Community Arts Experience Grants

Project Activity Dates 
August 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 (Grant Period FY2027)

Grant Amount 
Up to two $5,000 grants per fiscal year. Organizations may apply for two Community Arts Experience Grants, or they may apply for one Community Arts Experience Grant and one Community Arts Learning Grant. Match requirement: 1:1 (100%). Half of the match (50%) may be in-kind support. Matching funds may not be federal funds or other Oklahoma Arts Council funds. Award amounts are determined using the grant program scoring criteria and agency priorities.

Application Deadlines
60 days before your project begins

Grantee Requirements
If selected for funding, grantee organizations must comply with all requirements as outlined in the Legal Assurances/General Grant Terms, grant contract, and grant program guidelines, including but not limited to the following:

• Signed electronic grant contract by the deadline specified in the award notification email 
• Updated contact, mailing, and payment/banking information with the Oklahoma Arts Council and Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) supplier portal
• Thank you letters to your organization’s legislators 
• Use of Oklahoma Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts logos and acknowledgement of support 
• Timely submission of a final report

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations incorporated in the State of Oklahoma as a Domestic Not for Profit Corporation
  • In good standing with the IRS (Organizations who have had their IRS status revoked are not eligible for Oklahoma Arts Council grant support. It is your responsibility to ensure that your status is current at the time of the application and throughout the life of your award.)
  • In good standing with the State of Oklahoma
  • Registered with a SAM UEI number and eligible to receive federal support (organizations cannot be listed under the SAM Exclusions federal debarred or suspended list)
• City, county, and federally-recognized tribal governments
• Colleges and universities 
• Public libraries

Arts-focused community and audience-based programs, including but not limited to:

• Performing arts events such as concerts, recitals, etc.
• Visual art exhibitions
• Multi-disciplinary events such as festivals

If your project is focused on providing arts learning and skill building opportunities, please see the Community Arts Learning Grant program.

Allowable Expenses:
Funding from the grant program can be used to reimburse the following expenses: 

• Artistic fees for contracted artists
• Administrative fees to support the programming or administration of the project such as payment to a coordinator or grant writer
• Technical fees to support the implementation of the project such as professional event services
• Artist travel expenses such as mileage, rental, airfare, rideshare, etc.
• Consumable supplies directly related to the project (excluding food)
• Marketing expenses to promote access to the project
• Rental fees such as rental of facilities, equipment, etc.
• Other expenses such as printed programs, temporary signage, licensing and/or royalty fees, etc.

Unallowable expenses include tickets, tuition, scholarships, capital expenditures and/or building improvements, permanent art installations, activities for which college credit is given, loss of revenue, debt repayment, subgranting, duties or expenses related to fundraising and/or lobbying, activities or expenses that may advance or inhibit any religious belief, events that are not open to the public, cash prizes or awards, and hospitality expenses (i.e., food, drink, receptions, parties, galas).

Step 1: Your organization must be verified in the Oklahoma Arts Council grant portal before applying for this grant opportunity. If your organization is new to the Oklahoma Arts Council Fluxx grant system, you must create a new account and complete the eligibility verification process (which may take up to 15 days to review and process). If you have questions, contact our grants office at grants@arts.ok.gov or 405-521-2040.

Step 2: Once your organization is verified, you can start an application from the Apply for Funding page. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on the application deadline date published on the grant program guidelines. If an application deadline falls on a weekend or state holiday, the application will be due by 5:00 p.m. on the next business day. Late submissions are subject to the noncompliance policies as outlined in the General Grant Terms and Conditions.

Grant Process

1. Request access to the grant portal
2. Submit an application (after organization is verified)
3. Application gets reviewed by Oklahoma Arts Council
4. Award notification is sent (if project is selected for funding)
5. Grantee's Authorizing Official accepts grant contract
6. Project activity occurs
7. Grantee submits final report 
8. Grant payment is processed 

Q. What types of artistic disciplines can be supported?
A. The Oklahoma Arts Council uses artistic quality as one of its review criteria for grants. Artistic disciplines include, but are not limited to, music, theatre, dance, literary arts, media arts, and visual arts. If you have questions about the eligibility of your project, please contact one of our team members (contact information listed below).

Q. Can these grant funds support a memorial sculpture, mural, or other permanent artwork?
A. Unfortunately, no. Oklahoma Arts Council’s grants for organizations cannot be used to support capital improvements/expenses including the creation of new permanent artwork or the improvement of buildings/properties.

Q. My organization is already receiving funding through Oklahoma Arts Council’s other grant program(s). Can I apply for this opportunity?
A. Please contact one of our team members to see if your organization is eligible to apply for this grant opportunity. If your organization is selected to receive a grant, you will need to provide a 100% (1:1) match for the award. None of the match may come from another Oklahoma Arts Council grant award or federal grant award.

Q. Can we purchase a sound system, instruments, or electronic devices with this grant?
A. No, this grant cannot be used to purchase permanent equipment. However, this grant can be used to support equipment rental expenses.

Q. How do I find a performing artist for my project?
A. You can find artists on our Oklahoma Performing Artist Roster, however you are not required to use artists on this roster for your grant.

Q. How can I update my organization’s Grant Administrator or Authorizing Official? 
A. Contact the Grants Office at grants@arts.ok.gov.

Q. How do I find out if my organization has access to the grants portal to apply for a grant?
A. Contact Martyna Sandoval, Grants and Programs Associate, at martyna.sandoval@arts.ok.gov.