Rose Center Announces FY27

 Arts Build Communities Grant

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FY27 Arts Build Communities (ABC) Grants Now Open

Rose Center & Council for the Arts is now accepting applications for the fy2027 Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant program! This is your chance to get funding for projects that bring the arts to your community.

ABC grants provide support for arts projects from any qualifying nonprofit 501c3, educational institutions, or civic entities. Rose Center administers grants for organizations located within the following five East Tennessee counties: Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, and Jefferson. A free workshop will be held Monday, April 2, 3:00 pm at Rose Center. To register, please email director@rosecenter.org. The ABC grant application deadline is July 1, 2026.

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:

• 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, 2026 and June 15, 2027. Funds awarded range from $500-$5000. For fy2027 these will be non-matching grants. Funding for these grants comes from the Tennessee Arts Commission through the sale of Tennessee Specialty License Plates. 

Applications must be submitted online through the Tennessee Arts Commission’s eGrant system by 11:59 PM (CT) on July 1, 2026  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/. 

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. 

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, Melissa.moody@tn.gov.