The Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs are pleased to announce the 2026 Local Arts Grant Program.
Donor Name: Union County Board of County Commissioners
State: New Jersey
County: Union County (NJ)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 09/24/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
LAP provides funds for arts programs in Union County to further these goals:
- create public recognition of the value of the arts
- strengthen local arts organizations, artistically and administratively
- foster and reward artistic excellence
- increase the availability of quality arts experiences to the general public
- increase accessibility to the arts through compliance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
- broaden, deepen and diversify participation in the arts
- foster collaborations and partnership-building
- promote expanded public and private support of local arts activities
Applicants are encouraged to address any of these Special Areas of Interest:
- highlight the excellence of New Jersey artists and/or contemporary artists
- incorporate diverse programming and artists
- demonstrate effort to reach a diverse audience and/or underserved communities
- present programs that appeal to families
- promote high-quality, lifelong arts education
Artistic Disciplines
- Music
- Dance
- Theatre
- Opera / Musical Theatre
- Visual Art
- Design Arts
- Crafts
- Photography
- Media Arts / Film
- Literature
- Folklife / Traditional Arts
- Multi-disciplinary
- Interdisciplinary
- Presenters
The Local Arts Program is made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Two types of grants are available under this program:
- General Operating Support grants are available to nonprofit arts organizations. The maximum request is $15,000, and the request cannot exceed 40% of the organization’s projected 2026 budget.
- Special Project grants are available to both arts organizations and non-arts organizations (including nonprofits, libraries, and units of local government) to fund a specific arts project, such as a performance series. The maximum request is $5,000. Matching funds are required.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications are accepted from eligible organizations planning to provide the Union County public with a high-quality arts program or arts project.
- Arts organizations may apply for General Operating Support (GOS) or a Special Project grant (SP).
- Non-arts organizations may apply for a Special Project grant (SP) to fund an arts project or series.
- Local Arts Grants will be awarded to non-profit organizations meeting the following requirements:
- Is Union County-based; activities take place in Union County and benefit Union County residents
- Organization is incorporated in the State of New Jersey for a minimum of two years
- Has IRS tax-exempt status in accordance with Sections 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 or pending same
For more information, visit Union County Board of County Commissioners.
