AAC General Operating Support Grant

The AAC General Operating Support Grant, offered by the Arkansas Arts Council, aims to assist established nonprofit organizations in the arts sector with funding for administrative and operational costs. Eligible applicants include local arts agencies and single-discipline organizations with total incomes exceeding $50,000. The grant supports non-programmatic expenses, requiring a matching contribution and a part-time paid executive director. This funding is crucial for fostering a vibrant arts community in Arkansas.

Arkansas Arts Council
The Arkansas Arts Council advances and empowers the arts by providing services and funding for programming that encourages and assists literary, performing and visual artists in achieving standards of professional excellence. The Arkansas Arts Council also provides technical and financial assistance to Arkansas arts organizations and other providers of cultural and educational programs. This statewide programming and assistance ultimately provides cultural, educational and economic opportunities for the benefit of all Arkansans.
In 1971, Act 359 (A.C.A. § 13-8-101 et seq.) gave independent agency status to the Arts Council, with an executive director and a 17-member council appointed by the governor. In 1975, the Arts Council became an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, now the Division of Arkansas Heritage.
The Arkansas Arts Council is an agency of Arkansas Heritage and shares the goals of all big Division of Arkansas Heritage agencies, that of preserving and enhancing the heritage of the state of Arkansas. Funding for the Arkansas Arts Council and its programs is provided by the State of Arkansas and the National Endowment for the Arts.
General Operating Support Grants
These grants are designed to help fund administrative and operational costs for established nonprofit organizations with programs involving the arts. The program is for local arts agencies or single discipline arts organizations with total incomes between $50,000 and over. GOS funding may only be spent for non-programmatic, administrative expenses, including, but are not limited to, administrative staff salaries, general marketing and fundraising costs, facility rental, utilities, maintenance of the facility and staff travel.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include local arts agencies or single discipline arts organizations with total incomes between $50,000 and overGeneral Operating Support funding may only be spent for non-programmatic, administrative expenses, including, but not limited to:administrative staff salaries, general marketing and fundraising costs, facility rental, utilities, maintenance of the facility,staff travel. The requested amount for these grants must be between 7 and 12 percent of the total income from the organization’s last adjusted operating income based on budget size. The grant requires some matching funds. Eligible applicants must also have at least a part-time paid executive director responsible for ongoing operations with a salary indicated in administrative expenses.

Ineligibility

Funds may not be used for:Deficits or start-up costs for new organizationsContingency fundsContributions and donations to other organizations or individualsBuilding renovations or capital expenditures for facilitiesEntertainment expenses, including busses for field trips, tickets to performances, or refreshmentsTuition for academic study or any form of scholarship or student financial aidFaulty salaries, and additionally, staff salaries in Arts in Education grantsLobbying expensesInterest and other financial costs