UCDD Officials encouraging local non-profits and governments to apply for Arts Build Communities grants to fund cultural projects across the 14-county region.
Community Development Planner Jessica Duke said the funding opportunity is offered through the Tennessee Arts Commission to support arts and cultural projects throughout the state. Duke said grants of up to $5,000 available with no local match required for applicants.
“In rural areas especially, arts programs can strengthen community identity, it can encourage civic engagement and provide educational opportunities for people of all ages really,” Duke said.
Duke said the grant program is flexible and can fund a wide variety of initiatives including concerts, festivals, community theater productions, and art exhibits. Duke said other eligible projects include mural projects, cultural heritage programs, arts education workshops, and artist residencies.
“These projects help bring people together and provide creative opportunities for local artists and provide cultural experiences that may not otherwise be available in many of our more rural communities,” Duke said.
Duke said the investment in arts and culture plays a major role in the quality of life for residents in rural areas. Duke said these programs help create vibrant communities, attract visitors, and support local businesses while encouraging civic engagement.
“Some creative ideas might include a community storytelling project, a downtown public art initiative, an outdoor concert series, we’ve got a couple that do youth art camps, or programs that celebrate local history and culture through the arts,” Duke said.
Duke said the grant encourages organizations to think beyond their existing audiences to engage the broader community through free performances or interactive workshops. Duke said many organizations use the initial grant as a starting point to build partnerships and establish programs that continue long after the grant period ends.
“The strongest applications clearly explain who will benefit from the project, how the community will be involved, and what lasting value and project will create,” Duke said. “Applicants should also start early, read the guidelines carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.”
Duke said the application process is conducted through the Tennessee Arts Commission website using a GMS platform called Flux. Duke said the application requires a project narrative and a budget, along with certain independent documents that must be uploaded to the system.
“I’ll walk you through any requirements, application documents, process for eligibility, and my contact information would be on there,” Duke said. “So you can call me directly or email me directly, and I’ll be able to kind of give you that one-on-one Q&A that you might have missed during the workshop.”
