Arts Fund for East Tennessee

The Arts Fund for East Tennessee was established in 1985 to serve as a source of funds in support of excellence in the arts, expand access to the arts, and connect artists with each other and with East Tennessee communities.

The Arts Fund grants program awards two-year grants to support specific projects (exhibits, festivals, performances, art therapy or rehabilitation, or other specific arts events) in the following three categories:  Arts Organizations, Community Cultural Projects and Arts in Education.

Successful applicants will propose innovative projects or programs that demonstrate: artistic merit; experience and expertise of artistic and other personnel in the project; potential benefit to the community or constituency served; capacity to advance an aspect of the arts and bring it to a wide audience; and/or managerial and fiscal ability to carry out the project.

Examples of possible projects include cultural events and festivals, concerts series and theatre productions, artistic workshops and classes, arts camps for children with disabilities, and young authors conferences.

Arts Fund grants in all categories must be matched on a 1:1 cash basis by the grantee. In-kind contributions may not be used to meet the matching requirements.

The required minimum number of years of 501(c)(3) tax exemption varies depending upon the grant category. (Please refer to each grant category's eligibility requirements in the Request for Proposals.)

Grant info:

• Two-year grants
• Grants will be made on a 1:1 matching basis
• Grant opportunities are available to nonprofit organizations in the Foundation's 25-county service area 
• Grants generally range from $3,000 to $12,000
• Grants will support projects between May 1, 2011 - May 1, 2013

 2011 Arts Fund for East Tennessee RFP (Click here for guidelines and application)

Technical Assistance Workshops
Two workshops will be offered in fall 2010 to help applicants better understand the process of applying for Arts Fund grants. The workshops will be on Friday, October 1st at the Community Law Office (1101 Liberty Street, Knoxville) and Tuesday, October 5th at Johnson City Public Library (100 West Millard Street, Johnson City). Both workshops are scheduled from 10:30 A.M. - Noon. We strongly recommend that a representative from your organization attend the workshop, since information gained at the workshop will help your organization succeed in submitting a successful proposal.

For further information, please contact Jan Elston (865) 524-1223, toll-free at 877-524-1223 or by e-mail at jelston@etf.org.

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