Nonprofit organizations with an arts-based mission in Shelby County, Tennessee, DeSoto or Tate County, Mississippi 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.
If you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact Tracy Lauritzen Wright, Director of Grants & Initiatives (901-578-2787, [email protected]) before beginning work on an application.
ArtsFirst grants may be used to support the following activities:
- 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 FY20 grant application will open in fall 2019.
The FY19 ArtsFirst Application is now closed.
Grant awards will be announced by March 30, 2019. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Applicants who are approved for funding will receive payment in full no later than April 30, 2019.
- 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 Tracy Lauritzen Wright (901-578-2787, [email protected])
You are encouraged to contact Tracy Lauritzen Wright ([email protected]) or Colleen McCartney ([email protected]) at ArtsMemphis (901-578-2787) in advance of the deadline with any questions or to seek guidance. A list of Frequent Asked Questions will be available and updated regularly up to November 26, 2018.
You may submit questions about this grant in writing to Tracy Lauritzen Wright at [email protected].
Please click here to view the FAQ document
Questions received by November 28, 2018 will be answered and included in the FAQ document.