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Inspiration Grants

METROPOLITAN ARTS COUNCIL OF

Foundation Semi-annual Grants for ArtsGrants for Visual Artists
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Funding Amount

$3,650 average (Spring 2025: 10 grants totaling $36,500)

Deadline

May 14, 2026

36 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Inspiration Grants

Purpose: Project grants for individual artists or small groups of artists to support ambitious projects of risk, growth, and change for the artist and/or projects that make a positive impact on the community.

Geographic Scope: Five-county Kansas City metropolitan area (Jackson, Clay, and Platte counties in Missouri; and Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas). Applications from adjacent counties will be considered if the project takes place within the service area, but the five-county area is the main priority.

Eligible Disciplines: Visual, dance, music, theater, literature/poetry, fashion, film, and interdisciplinary art

2025 Results (Spring): Made 10 grants totaling $36,500. 26% of applicants received a grant.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Be a practicing artist with an established record of professional achievement in the arts

  • Be an adult over the age of 18

  • Live in the five-county Kansas City metropolitan area

    • Not Eligible:

  • Artists can only apply to Inspiration Grants once per year (must sit out one round before applying again)

  • After receiving an Inspiration grant, must complete the final report and wait one round before applying again

  • While some grants have been made for workshops, certifications, or continuing education, these are not for regular college tuition

  • Organizations may not apply (individual artists only)

  • An individual can only apply for and/or financially benefit from one Inspiration Grant per grant round

  • Cannot apply if you have already applied for the current round and/or are part of a group that has already applied

    • Contact: Phone: (816) 221-1777; Email: [email protected]

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    Applications are submitted through ArtsKC's online grant management system (Foundant Technologies).

    2025-2026 FY26 Round II Timeline:

  • Application Opens: January 14, 2026

  • Deadline: March 12, 2026

  • Decisions Announcement: Late April, 2026

  • Impact Reports Deadline: September 30, 2026

    • Key Notes:

  • Grant applications open for periods of time throughout the year

  • Online system is compatible with screen reading systems

  • Tutorial video available for assistance with the online application process

  • Two rounds per fiscal year (semi-annual)

    • Apply with Grantable Learn more

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    artsvisual-artists

    Categories

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    Ready to apply for Inspiration Grants?

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