Art Grants in Tennessee

Tennessee Arts Commission

The Tennessee Arts Commission provides numerous matching grants to non-profit arts organizations, schools and individuals. Each grant dollar must be matched with a private sector dollar. Arts organizations can apply for such programs as Arts Access, which targets organizations that provide programming to minority communities. The Arts Education program supports programs in secondary schools, after-school programs and community centers. Individual artists can benefit from the Artist-in-Residence program of Arts Education and also apply for an Individual Artist Fellowship from the commission. Arts administrators can apply for a professional development grant to help them acquire training to help their career development. Grant amounts vary depending on programs and projects. Applications are available online.

Based in Nashville, the Frist Foundation provides grant support to dozens of arts organizations.

While most of its efforts are focused on supporting visual arts at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, it gives dozens of grants to organizations in middle Tennessee to support arts programs and other related activities like restoring theaters and incorporating technology into arts programs. Most grants are between $3,000 and $20,000. Grant consideration begins when an arts organization has a conversation with the foundation. Frist staffers decide whether or not their grant program is a good match and if a grant application will be offered to the organization.

The small city of Collierville near Memphis supports the arts in its community through its community fund. One of the main objectives of the Collierville Community Fund is to celebrate diversity in the community and improve the quality of life of residents in several areas including the arts. Arts organizations are among the many groups that receive grants from the fund. Local arts groups such as the Mulberry Festival, Youth Villages and the Collierville Arts League have received grants from the fund. Organizations based in Shelby County and Memphis that provide services to Collierville residents can also apply for grants. In 2009 the organization awarded six $10,000 grants. Applications are available online.

Established in the 1950s, the Benwood Foundation underwrites a wide range of charitable activities in the Chattanooga area including non-profit arts programs. Its Community Grant supports the work of arts organizations including organizations such as the Mid-South Sculpture Alliance, the RiverRocks Festival and after school enrichment programs for children. In 2009 the organization awarded nearly 30 grants totaling over $2 million. The organization does not fund individuals but gives special consideration to organizations involved in cultural projects that expose art to the community. The grant application is available online.

Non-profit arts organizations in the 25-county area of East Tennessee can apply for grants from the Arts Fund for East Tennessee. The organization's mission is to fund projects that expand access to the arts, connect artists in East Tennessee and support excellence in the arts. The organization awards funds in three categories: arts in education, community cultural projects and arts organizations. The two-year matching grants range from $3,000 to $12,000. Organizations can download a workshop presentation to learn more about the application process. Applications are available online.