Arts Idaho Entry Track Grant

The Arts Idaho Entry Track Grant, offered by the Idaho Commission on the Arts, supports public arts programs by nonprofit organizations and local governments in Idaho. This grant aims to enhance artistic excellence, broaden community access, and promote diversity in the arts. Eligible entities must have a minimum three-year program history and demonstrate a commitment to compensating professional artists. Projects that enhance community engagement and reflect Idaho’s diverse culture are prioritized. Grant recipients may later apply for additional funding.

This annual grant opportunity supports public programs in the arts delivered by Idaho’s arts organizations. Grant amounts are based on a formula that considers the panel review assessment, fiscal size of the organization, and past Commission funding. Nonprofit organizations which successfully complete Entry Track review may be invited to apply for Public Programs in the Arts funding.
Program Goals
Support artistic excellence as demonstrated by the organization’s mission and potential to: meet the highest standards of excellence in the creation of art, engage the public, provide opportunities for participants to acquire knowledge or skills in the arts, and/or strengthen communities through the arts.Encourage community access to the arts through the expansion and diversification of participants and audiences. Increase efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion by ensuring that funded activities are reflective of Idaho’s people, cultures and traditions.Strengthen best practices for management including planning, budgeting, evaluating outcomes, documenting activities and diversifying income sources.Prepare organizations for transition to Public Programs in the Arts.

Eligibility

Eligibility and RestrictionsApplicant must be a nonprofit, IRS tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization or applying through a fiscal agent; or be a unit of local, county, tribal, or state government, including schools and schoolNonprofit organizations must have a valid 501(c)(3)Determination Letter with an effective date at least three years prior to the grant application deadline date.Applicant must have a minimum of a three-year program history as of the application deadline date.Applicant must compensate professional artists and administrators.The organization’s primary purpose must be the production, presentation, or support of the arts.University applicants are eligible for one Entry Track grant application per year, if the institution does not already receive a Public Programs in the Arts grant.Applicant must have submitted all final reports for past Commission grants.Applicant must have a minimum of a three-year program history as of the application deadline date.Applicant must compensate professional artists and administrators.

Ineligibility

Establishment of or contributions to an endowment;Fundraising projects that do not raise funds for the arts;Prizes, scholarships, or free tickets;Projects or programs to generate or attract audiences;Offsetting of debt, payment of fines, penalties, or legal fees;Activities that are primarily promotional or created for mass distribution, such as duplication of CDs, creation of portfolios, private gallery announcements, self-published books, brochures, or websites;Student exhibitions, anthologies, publications, or performances, unless those activities document an arts education grant;Costs associated with any degree or professional certification, such as tuition, fees, and teaching materials;Projects or activities already completed or beginning before the eligible start date or documentation of previously completed projects;Documentation of projects except for arts education activities;Projects primarily recreational, vocational, or religious;Activities restricted to an organization’s membership;Costs for consecutive attendance at annual activities that are routinely within an arts organization’s budget including, but not limited to, conferences of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, Americans for the Arts, American Folklore Society, or the Western Arts Alliance;Pageants, festivals, or celebrations unrelated to arts, ethnic, or cultural activities;Journalism;Historical or academic documentary film and electronic media arts that do NOT demonstrate significant artistic emphasis, consideration, and distinction;Scholarly or academic works in history, languages, archeology, and political science;Lobbying expenses or political activities;Hospitality expenses such as food and drink, alcohol, flowers, etc. Any such expenses included in a project approved for funding must be paid with applicant funds;Capital expenses for an individual; orWriting intended for youth.