Tennessee Arts Commission
Arts Education Project Support (FY2028)
A state arts grant of up to $25,000 for hands-on arts education led by a professional artist, for projects from July 2027 to June 2028. Nonprofits whose main mission is education can apply by January 8, 2027.
- Amount
- Up to $12,000, $18,000 or $25,000, by project tier
- Can a for-profit school apply?
- No: for-profit schools excluded
- Deadline
- Jan 8, 2027 (72 days left)
- Who this fits
- Private school · Microschool · Homeschool co‑opOpen to 501(c)(3) nonprofits whose main mission is arts or education. The Commission's general rules name nonprofit private schools as eligible organizations. Confirm the category with the Commission first. Not for a for-profit school.Religious schools: yes, not for religious activities
- New schools
- Not stated for new schools
- Where
- Tennessee only
- Last checked
- Oct 28, 2026on tnartscommission.org
Unconfirmed: check with the funder
We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.
- Whether a nonprofit private school counts as a nonprofit with a primary mission of education (ask the Commission)
- Whether a match is required (the page does not say; the Commission's rules say most arts education categories are exempt from the 1:1 match)
- Whether a school in its first years counts as a new organization (the rules bar seed money for starting new organizations)
- How the open-to-the-public rule applies to an in-school project at a private school (ask the Commission)
How to apply
- Step 1: Email Chris Sweatt (chris.sweatt@tn.gov, 615-253-8914) to confirm your school or co-op is eligible
- Step 2: Get a Unique Entity ID (UEI) if you don't have one
- Step 3: Register for the Commission's Online Grants System early
- Step 4: Pick one project and the tier that fits it
- Step 5: Gather bylaws, board list, Secretary of State annual report and proof of arts advocacy
- Step 6: Submit by January 8, 2027, 11:59 p.m. Central
Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.
Who can apply
“501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a primary mission of arts and/or education”
The program lists 501(c)(3) arts or education nonprofits, local government, public K-12 schools, libraries and colleges. The Commission's general rules say a private school (elementary or secondary) can be an eligible organization if it is not-for-profit and tax-exempt. First-time applicants are told to contact Chris Sweatt to confirm eligibility. Projects must be hands-on arts learning led by a professional artist or instructor, with measurable goals, and run July 1, 2027 to June 15, 2028. Not funded: an artist standing in as the arts teacher where the school has no ongoing arts program, permanent equipment (instruments, cameras, easels), field trips, food, and seed money for new organizations. Tier 3 ($25,000, year-round) is meant for groups with a track record. A Unique Entity ID (UEI) is required. Funds can't support religious content. The Commission's rules also say all events paid for in part or whole with its funds must be open to the general public.
- 501(c)(3) with a primary mission of arts or education (or another listed applicant type)
- Unique Entity ID (UEI)
- Hands-on arts learning led by a professional artist or instructor
- One project per application, with measurable goals
- Project runs July 1, 2027 to June 15, 2028
- Upload bylaws, board list and Tennessee Secretary of State annual report
- Proof of arts advocacy
- Not for an artist replacing a missing arts teacher, permanent equipment, field trips or food
Timing
Application opened October 2026 and is open now; due Friday, January 8, 2027 by 11:59 p.m. Central, through the Commission's Online Grants System. Projects run July 1, 2027 to June 15, 2028.