FY25 Arts Build Communities Grants Now Open

Rose Center & Council for the Arts is seeking fy2025 Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant proposals for
art 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 Monday, April 22, 1:00-3:00 pm at Rose Center. To register, please email
director@rosecenter.org. The ABC grant application deadline is July 1, 2024.

The Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant program is designed to provide 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:

• Provide innovative arts experiences that are new or unfamiliar to community residents
• Offer arts programs that are designed to help affect positive change in community social issues
• Develop arts programming that strengthens social networks through community engagement
• Undertake cultural arts initiatives that enhance a community’s identity and/or economic development
• Offer training that helps experienced or emerging artists/arts administrators develop entrepreneurial skills or
innovative strategies for building sustainability

The proposed project must take place and grants funds must be used between August 16, 2024 and
June 15, 2025. Funds awarded to a single organization in this category range from $500-$5000. For
fy2025 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, 2024 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. Activities that are credit-producing or are oriented primarily to
collegiate students and the academic community are not eligible. Full guidelines are available at
tnartscommission.org.

Rose Center is one of 13 Designated Agencies that administer the ABC program statewide on behalf of
the Tennessee Arts Commission. Designated agencies are trained to assist ABC applicants with the
application process. Prior to submitting an application, qualifying organizations should discuss the
program or project proposal with their designated agency or the TAC. Questions may be directed to
Beccy Hamm, director@rosecenter.org or Melissa.moody@tn.gov.