The GIG Fund provides $2,000-$4,000 grants to support the arts throughout the Midwest. The fund supports small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and the Native nations that share this geography.
The GIG Fund provides flexible grants to support activities featuring professional artists. The selected artists must take part in at least two public events as part of their GIG Fund project. Funds may also be used for project costs such as accessibility accommodations and marketing.
The GIG Fund prioritizes organizations that are led by or engage artists from historically underrepresented or marginalized communities, rural communities, and under-funded areas. 53% of this round’s organizations have never been funded by Arts Midwest in the past. 25% of the organizations are from rural areas, according to the National Endowment for the Arts definition. All funded organizations this round had organizational budgets below $1 million.
We work with a panel to help us review applications and distribute grants annually. With limited funding, Arts Midwest was not able to award all projects.
JOSHUA FEIST, GRANTS OFFICER AT ARTS MIDWEST“Arts Midwest is thrilled to support these organizations as they bring diverse programming featuring talented artists to so many Midwestern communities.”
Explore 2024-25 GIG Fund Projects
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Western Illinois Museum
GIG Fund
FY2025
IllinoisIn October 2024, the Museum will host The Blind Swine Speakeasy, featuring two nights of music and cultural activities tied to local Prohibition-era history. The grant supports bluegrass singer EmiSunshine…
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Indianapolis Shakespeare Co
GIG Fund
FY2025
IndianaIndy Shakes presents trans artist Will Wilhelm performing their one-person show GENDER PLAY OR WHAT YOU WILL by Will Wilhelm and Erin Murray. Will and Erin passionately take the play…
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Eastern Iowa Arts Academy
GIG Fund
FY2025
IowaPeople with disabilities will have the opportunity to attend multiple sessions of songwriting and recording workshops at TalkBack Studios, gaining studio experience alongside professional, performing artist Evan Stock. Also, participants…
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Adrian Symphony Orchestra
GIG Fund
FY2025
MichiganFunding supports the artist fees associated with the Oct 2024 concert and events featuring piano soloist Henry Kramer and composer Jennifer Higdon. Pulitzer Prize and three-time Grammy-winning composer Higdon will…
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Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center
GIG Fund
FY2025
MinnesotaChicago Avenue Fire Arts Center (CAFAC) will host workshops with visiting Danish blacksmith, Lars Mørch, in September 2024, focused on traditional blacksmithing techniques and knife-making. Workshops are open to beginners…
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Western Plains Opera
GIG Fund
FY2025
North DakotaThe Western Plains Opera brings Puccini’s beloved opera, La Boheme, to the Ann Nicole Nelson stage on the campus of Minot State University. The production on September 6th & 7th,…
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ORMACO
GIG Fund
FY2025
OhioHighlighting music of the Caribbean, ORMACO’s fall 2024 World Tour of Music Residency will provide hands-on experience for incarcerated youth, concerts in rural schools and community homes, and culminate in…
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Lakota Youth Development
GIG Fund
FY2025
South DakotaLakota Youth Development plans a transformative storytelling workshop, for youth and adults to preserve our rich Lakota cultural heritage. Guided by Lakota Authors and storytellers, participants immerse themselves in profound…
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Black Arts MKE
GIG Fund
FY2025
WisconsinBlack Arts MKE’s Black Nativity celebrates the timeless work of Langston Hughes story of the Nativity retold through a combination of poetry, dance & song from an African American perspective,…
See all 2024 GIG Fund Grantees
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