Wyoming Arts Council: Professional Development/Career Advancement Grant

Wyoming Arts Council: Professional Development/Career Advancement Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Wyoming Arts Council
Amount: Up to US $1,000
Last Updated: January 28, 2026

Summary

The Wyoming Arts Council offers the Professional Development/Career Advancement Grant to enhance the capabilities of individuals and organizations engaged in the arts. This program supports diverse projects, including leadership training, strategic planning, and fundraising development. Eligible applicants include individual artists and 501(c)(3) organizations based in Wyoming. The grant aims to foster artistic excellence and community engagement, ensuring that the arts thrive in the state's economy and culture.

Overview

NOTE: Application deadline: At least six weeks prior to the project start date. Grants will be available until funds are expended. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, due to the increased demand. Wyoming Arts Council The Wyoming Arts Council is pleased to provide funding opportunities for the many worthwhile art projects that our nonprofit organizations, government entities, and individual artists are doing throughout the state of Wyoming. Mission The Wyoming Arts Council provides leadership and invests resources to sustain, promote and cultivate excellence in the arts. Vision WAC envisions a Wyoming where the arts are integrated into the economy, education and everyday life of its citizens. Philosophy The arts are a foundation for community development, education, economic development, health, and cultural vitality.The arts help us understand ourselves, our world and our cultural heritageThe arts preserve and protect our cultural history while opening a door to new cultural frontiersThe arts influence lifelong learning practices that allow innovative ideas to flourish in all sectors of economic development.The arts prepare children and adults to become creative, productive citizens of the state Professional Development/Career Advancement Grant This grant is specifically designed to help grow the capacity of organizations and individuals that work in, and support the arts. Projects can include but are not limited to: board development, leadership development, conference attendance, professional development training, fundraising development, strategic planning, creation of marketing plans, equipment purchases, etc. Organizations that did not receive a Community Support Grant are eligible to receive up to two Professional Development/Career Advancement Grants for different programs or events. Individual Artists can receive one Professional Development/Career Advancement Grant every other fiscal year.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Individual Artists must live in Wyoming as their permanent residence 10 months of the year, be 18 years old or older, and not a full-time student pursuing high school, college or university art-related degrees.Non-individual applicants must either be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization or a government agency to be eligible to receive Wyoming Arts Council funding. If your organization does not meet these eligibility requirements, you may still be able to apply using a Fiscal Sponsor that does meet the eligibility requirements.Churches that meet the Internal Revenue Service requirements of IRC section 501(c)(3) are considered tax exempt if they meet the five requirements listed in the “IRS Tax Guide for Churches and Other Religious Organizations.” Click here for the Tax Guide.Government Agency includes tribal government, municipal, county, state and federal government, higher education, and school districts.Tribal Government – Each Tribe may receive either one Community Support Grant per year, or up to two Professional Development/Career Advancement or Rural Arts Access Grants per year, per entity.City and County Government – Each entity may receive either one Community Support Grant per year or up to two Professional Development/Career Advancement or Rural Arts Access Grants per year.State Government – Each entity within each department may receive either one Community Support Grant per year, or up to two Professional Development/Career Advancement or Rural Arts Access Grants per year.School Districts – Each District may receive either one Community Support Grant per year. or up to two Professional Development/Career Advancement or Rural Arts Access Grants per year.University of Wyoming and Wyoming Community Colleges – Each department at these educational institutions may apply for a grant. Proposed projects must serve a broad audience, be artistically excellent, incorporate outreach, and are not designed to primarily serve only the student population. Each department may receive either one Community Support Grant or up to two Professional Development/Career Advancement or Rural Arts Access Grants per year.Non-individual based applicants must be a Wyoming based organization or an organization in a bordering state that primarily serves the citizens of Wyoming.Applicants must be in compliance with all applicable Wyoming state laws.

Ineligibility

Below is a partial list of expenses that cannot be funded with Arts Council grants:New construction, renovation, remodeling or restoration of facilities. (However, planning grants or facility studies may be funded.)Capital expenditures for land or general purpose equipment or the purchase of any special purpose equipment with a cost of $5,000 or more and a normal useful life of more than one year.Bad Debts: any losses from previous years or from uncollectible accounts/claims.Projects completed prior to awarding of a grant.Replacement funds (to take the place of money normally budgeted for the project).Interest, fines or penalties and organizational indirect or overhead costs.Cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally financed program.Contributions, contingency funds, donations, prize money, scholarships, or any form of tuition assistance for college or university study.Goods or services for personal use.Goods for resale, which includes the sale of concessions, promotional merchandise or items purchases to sell, even if related to your programming, as well as any associated staffing or facilities costs. Costs for items that are required to be produced as part of the approved project activity (e.g. publications, such as journals or exhibit catalogs, or records, such as orchestra concert CDs) and that are incurred during the period of performance are allowable.Entertainment: receptions, food, alcohol, flowers, invitations, etc.Lobbying costs for activities such as federal, state or local electioneering and support of such entities as campaign organizations and political action committees; direct lobbying of Congress to influence legislation; lobbying of the Executive Branch in connection with decisions to sign or veto enrolled legislation; efforts to utilize state or local officials to lobby Congress or state legislatures; grassroots lobbying concerning either Federal or state legislation; legislative liaison activities in support of unallowable lobbying activities; or membership costs in organizations that lobby.Costs of advertising and public relations designed solely to promote the organization; costs of promotional items and memorabilia. (Costs for the purpose of communicating to the public specific activities related to sponsored programs are allowable, as are costs for recruitment of personnel.)Fundraising and investment management costs, including financial campaigns, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar expenses incurred to raise capital or obtain contributions.Costs of defense or prosecution of criminal and civil proceedings, claims, appeals and patent infringements.Anything specifically forbidden by Wyoming state law or federal law.Food expenses may only be paid/included if they meet this criteria:Per diem for artists or others traveling in connection with the grant.Food supplies when they will be used for teaching/demonstrating and are not sold.Indirect costs should be excluded from the project budget.