Folklife Community Grant

The Folklife Community Grant, offered by the Nevada Arts Council, supports small community organizations in presenting folk arts and traditions. Eligible projects include festivals, concerts, and gatherings that engage traditional artists and cultural specialists. The grant aims to strengthen cultural communities in Nevada by fostering artistic expression and collaboration, ensuring that folk arts continue to thrive and contribute to the state's cultural vibrancy and economic vitality.

NOTE:  Grant Activity Period: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026. Applicants must talk with Folklife Program before applying.  Applications are due at least 30 days before the proposed project (while funds remain available).
Goals
Arts Education – conduct workshops, mentorships, professional development opportunities, regional and statewide convenings, and funding for contemporary and traditional artists, non-profit and cultural organizations, and public institutions. In addition, increasing arts education and arts integration into the curriculum of Nevada’s Pre-K-12 schools and promoting lifelong learning through use of arts and creativity in the social development, health, and healing for all Nevada citizens.Economic Vitality – addressing Nevadans access to arts and creativity through the recovery and sustainability of artists and arts organizations by creating funding opportunities, promoting cultural tourism, collaborating with government and business, improving creative infrastructure, developing financial viable creative districts, and supporting cultural awareness, understanding, and preservation.Healthy Communities – collaborating with partners to increase the understanding, use, and financial support of arts and creativity to aid in the healing, wellbeing, quality of life initiatives, and aging of Nevada’s residents.
The Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Folklife Community Grant (FLC) supports programs with folk artists and culture bearers presented by small community organizations. Eligible projects focus on the transmission or presentation of folk arts or traditions that are practiced, valued, and shared within culturally specific communities in Nevada. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to festivals, cultural events, concerts, and gatherings that bring traditional artists, cultural specialists, and communities together.

Eligibility

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:Festivals,cultural events,concerts,gatherings,conferences, andseminars that bring traditional artists, cultural specialists, and communities together.This grant supports small organizations serving cultural communities in NevadaMust have a DUNS number (can be obtained for free here )Must have active incorporation status with the Nevada Secretary of State showing evidence of good standing at the time of applicationMust have federal tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue CodeMust be based in Nevada (as shown by the address on the organization’s IRS 990 form)

Ineligibility

Must not be a current Operating Support GranteeThe following costs are non-allowable:Any portion of a project that duplicates costs in grants pending with, or received directly from, the National Endowment for the ArtsAny portion of the same project in multiple grant applicationsAny portion of completed projectsAnything specifically forbidden by Nevada state law or federal lawCapital expenditures for land or general-purpose equipment with a cost over $2,500Cash prizesCompetition awardsFees for filing for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue ServiceFines, penalties, or debt collection costsTravel outside Canada, Mexico, the United States, and its territories and possessionsFundraising efforts or the money spent in order to raise additional funds (such as social eventsand benefits)Hospitality or entertainment expenses (including food, beverages and gratuities for openings,receptions, parties or other hospitality functions)Journalism, historical or academic documentary film, and electronic media arts that do NOTdemonstrate significant artistic emphasis, consideration, and distinctionLegal fees or litigation costsLobbying expensesPerformances of a prurient naturePreparation for, or travel to, competitions (except for Poetry Out Loud participants)Projects with implicit religious content that may be perceived as advancing a religious purposePublication subventionReduction of debt including interest expenses paid on loans, debts, or borrowed capitalRenovation, remodeling, restoration, or new constructionReserve fundsSalaries and overhead of government agencies, public institutions, and public and private schools, colleges, and universitiesStudent scholarships for academic credit or awards for student work