Arts Projects Support Grants

The 2026 Arts Projects Support Grants are administered by the Bloomington Arts Commission (BAC), a local arts agency committed to supporting community-engaged artistic programming within Bloomington, Indiana. The Commission’s funding initiatives seek to enrich the public’s experience and understanding of the arts by providing financial support for meaningful and accessible art projects. The Arts Projects Support (APS) Grants represent one of three annual grant cycles offered by the City of Bloomington and are designed to promote diverse and impactful creative endeavors that take place within the city limits or the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) District. These grants provide financial assistance of up to $4,000 to individual artists, groups, and organizations engaged in public-facing arts projects. While the maximum award amount is set at $4,000, the program emphasizes that most applicants should not expect to receive full funding. Awarded funds are intended to support direct project costs incurred between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Allowable activities might include arts festivals, exhibitions, performances, recordings, literary programs, and other community-based creative initiatives. However, strict guidelines prohibit the use of funds for general operational expenses, alcohol, prizes or giveaways, scholarships, and politically or religiously oriented projects, among other restrictions. The program maintains inclusive eligibility criteria, welcoming applications from individuals, groups, and organizations regardless of their nonprofit status. Students currently enrolled in higher education institutions may also apply, though funds cannot be used to support coursework or assignments connected to their academic programs. All projects must take place within Bloomington or MCCSC schools and must be accessible to the public or school-based audiences. Additionally, proposed projects may be either single events or part of a recurring series. Applicants are evaluated based on two primary criteria: Community Impact & Engagement and Implementation. Reviewers will assess how effectively the project increases public appreciation or engagement with the arts, its accessibility, the inclusion of diverse groups, and collaboration with local organizations. They will also evaluate the clarity of the project’s outcomes, the strength and feasibility of its implementation plan, budget alignment, and whether the applicant has secured or committed additional resources to support the project’s success. The application period for the 2026 cycle opened on March 16, 2026, and will close on April 23, 2026. Award notifications are scheduled for June 8, 2026, with funding disbursement expected by July 31, 2026, pending completion of required contractual steps. All funded projects must be completed within the defined grant period, and recipients are required to submit a final report by July 15, 2027. The report must document the scope and outcomes of the project, including the number of participants, a brief narrative summary, supporting documentation, and a final budget. Technical assistance is available during the application window on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Paige Sharp, Arts Consultant and liaison to the Bloomington Arts Commission, at [email protected] to schedule an appointment with a commissioner. All application materials, including the official budget template and guidelines, are accessible online to assist applicants in preparing their submissions.