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GIG Fund

The GIG Fund is a grant of $2,000 – $15,000 that helps organizations bring artists into their community.
 
This year, there are two tracks: GIG Fund and GIG Fund: Arts and Wellness.

An African American musician encircled by musicians and audience members.
Photo Credit: Marc Monaghan

About GIG Fund

The GIG Fund provides grants of up to $15,000 for nonprofit organizations to offer public-facing arts projects and activities in Midwestern communities.

This year, we’re pleased to offer two tracks:

  • GIG Fund is for organizations with budgets under $2 million annually whose projects reach underserved audiences.
  • GIG Fund: Arts and Wellness is for organizations of any budget size whose projects have an arts and wellness focus.

Applicants may only apply for one GIG Fund grant per year.

The 2025 cycle is now open. Intents to Apply are due September 15, 2025, with final applications due September 29, 2025.

GIG Fund

GIG Fund is for organizations with budgets under $2 million annually to host creative, engaging public activities featuring a professional artist that reach an underserved audience.

Grants range from $2,000 – $15,000.

Learn More

A man in a turban reads a letter and holds his hand to his heart
Photo Credit: Alana Horton

GIG Fund:
Arts and Wellness

GIG Fund: Arts and Wellness is for organizations of any budget size whose projects have an arts and wellness focus. This could include programs in clinical settings, creative aging programs, efforts that engage veterans in the arts, and more.

Grants range from $2,000 – $15,000.

Learn More

Several dancers fill a brightly lit studio. Most stand in a squat position, and one sits in a wheelchair, as they hold hands with outstretched arms across the studio.
Photo Credit: Jess Cavender

Resources

In August 2024, 99 organizations across the Midwest received a total of $380,000 through the GIG Fund.

All grantees must review and adhere to the instructions detailed in the Crediting Requirements section of your grant agreement. Please use the NEA and Arts Midwest logo lockups below.

For social media posts related to your grant activities, please use the hashtag #artsmidwest.

Locked Up Logos

Compliances & accessibility

Please read the following important notice about federal policies that govern these grant awards.

Accessibility Tools

Visit our Accessibility Center to access tools that can help ensure your engagements are accessible to people with disabilities.

Final reports are completed in our SmartSimple portal. Here’s a PDF of the questions and information we require.

Final reports will include the following information:

  1. Your organization: Provide some basic information about your organization type and discipline.
  2. Artist information: Provide the name(s) of the artist(s) you presented/partnered with; the number of artists directly involved; activity type, project discipline, and goal of the project.
  3. Final Activity Schedule spreadsheet (upload): Date; location with the location’s address, city, state, zip+4, county; brief description, primary age, format (virtual or in-person) and attendance for each activity.
  4. Population benefiting question #1: By your best estimate, what population (made up 25% or more) by race/ethnicity benefited directly from your activities? American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, White, or No single race/ethnic group made up more than 25% (select one).
  5. Population benefiting question #2: By your best estimate, what population (made up 25% or more) by distinct group benefited directly from your activities? Adults or youths with disabilities; Individuals in institutions (including hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, assisted care facilities, correctional facilities, or homeless shelters); Individuals below the poverty line; Individuals with limited English proficiency; Military veterans or active duty personnel; or No single group made up more than 25% (select one).
  6. Population benefiting question #3: By your best estimate, what population (made up 25% or more) by age benefited directly from your activities? Children/youth; Young adults; Adults; Older Adults; or No single group made up more than 25% (select one).
  7. Engagement narrative #1: Description of the overall impact on your community, the audience, and participants. Provide details of how you reached people with limited access to the performing arts, and how they benefitted from their participation. (4,300 character limit)
  8. Engagement narrative #2: Provide quotes/feedback from at least two participants that demonstrate the value of this engagement. (1,600 character narrative)
  9. Crediting: (upload) You must submit a minimum of two examples of crediting. These can include programs, brochures, press releases, email newsletters, your website, and more.
  10. Images (upload): Submitting images of your engagement is highly recommended, but not required. If you are submitting images, you must fill out and upload the Image Permission & Usage form. Download the Image Permission & Usage form.

*Character count includes spaces.

The GIG Fund panel is a rotating group of individuals with diverse personal and professional experiences related to the arts and creativity. These panelists work with State Arts Agency staff to assess GIG Fund applications and provide input to help guide Arts Midwest’s grantmaking decisions.

Arts Midwest programs are currently under review for compliance with state and federal laws.

The GIG Fund is a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, Indiana Arts Commission, Iowa Arts Council, Michigan Arts and Culture Council, Minnesota State Arts Board, North Dakota Council on the Arts, Ohio Arts Council, South Dakota Arts Council, and Wisconsin Arts Board.

Arts Midwest is also generously supported by 3M and individual donors and partners.

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GIG Fund Stories + Updates

Have questions about the GIG Fund?

We’re happy to answer any questions you have about the GIG Fund. Be sure to check out our FAQs, or shoot us an email.

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