Kentucky Arts Partnership Grant

Kentucky Arts Partnership Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Kentucky Arts Council
Amount: US $1,000 - US $59,999
Last Updated: February 12, 2026

Summary

The Kentucky Arts Partnership Grant provides vital operating support to arts organizations in Kentucky, ensuring that residents have access to year-round arts programming. This grant is aimed at independent arts groups and local arts agencies, helping to foster strong community engagement and cultural diversity. Organizations must demonstrate fiscal responsibility and maintain IRS tax-exempt status to qualify. This initiative not only enhances art participation but also strengthens the overall arts delivery system across the state.

Overview

NOTE: If this is your organization’s first time applying to the Kentucky Arts Partnership Grant Program, call the program manager to determine your eligibility before beginning an application. About the Program The Kentucky Arts Partnership grant provides unrestricted operating support to arts organizations to ensure that year-round participation in the arts is available to the people of Kentucky. The amount funded is derived from a formula based on the organization’s operating revenues, the panelists' assessment of the application and the funds available for the program. The Kentucky Arts Partnership Grant Program provides support for the general operating costs of Kentucky arts and cultural organizations whose primary mission is to provide Kentuckians with year-round arts programming. Goals To develop and maintain strong arts organizations. To increase arts participation statewide. To promote diverse arts and culture. To help build an efficient arts delivery system across the state. Program Support The arts council staff is available to offer the following support, with prior notice and no later than two weeks before the deadline, to ensure program standards and goals are met: Assistance from arts council program directors in selecting appropriate program categories, and in answering questions about programsConsultation regarding applicant eligibility, competitiveness for funding, budget issues, etc.Referrals to potential partners for programsAdvice in locating appropriate technical assistance to evaluate and increase applicants’ accessibility and arts participation

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicant must be a free-standing arts group independent of any other organization. Government units that are local arts agencies are also eligible for Kentucky Arts Partnership funding. (State or other agencies supported primarily with state or federal funds are ineligible.) Internal programs of academic institutions that serve, feature, produce or present professional artists may apply. (The KAC will only accept one application supporting one program per academic institution, education system, or school district.)Applicant must currently have, and maintain during the grant cycle, IRS tax-exempt status. Applicant must be legally chartered in Kentucky and have its headquarters and home season, or activities equivalent to a home season for nonproducing organizations, in Kentucky.Applicant must provide a significant amount of year-round public arts-based activity and programming that impacts Kentuckians and their communities.Applicant must have a board approved long-range plan covering at least the current and next fiscal years.Applicant must demonstrate ongoing fiscal responsibility by submitting its most recent IRS Form 990.

Ineligibility

State or other agencies supported primarily with state or federal funds are ineligible. Kentucky Arts Partnership grant funds may not be used for the following purposes:Purchase of equipment, property, library holdings or acquisitions Capital improvements, facility construction, structural renovations and restorations Publications or recordings for commercial purposes Scholarships or other activities related to academic credit or degrees Activities intended primarily for fundraising Food, beverages or other refreshments Requests designed to reduce or eliminate existing deficits Interest on loans, fines, penalties and/or litigation costs Expenses incurred before the starting date of the period covered in the grant request Investments of any kind Performances not available to the general public Programs that have sectarian purposes Indirect costs unless 1) per a current federally-negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (official documentation required), or 2) "de minimus" indirect costs not to exceed 10 percent of total modified direct cost The application of new artistic work to historic buildings or structures unless approved by the state historic preservation office as being in compliance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.No arts council funds may be used to match another grant from the arts council. In addition, the same matching funds may not be used for more than one arts council grant. In some cases, arts council grants may be used to match National Endowment for the Arts or other federal grants; call staff for clarification before committing funds for such purposes. The arts council also reserves the right to make special stipulations on how specific grant funds may be spent. Organizations that receive line-item funding through the Governor’s Executive Budget are ineligible for Kentucky Arts Council operational support, up to the amount designated through line-item funding, in the same fiscal year for which the funding is to be received.