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Creativity Connects: National Demonstration Projects

South Arts Inc

Funding Amount

$75,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
One-time opportunity
Tracked since
April 2026

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Overview

Funder: The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (administered through US Regional Arts Organizations)

Program Administrator: South Arts Inc (one of six regional arts organizations)

Purpose: Investigate ways arts can connect with other sectors (education, healthcare, social justice) through demonstration projects; promote collaboration, experimentation, and community growth

Program Year: 2016 (part of NEA's 50th anniversary celebration)

Key Details:

  • One project selected per region from six US Regional Arts Organizations
  • Regional Arts Organizations involved: Arts Midwest, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, New England Foundation for the Arts, South Arts, and Western States Arts Federation
  • Projects promote innovative cross-sector collaboration
  • Supports experimentation and community-centered approaches

Geographic Scope: National (one award per RAO region)

Selection Process:

  • Initial regional competition among nearly 40 arts organizations from Southeast
  • Adjudicated selection process led by South Arts
  • Regional winners compete nationally

Example Award Recipient: Deep Center (Savannah, GA) - $75,000 for "Block By Block" project partnering with Savannah Development and Renewal Authority, involving writing workshops, public readings, art marches, and block parties

What South Arts Inc actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025
233
Total given
$9.25M
Median grant
$36K
Range
$5,000–$130K
  • By dollars: North Carolina 8%, Georgia 5%, Florida 4%. Top recipient cities: Atlanta, GA; Nashville, TN; Durham, NC.
  • 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

Example grants

  • Ballet After Dark Inc · Baltimore, MD

    FY25 NEA ArtsHERE

    $130K

  • South Sudanese Foundation · Fargo, ND

    FY25 NEA ArtsHERE

    $130K

  • Wyandotte Nation of Kansas Inc · McLouth, KS

    FY25 NEA ArtsHERE

    $130K

  • Border Youth Tennis Exchange · Nogales, AZ

    FY25 NEA ArtsHERE

    $127K

  • The Indy Convergence Inc · Indianapolis, IN

    FY25 NEA ArtsHERE

    $122K

IRS Form 990, 2025. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Arts
  • Nonprofits
  • Community development

Categories

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