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To ensure all Oklahomans have access to the arts, Rural Arts Opportunity Grants are available to organizations in select rural counties. The grant program represents a strategic investment by the Oklahoma Arts Council to advance state goals related to economic development, education, and quality of life. Grants are available to support capacity building and professional development activities, and learning-based or audience-based arts programs. The program was developed through allocated funds from the Oklahoma State Legislature to leverage resources for geographically isolated areas of the state that have limited access to arts and cultural activities.

Grant Program Goals

• Support arts programming and opportunities for more Oklahomans

  • This grant opportunity is only open for organizations in the Opportunity Counties listed below

• Establish arts infrastructure in rural and remote areas

Opportunity Counties

Organizations in the counties below are eligible for this funding opportunity. Counties were identified through an analysis of Oklahoma Arts Council funding history and award distribution, with a special focus on supporting historically underfunded areas.

Organizations in counties not on the list are encouraged to learn about funding available through our other grant programs.

Overview

Project Activity Dates
July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025 (Grant Period FY2025)

Grant Amount
Up to $5,000 per organization. 
Award match requirement: 1:1 (100%). Half of the match (50%) may be in-kind support. Matching funds may not be other Oklahoma Arts Council funds or federal funds

Application Deadline
60 days before your project begins..

Final Report Due
30 days after project ends, or July 30, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time

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; or public library. Nonprofit organizations must be incorporated in the State of Oklahoma. (Title 70:10-3-25).

What Types of Programs Can Be Supported?

Grants can support projects associated with capacity building/professional development, learning-based, or audience-based arts programs. Projects can be new or ongoing but cannot end before the submission of an application. Please see the Grant Program Guidelines for more project examples.

What Expenses Are Allowable?

Funding from this grant can be used toward arts-related expenses such as artistic and administrative payroll expenses; facility and operational expenses directly related to arts programming and administration; consulting, planning, and evaluation contracts to support arts capacity building; and arts program-related expenses. Projects can be new or ongoing but cannot end before the submission of an application. Please see the Grant Program Guidelines for complete list of allowable and unallowable expenses.

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 Molly O’Connor, Assistant Director, at molly.oconnor@arts.ok.gov or 405-521-2013.

For questions about grant system access, contact the Grants Office at grants@arts.ok.gov or 405-521-2040.

For questions about managing your grant award, contact Thomas Tran, Grants Director, at thomas.tran@arts.ok.gov or 405-521-2041.