OAC Oklahoma Arts and the Military Grants

The Oklahoma Arts and the Military Grants aim to empower organizations to serve military-connected individuals through arts programs. Grants of up to $5,000 support learning-based and audience-based initiatives that engage active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. This initiative, part of the Oklahoma Arts and the Military Initiative, fosters greater accessibility to the arts for the military community, enhancing their well-being and connection through creative expression.

NOTE: Applicants are advised to apply 60 days before their project begins.
About the Oklahoma Arts Council
In 1965, Oklahoma Governor Henry Bellmon and the Oklahoma State Legislature established the Oklahoma Arts Council in response to a national movement to make the arts accessible to all Americans. Establishing the Oklahoma Arts Council enabled the State of Oklahoma to receive federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts to support arts activities across the state. For more than 50 years, this system of federal, state, and private support has given Oklahomans in communities statewide access to the transforming power of the arts.
All communities are celebrated and enriched through creative expressionArtists, arts organizations, and arts education thrive through robust public supportThe arts are recognized as essential to education and economic vitalityOklahoma is the leader for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the artsOklahoma Arts and the Military Grants
The Oklahoma Arts and the Military Grant program is designed to empower organizations statewide to serve military-connected individuals through the arts. The grant program is part of the Oklahoma Arts and the Military Initiative, which is a strategic effort launched in 2015 by the Oklahoma Arts Council to meet important needs in Oklahoma’s military community.
Grants of up to $5,000 are available to support new or ongoing learning-based and audience-based arts programs serving primarily individuals who are connected to the military. Military-connected individuals include active-duty service members, reservists, National Guard members, veterans, and immediate family members and caregivers.
Oklahoma Arts and the Military Grants are made possible in part by funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Mid-America Arts Alliance.
Grant Program Goals
Create more opportunities for military-connected individuals – including active-duty service members, reservists, National Guard members, veterans, their families and caregivers, and others – to meaningfully engage with the arts.
Build capacity among Oklahoma organizations to offer arts programs for military-connected participants.

Eligibility

To be eligible for grants, an applicant must be a non-religious, nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization; agency of government; sovereign Indian Nation; public library; or college, university, or public school. Nonprofit organizations must be incorporated in the State of Oklahoma. (Title 70:10-3-25). Organizations receiving Oklahoma Arts Council funding in other grant programs can also apply for this Oklahoma Arts and the Military Grant opportunity.
What Types of Programs Can Be Supported?
Grants can support costs associated with learning-based arts programs (classes, workshops, etc.), audience-based arts programs (performances, exhibitions, etc.)Capacity building programs (professional development and training, consultant services, program design and development, etc.). Projects can be new or ongoing, but cannot end before the submission of an application.