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ArtsHERE

Through grants of $65,000 to $130,000 and peer learning opportunities, ArtsHERE invests in organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to equity within their practices and programming.

 

Applications for ArtsHERE are closed. 

A group of people paint a colorful mural

About ArtsHERE

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) awards thousands of grants each year to provide diverse opportunities for arts participation. However, historically underserved communities with rich and dynamic cultural identities continue to report lower arts participation rates than other groups. To address these disparities and better understand these dynamics, the NEA, in partnership with South Arts and in collaboration with the five other U.S. Regional Arts Organizations (RAOs), launched a new grant program, ArtsHERE

ArtsHERE supports organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to equity within their practices and programming and have undertaken consistent engagement with underserved groups/communities. Grants are for specific projects that will strengthen the organization’s capacity to sustain meaningful community engagement and increase arts participation for underserved groups/communities. Grantees have access to peer-learning and technical assistance opportunities designed to share knowledge and build networks. 

The pilot round of grants is now complete. We are not currently accepting applications. Sign up for our newletter to hear any new updates about ArtsHERE.

ArtsHERE invests in organizations that have:

  • Demonstrated a commitment to equity within their practices and programming
  • Undertaken consistent engagement with underserved groups/communities.

Applications are welcome from organizations that are diverse in terms of geography, scale of operations, and focus of arts programming; as well as organizations that work at the intersection of the arts and other domains, such as community development, health/well-being, climate/environment, or economic development.

Learn more about the funded Midwestern organizations here.

Funded organizations received:

  • Investment: Managed by South Arts, ArtsHERE awarded 112 nonprofit organizations with nonmatching grants of $65,000 to $130,000. Grants are for specific projects that will strengthen each organization’s capacity to sustain meaningful community engagement and increase arts participation for underserved groups/communities.
  • Learning: ArtsHERE will offer grantees peer-learning and technical assistance opportunities, designed to share knowledge and build networks.
  • Evaluation: As a pilot program, ArtsHERE will be documented and evaluated by the National Endowment for the Arts to better understand the project activities supported through this program and how grantees approached the work, and to inspire others. The evaluation will result in a summary of lessons learned and may inform the future of ArtsHERE and other similar funding programs and practices.

ArtsHERE is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with South Arts and in collaboration with the other five U.S. Regional Arts Organizations. Wallace Foundation is supporting a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and U.S. Regional Arts Organizations by providing matching funds to support ArtsHERE.

Meet the Midwest ArtsHERE Grantees

18 Midwestern organizations were selected in the pilot round of National Endowment for the Arts grants.

Learn More

Four people of varied ages and races pose for the camera in front of a pop up photo background.
Photo Credit: Free Spirit Media

Have questions about ArtsHERE?

We’re happy to answer any questions you have about ArtsHERE. Email us at [email protected] or check out the FAQs page.

FAQs