The Arts programming for underserved populations based on a specific, timely theme that changes with every grant.
Donor Name: Kentucky Arts Council
State: Kentucky
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/12/2026
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Grant proposals for fiscal year 2026 should incorporate arts-based strategies to enhance the overall health and well-being of individuals and communities.
Goals
- Extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations
- Use the arts to enrich lives
- Promote lifelong learning in the arts
- Increase participation in the arts.
Thematic Goals
Specific theme goals include, but are not limited to:
- Promoting mental health
- Encouraging a sense of belonging
- Responding to specific public health issue(s)
- Fostering resilience
- Serving those in recovery from natural disasters
- Serving those in recovery from trauma
- Benefiting those in recovery from addiction
- Encouraging social connectedness
- Combating loneliness and isolation
- Increasing community engagement
- Encouraging physical activity
- Mitigating health risks
- Promoting health equity and addressing health disparities
- Promote and provide access
- Benefiting those in healthcare settings, including healthcare workers, caregivers and patients, and their families.
Funding Information
Organizations may request either $2,500 or $5,000.
Grant Period
- Grant Period begins: April 1, 2026
- Grant Period ends: Sept. 1, 2026
Eligible Expenses
Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:
- Artists’ services and fees: Per the Kentucky Arts Council’s core values, artists’ services should represent the majority cost for competitive budgets.
- Other professional fees and services: Funds may be used for graphic and web design, sound and lighting for performances, and compensation for other project- specific personnel not already employed by the applicant (i.e., see restrictions regarding indirect costs).
- Materials and Supplies: These are items, unlike equipment, will be exhausted during the grant period. Although books may not be bought for library holdings, they may be purchased to give to participants.
- Facilities and Space Rentals: Grant funds mat used to rent space not currently owned or rented under a long-term lease by the applicant.
- Travel: Funds may be used to rent transportation for objects or participants or to pay mileage reimbursement to artists or participants.
- Communication, Marketing, and Promotion: Funds may be used to pay for advertising, printing marketing materials, or other means of communication
- Publication: Funds may be used to publish or print in any media, as long as the product is not solely for commercial purposes.
- Accessibility: Funds may be used to pay American Sign Language interpreters, large print publication, adaptive tools or any service or supply (not equipment) that increases the accessibility of the physical space or program for participants.
Eligibility Criteria
The Arts Access Assistance Program is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofits that are:
- Arts and cultural organizations
- Organizations working with professional artists or partnering with arts and cultural organizations
- Proof of Eligibility
- Organizations must currently have, and maintain during the grant cycle, 501(c)(3) IRS tax-exempt status (or equivalent). Provide one of the following acceptable proofs of tax-exempt status. The name on the document must match the organization’s legal name provided on the application and must remain valid through the entire grant period:
- IRS Determination Letter (or equivalent) that includes date of determination and FEIN.
- Most recent IRS Form 990 cover page that includes FEIN and the legal name provided on the application.
For more information, visit Kentucky Arts Council.
