Folklife grants are available to organizations for project support and operating support. Eligible organizations include those legally chartered in Tennessee that are either: 1.) recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization, or 2.) a public or private educational institution, a school board, a governmental agency, or a college or university.
Any question of eligibility should be directed to Folklife Program staff before an application is submitted. First time applicants MUST contact Program Staff to discuss the proposed project prior to application submission. Visit our eligibility page for more detailed information.
Project Support is available for folklife projects in urban (APS) and rural (RAPS) counties. Funds awarded to a single organization in APS range from $500 to $9,000. Arts organizations serving a statewide audience may apply for up to $10,000. Funds awarded to a single organization in RAPS range from $500 to $15,000.
Visit our eligibility page for more information on the definitions of arts and non-arts organizations. See the APS/RAPS grant guidelines for complete application information and for definitions of rural and urban counties.
Operating Support grants provide unrestricted operating support for ongoing folklife-related programmatic activities to arts organizations that meet guideline requirements and have a prior funding history with the Tennessee Arts Commission. Operating support in the folklife includes Partnership Support and Major Cultural Institution support.
Partnership Support provides operating support for qualified arts organizations chartered in Tennessee. Organizations may request 12 percent of their total cash operating expenses in their most recently completed fiscal year at the time they submit their application, up to but not exceeding the maximum grant of $40,000. See the Partnership Support grant guidelines for complete application information.
The Major Cultural Institution (MCI) category provides operating support to well-established arts organizations chartered in Tennessee that represent the highest level of quality programming and administration. Organizations may request 10 percent of their total cash operating expenses in their most recently completed fiscal year at the time they submit their application, up to but not exceeding the maximum grant of $100,000. Applicants must have an annual cash operating income (excluding in-kind contributions) of at least $1 million per year. See the MCI grant guidelines for complete application information.
In specific cases, Folklife projects and activities might be eligible in the additional grant categories listed in the menu on the right. Follow the links to learn more about requirements and eligibility, and contact appropriate program staff with questions.
