Community Arts Experience Grants
The arts are essential to community vitality—boosting state and local economies, enriching quality of life, attracting creative workforce, preserving cultural heritage, and more. To ensure thriving communities across Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Arts Council awards project funding through Community Arts Experience Grants to support festivals, exhibitions, performances, and other audience-based programs.
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Eligible organizations can apply for the following:
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Two Community Arts Experience Grants per fiscal year; or,
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One Community Arts Experience Grant and one Community Arts Learning Grant per fiscal year
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The maximum grant award request is up to $5,000 per project. A 100% (1:1) award match is required. This is a competitive grant program and award amounts are determined using the grant program scoring criteria and agency priorities.
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This grant replaced the Small Grant Support program, effective September 1, 2023.
Program Objectives
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Expand arts and cultural opportunities for Oklahomans
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Support arts-focused programs that enliven communities through a wide range of engagement
opportunities for all people
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Provide matching funds for arts-focused projects
Overview
Project Activity Dates
August 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025 (Grant Period FY2025)
Grant Amount
Up to two $5,000 grants per fiscal year. Organizations may apply for two Community Arts Experience Grants, or they may apply for one Community Arts Experience Grant and one Community Arts Learning Grant. Match requirement: 1:1 (100%). Half of the match (50%) may be in-kind support. Matching funds may not be federal funds or other Oklahoma Arts Council funds. Award amounts are determined using the grant program scoring criteria and agency priorities.
Application Deadlines
60 days before your project begins
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for grants, an applicant must be a non-religious, nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization; agency of government; sovereign Indian Nation; public library; or college, university, or public school. Nonprofit organizations must be incorporated in the State of Oklahoma. (Title 70:10-3-25). For complete eligibility requirements, see the grant program guidelines (linked below).
What Types of Programs Can Be Supported?
Arts-focused community and audience-based programs, including concerts, recitals, visual art exhibitions, and multi-disciplinary events such as festivals.
If your project is focused on providing arts learning and skill building opportunities, please see Community Arts Learning Grants.
What Expenses Are Allowable?
Funding can be used to reimburse expenses such as artist fees and travel expenses, contracted administration or technical fees, rental expenses, marketing expenses, and consumable supplies. For more examples of allowable expenses and unallowable expenses, see the program guidelines (link below).
Documents and Links
Grant Program Guidelines
General Grant Terms and Conditions
Grant System Login
How to Apply
Step 1: Your organization must be verified in the Oklahoma Arts Council grant portal before applying for this grant opportunity. If your organization is new to Oklahoma Arts Council grants, you must create a new account in the Fluxx grant portal and complete the eligibility verification process (which may take up to 15 days to review and process). If you have questions, contact our grants office at grants@arts.ok.gov or 405-521-2040.
Step 2: Once your organization is verified, you can start an application from the Apply for Funding page. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on the application deadline date published on the grant program guidelines. If an application deadline falls on a weekend or state holiday, the application will be due by 5:00 p.m. on the next business day. Late submissions are subject to the noncompliance policies as outlined in the General Grant Terms and Conditions.
Who to Contact for Help
For questions about this grant program, contact a member of our rural and creative community outreach team:
Miranda Gilbert
Director of Community Arts and Workforce Programs
405-308-9270
miranda.gilbert@arts.ok.gov
Molly O'Connor, Director of Rural and Creative Community Outreach
(405) 317-3297
molly.oconnor@arts.ok.gov
For questions about grant system access, contact:
Martyna Sandoval, Grants and Programs Associate
(405) 239-0257
martyna.sandoval@arts.ok.gov
For questions about managing your grant award, contact:
Thomas Tran, Grants Director
(405) 521-2041
thomas.tran@arts.ok.gov