OAC Creative Aging Partnership Grant

OAC Creative Aging Partnership Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Oklahoma Arts Council
Last Updated: January 29, 2026

Summary

The OAC Creative Aging Partnership Grant aims to enhance arts education for older adults in Oklahoma. This program provides funding for workshops and artist residencies, fostering community connections and promoting health benefits. Organizations can receive up to $30,000, with a 1:1 match requirement. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, government entities, and educational institutions. This initiative supports creative aging opportunities, encouraging lifelong learning and engagement among seniors, ultimately improving their quality of life through the arts.

Overview

Creative Aging Partnership Grant Creative Aging Partnership Grants offer funding to build and expand arts learning opportunities for older adults through teaching artist residencies and workshops. Creative Aging includes arts education and learning programs that empower older adults ages 55 and older to develop and strengthen their sense of purpose, deepen connections to community, increase health benefits, and ignite passion for learning. Extensive research has consistently shown that community-based art programs run by professional artists have powerful positive effects on older adults. These learning opportunities point to true health promotion and disease prevention that have a positive impact on reducing dependency and maintaining independence. Oklahoma organizations and artists offer a wealth of expertise and resources to build sustainable partnerships that can serve older adults in new and innovative ways. Through this grant program, Oklahoma Arts Council will work with grantee organizations to create or expand creative aging opportunities for older adults. Organizations receiving funding will also participate in a creative aging cohort and receive professional development through one-on-one mentorship, group trainings, cohort meetings, and technical support. This program is made possible through funding from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) to enhance the health and well-being of senior adults Program Objectives Engage older learners with participatory skill building experiences through hands-on sequential arts learning programs led by qualified teaching artistsLeverage the arts to improve health outcomes for older adults, including connections to support systems, health/wellness benefits, and other support services and resourcesHelp Oklahomans age with help, dignity, and connection in their communitiesCreate and expand creative aging opportunities across the state Grant Amount Up to 30,000 per organization (grant request cannot exceed 30% of organizations operating budget)Match requirement: 1:1 (100%). Half of the match (50%) may be in-kind support. MatchingFunds may not be other Oklahoma Arts Council funds.Administrative fee: Grantees may allocate up to 20% of their grant award for organization salaries and administrative/operating expenses directly related to the funded project. Award amounts are determined using the grant program scoring criteria and agency priorities.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations incorporated in the State of Oklahoma as a Domestic Not for Profit Corporation  In good standing with the IRS (Organizations that have had their IRS status revoked are not eligible for Oklahoma Arts Council grant support. It is the organization’s responsibility to ensure that its status is current at the time of the application and throughout the life of the award.)In good standing with the State of OklahomaRegistered with a SAM UEI and eligible to receive federal support (organizations cannot be listed under the SAM Exclusions federal debarred or suspended list)City, county, state, and tribal governmentsColleges and universities Public library branches Organizations receiving Oklahoma Arts Council funding in other grant programs may also apply for this grant opportunity. Funding from this program can be used to reimburse the following expenses: Teaching Artist Fees (payment to the teaching artist hired or contracted to lead instruction)Teaching Artist Travel Expenses (may include mileage, lodging, or other costs but cannot include food or drink)Participant Travel Expenses (may include transportation/bus rental/charter fees or other costs but cannot include food or drink)Administrative or Technical Fees (up to 15% of award, may include salaries/benefits or other administrative/operations fees directly related to the project such as project coordinators or grant writers)Consumable Supplies (must be directly related to the project)Other Expenses (including printed programs, signage, licensing and/or royalty fees, etc.)

Ineligibility

Unallowable expenses include tickets, tuition, scholarships, capital expenditures and/or building improvements, permanent art installations, activities for which college credit is given, loss of revenue, debt repayment, subgranting, duties or expenses related to fundraising and/or lobbying, activities or expenses that may advance or inhibit any religious belief, events that are not open to the public, cash prizes or awards, and hospitality expenses (i.e., food, drink, receptions, parties, galas). See the Grant Terms and Conditions for full cost principles.