Project Activity Dates
July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 (Grant Period FY2027)
Grant Amount
Up to $20,000 per organization (contingent on funding support from the National Endowment for the Arts)
Application Period
April 1 – May 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time
Match/Cost Share Requirement
No match is required
Who Can Apply?
Applicant organizations must be one of the following:
- 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 that have had their IRS status revoked are not eligible for Oklahoma Arts Council grant support. It is the organization’s responsibility to ensure that its status is current at the time of the application and throughout the life of the award.)
- In good standing with the State of Oklahoma
- Registered with a SAM UEI and eligible to receive federal support (organizations cannot be listed under the SAM Exclusions federal debarred or suspended list)
- Colleges and universities
- Public libraries
What is the Scope of Work?
The Poetry Out Loud program requires broad outreach and promotion of the contest to high schools across Oklahoma, distribution of Poetry Out Loud materials to schools wishing to participate, provision of technical assistance as needed, facilitation of regional and state level recitation competitions, and coordination of winning student’s preparation and travel for the national contest. Within the scope of work, the selected organization will be given, and encouraged to fully leverage, latitude for originality in its implementation and execution of the program. The contest schedule is as follows:
Fall Semester – Outreach and promotion; distribution of materials; regional and state contest planning
February – Oklahoma regional contests (optional)
March – Oklahoma state contest
April – National contest (Washington, D.C.)
For assistance with determining scope of work, contact Jennifer Allen-Barron, Arts Education Director, at jennifer.allen-barron@arts.ok.gov or 405-521-2036.
What Expenses Are Allowable?
Funding from this grant program can be used to reimburse the following expenses:
Artistic personnel: Costs for artists contributing to the creation, presentation, or instruction of project content.
Organization staff payroll (full-time and part-time): Wages paid through payroll (W-2) for artists on staff working on the project (e.g., teaching artists, performers, artistic directors).
Contracted: Fees for independent artists contracted to deliver artistic components of the project (e.g., outside teaching artists, guest performers, composers).
Administrative personnel: Costs for administrative staff providing management, coordination, or support for the project.
Organization staff payroll (full-time and part-time): Payroll wages for admin staff whose work supports the project (e.g., program managers, coordinators, finance staff).
Contracted: Fees for contracted administrative services tied to the project (e.g., consultants, grant writers, support staff).
Marketing and promotion: Costs for printed materials, advertising, social media, graphic design, or publicity efforts tied directly to the project.
Travel: Mileage, lodging, or transportation for students, artists, or staff traveling for the project. Food, drink, and per diem are not allowable.
Outside rental costs: Short-term rental of venues, equipment, or supplies used for the project. Does not include capital improvements or purchases.
Consumable supplies: Project-specific art supplies, materials, or other consumable items used up during the project.
Other expenses: Other allowable project-specific costs not listed above but allowable under the grant terms and conditions. Must be clearly described and occur within the project period. Contact the OAC Grants Office if you have questions or need more information.
Please refer to the Oklahoma Arts Council General Grant Terms and Conditions for cost principles and the complete list of general allowable and unallowable costs.
