Rose Center Announces FY26

 Arts Build Communities Grant

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FY26 Arts Build Communities (ABC) Grants Now Open

Rose Center & Council for the Arts is now accepting applications for the fy2026 Arts Build Communities

(ABC) grant program! This is your chance to get funding for projects that bring the arts to our community.

 

ABC grants provide support for arts projects from any qualifying nonprofit 501c3, educational

institutions, or civic entities located within the following five East Tennessee counties: Claiborne, Cocke,

Grainger, Hamblen, and Jefferson. A free workshop will be held Tuesday, April 22, 3:00 pm at Rose

Center. To register, please email director@rosecenter.org. The ABC grant application deadline is July 1, 2025.

 

The Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant program provides support for arts projects that broaden access

to arts experiences, address community quality of life issues through the arts, or enhance the

sustainability of asset-based cultural enterprises. Examples include:

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• Concerts & Performances by professional artists

• Festivals

• Exhibitions

• Public Art & Creative Placemaking projects

•  Training for artists and arts administrators

 

The project must take place and grants funds must be spent between August 16, 2025 and June 15,

2026. Funds awarded range from $500-$5000. For fy2026 these will be non-matching grants. Funding

for these grants comes from the Tennessee Arts Commission through the sale of Tennessee Specialty License Plates.

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Applications must be submitted online through the Tennessee Arts Commission’s eGrant system by

11:59 PM (CT) on July 1, 2025 https://tnartscommission.org/art-grants/apply-for-a-grant/. Pre-

registration is required. In order to facilitate the process, the Tennessee Arts Commission has posted an

online workshop for potential applicants. The workshop materials and all instructions may be accessed

via their website: https://tnartscommission.org/abc-tutorials/.

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These grants are open to organizations for arts activities if they meet all applicable requirements

described in the guidelines. Individuals and organizations awarded Major Cultural Institution or

Partnership Support funding are not eligible to apply for ABC funding. Colleges and universities are

eligible only for activities that clearly serve the needs of surrounding communities or the State and are

designed to involve a broad audience. Full guidelines are available at www.tnartscommission.org.

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Rose Center is one of thirteen Designated Agencies that administer the ABC program statewide on

behalf of the Tennessee Arts Commission. Designated Agency staff are trained to assist ABC applicants

with the application process. Before applying, organizations should discuss the program or project

proposal with their Designated Agency representative or the TAC. Questions may be directed to Beccy

Hamm, director@rosecenter.org or Melissa.moody@tn.gov.