Nonprofit organizations with an arts-based mission in Shelby County, Tennessee with a minimum three-year history of presenting quality arts projects are eligible to apply. Organizations must have an active and supportive Board of Directors and be organized as a 501(c)3.

• If your mission does not solely address art, you are not eligible to apply.  Your organizational mission must be focused on an arts discipline only in order to be eligible.

Submission of an application does not guarantee funding.  Prior ArtsFirst grant recipients are considered annually, funding is not guaranteed year over year, except if your organization is awarded a mulit-year grant commitment (typically for capital projects).

If you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact Colleen McCartney, Grants & Initiatives Manager at 901-578-2787, [email protected] before beginning work on an application.

ArtsFirst grants may be used to support the following activities between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022:

• General Operating Support
• Capital Campaign Support
• Project Support
• Sponsorship
• Scholarship
• Other

ArtsFirst Grants may not be used to support:

• Individuals
• Trips and Tours
• Charities sponsored solely by a single civic organization
• Charities that redistribute funds to other charitable organizations, except in the case of recognized united fund-type organizations
• K-12 Schools and solely religious, social or fraternal organizations
• Political organizations or those having the primary purpose of influencing legislation or promoting a particular ideological point of view
• Operating budget deficits

The application is now open. 

Click here to download a PDF copy of the application for reference. 

Click here to be taken to the online application. 

• Each applicant organization must complete an ArtsFirst application via the online grant platform by 5:00 p.m. on December 31, 2020.
  • Board list using template provided.
  • IRS 501c3 determination letter
  • IRS form 990 for most recently completed fiscal year.  If your organization does not file Form 990, please inform Colleen McCartney when submitting the other attachments.
• Grant awards will be announced by March 31, 2021.  Submission of an application does not guarantee funding.  Applicants who are approved for funding will receive payment in full no later than April 30, 2021.

Please click here to download the Board Template. 

PLEASE NOTE:  ArtsMemphis requires organizations that work with anyone under age 18 to have a board-approved Child Protection Policy in place before funding will be provided.  If you are approved for funding and you work with people under age 18 but do not have a policy in place, payment will be delayed until your organization’s board approves a policy.  If you have questions, please contact Colleen McCartney, Grants and Initiatives Manager, at [email protected] (901) 578-2787.

You may submit questions about this grant in writing to Colleen McCartney at [email protected].