AIE  Arts for Lifelong Learning Mini-Grants

The AIE Arts for Lifelong Learning Mini-Grants program, managed by the Arkansas Arts Council, provides funding to support quality arts experiences for adults of all abilities. Grants of up to $2,000 are available for short-term residencies with professional artists, emphasizing hands-on activities in community organizations. Eligible nonprofits include those serving elders and individuals with disabilities, while funding cannot be used for start-up costs or entertainment expenses, ensuring a focus on meaningful arts engagement.

Division of Arkansas Heritage
Originally known as the "Department of Arkansas Natural and Cultural Heritage," the legislation grouped together several culturally oriented divisions under one department. The agency name change to the Division of Arkansas Heritage occurred in 1985. Today, DAH consists of eight divisions and a director’s office which manages general administrative and marketing operations.
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. 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 its goals of preserving and enhancing the heritage of the state of Arkansas.
Arts In Education Grants
The Arts in Education program initiates new arts programs, or enhances existing ones, in schools and local arts agencies by providing direct interaction with professional artists in residencies for pre K–12 students.
Arts for Lifelong Learning Mini-Grants Program
The Arts for Lifelong Learning Mini-Grants program enriches the lives of adults of all experience levels and abilities through quality arts learning experiences. This program provides funding for eligible institutions that wish to host a short-term (up to 10 days) residency program with professional artists who are listed on the Arts in Education Artist Roster. Programs should have hands-on arts activities for adult populations in community-based or governmental organizations and institutions. An in-service workshop may also be included in the mini-residency program. Grants are available up to $2,000 and must have a 1:1 match with 50 percent being a cash match. Up to 50 percent of the match can be in kind.

Eligibility

Eligible nonprofit applicants can include facilities and /or organizations for elders, hospitals, counseling or rehabilitation centers, social service agencies, prisons or detention centers, or organizations that provide facilities and/or guidance for disabled adults. Institutions of higher education, as well as museums, libraries, and community centers that offer educational programming for adult populations, are also eligible.

Ineligibility

Funding for organizations is not available 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 aidFaculty salaries, and additionally, staff salaries in Arts in Education grantsLobbying expensesInterest and other financial costs