts.gov).

Support is project specific and general operating support is not allowed. See the relevant notices of funding opportunity for a complete list unallowable costs and activities.

The length of time the assistance is available and money awarded can be spent varies according to project or grant category. Most grants have a one-year period of performance; some extend longer.

Applicants should consult current funding opportunities, guidelines, or program announcements for the funding area under which they intend to apply. Relevant items are available on the National Endowment for the Arts' website at www.arts.gov.

The primary criteria by which all applications are assessed are artistic excellence and artistic merit. For any additional criteria, consult respective notices of funding opportunity available at arts.gov.

Applications generally receive three independent levels of review. First, they are reviewed by independent, national panels of artists and other arts experts. Recommendations are forwarded to the National Council on the Arts, which then makes recommendations to the Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Chair reviews the Council's recommendations and makes the final decision on all awards.

Range of approval/disapproval time varies by notice of funding opportunity and are dependent on deadline dates and meetings of the National Council on the Arts. Details can be found in the relevant notice of funding opportunity available at www.arts.gov.

Information on requests for reconsideration may be obtained from the headquarters office.