Arts Organizations: Arts Stabilization Grants

The Arts Stabilization Grants, offered by the Delaware Division of the Arts, support nonprofit organizations focused on the arts. These grants aim to fund maintenance, repairs, and renovations of facilities owned or leased by the organizations. Priority is given to projects that address structural deficiencies and enhance safety. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit arts organizations not affiliated with ArtCo. This initiative is critical for sustaining the arts in Delaware and ensuring accessible cultural experiences.

NOTE: Applicants for Arts Stabilization should contact the Division prior to beginning the application process in order to verify the eligibility of their organization and the project.
Delaware Division of the Arts
The Delaware Division of the Arts offers a variety of grant programs for individual artists; nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations chartered and based in Delaware; and schools and government entities that support arts activities.
Arts Organization Grants
These grants are made to non-profit Delaware organizations whose primary mission is the promotion, production, presentation, or teaching of the arts.
Support for improvements to facilities owned (or under long-term lease) and operated by the organization. ASF grants are funded through the Division’s participation in the Arts Consortium of Delaware, Inc. (ArtCo) endowment.
The Delaware Division of the Arts has established the following goals, in accordance with the ArtCo bylaws, for Arts Stabilization grants:
Provide funding for needed maintenance, repairs, or renovations of existing facilities owned and operated by the nonprofit arts organization.Provide funding for the repair, upgrade, or replacement of facility-related equipment (i.e., HVAC, electrical, seating, flooring, display, storage, etc).
Goals
The Delaware Division of the Arts has established the following goals, in accordance with the ArtCo bylaws, for Arts Stabilization grants:
Provide funding for needed maintenance, repairs, or renovations of existing facilities owned and operated by the nonprofit arts organization.Provide funding for the repair, upgrade, or replacement of facility-related equipment (i.e., HVAC, electrical, seating, flooring, display, storage, etc).
Evaluation Criteria and Considerations
The following criteria are utilized by citizen panels to evaluate each Arts Stabilization application.
Need for the Project: Degree of urgency for project completion and the need for Arts Stabilization fundingNature of the Project: Extent to which the project addresses physical plant needs, facility improvement, and/or delivery of services with capital equipment (in descending order of priority)Financial Information: Extent to which the budget and bids are detailed and realistic, aligned with proposed project, and supported with matched funding from multiple sources.  Application must include at least two comparable and competitive bidsFacilities Planning: Extent to which the project fits into a broader long-range plan for facilities management and maintenance.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Arts Stabilization funding, applicants must:Be a nonprofit arts organization that is currently eligible to receive General Operating Support and is not an ArtCo member.Own the facility or have a long-term lease agreement.Types of Arts Stabilization activities eligible for consideration by the Division (in order of funding priority) are:Renovations that address structural weaknesses or deficienciesFacility modifications that address safety issues (lighting, access/egress, meeting building codes)Upgrading or replacing operational systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing)Facility modifications or equipment to address accessibility for people with physical disabilitiesSystems to enhance delivery of programmatic or customer services (e.g., lighting or sound system upgrades/flooring/storage).

Ineligibility

Please note the following restrictions:The Division will not accept applications through fiscal agents.No individual may compile or submit an application on behalf of an organization if that individual is a member or relative of a member of the Delaware State Arts Council or Division staff.Arts Consortium of Delaware, Inc. (ArtCo) member organizations are not eligible to apply for Arts Stabilization grants through the Delaware Division of the Arts. Member organizations include Christina Cultural Arts Center, Delaware Art Museum, Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Delaware Theatre Company, Grand Opera House, Music School of Delaware, OperaDelaware, and Rehoboth Art League.Projects Not Eligible for Funding:Projects determined to be routine maintenance or upkeep (e.g., painting, cleaning)Purchase of computer hardware/software (unless that hardware operates HVAC, lighting, or sound systems)Purchase of office equipment, art room equipment, shop equipment, or toolsMultiple projects submitted together or separately.