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Opportunities for Organizations GIG Fund: Interstate Touring Grants to support arts events in community Grants of up to $10,000 to support Midwest organizations who want to bring artists from another state into their community. Phase 1 Application due November 4 Learn More NEA Big Read Funding to read and discuss a book in community Grants of up to $20,000 to encourage dialogue by reading and discussing a book in community Learn More Shakespeare in American Communities Connecting young people with Shakespeare’s plays Grants of up to $30,000 to connect young people across the country to Shakespeare’s plays and support apprenticeships. Learn More Opportunities for Individuals Peter Capell Award Celebrating Midwesterners whose work demonstrates entrepreneurial thinking and business acumen. Applications due October 6 Jazz Road Touring and Residency Grants for U.S. Jazz Artists Grants of up to $40,000 to develop jazz tours and residencies across the country Learn More Midwest Culture Bearers Award Celebrating culture bearers and folk arts practitioners Celebrating and supporting the work of Midwest culture bearers and folk arts practitioners. Learn More Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities Celebrating the work of Midwestern visual artists with disabilities Supporting accessibility in the arts and celebrating the work of disabled Midwestern visual artists. Learn More Past Grants + Programs Across our 40-year history, Arts Midwest has supported creative work across many artistic disciplines and communities. Explore Our History Photo Credit: Pierre Ware Frequently Asked Questions Do you accept unsolicited proposals? We are not currently accepting unsolicited proposals. To hear about new open calls, opportunities, and upcoming programs, we encourage you to sign up for our newsletter. When do new grant opportunities typically open? Many of our grant and award programs operate on a yearly cycle, while others launch based on available funding. The best way to stay informed about upcoming opportunities is to sign up for our newsletter. How do I apply for an Arts Midwest grant or award? Each grant or award has its own guidelines and eligibility requirements. Review the information on the program page linked above to determine whether it’s a good fit for you or your organization. When you’re ready to apply, you’ll use our SmartSimple grants portal. Learn more about how the portal works, or go straight to SmartSimple by clicking the button below. Explore SmartSimple What makes for a good grant application? A strong grant application clearly follows the guidelines and offers specific, detailed plans for your project that are rooted in your unique vision for the work. To help you put your best foot forward, we’ve created resources on grant writing, including 7 Tips to Level Up Your Grant Writing Game and Best Practices for Federal Grant Applications. Many of our programs also offer additional support—such as office hours or sample applications that you can reference—so be sure to review the guidelines for more information. Do you give grants to individual artists? We do offer opportunities for individual artists. You’ll find those listed in the “Opportunities for Individuals” section above. If you’re looking for additional support, we also encourage you to explore funding through your state arts agency. I have a fiscal sponsor. Can I still apply for a grant? Most of our funding is made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. As such, applicants and grantees must abide by federal eligibility requirements. Read more from the NEA about fiscal sponsorships here. Occasionally, Arts Midwest offers programs that accept fiscally sponsored applicants. Sign up for our newsletter to learn when these opportunities become available. Where else can I find support for my organization or project? We recommend visiting the United States Regional Arts Organizations (USRAO) website to explore national grants offered by our sister organizations. State Arts Agencies and the National Endowment for the Arts also offer funding and resources for both individuals and organizations. We’re currently developing a new resource to help connect Midwestern artists and organizations with funding opportunities. If you’d like to hear when it launches in 2026, we encourage you to sign up for our newsletter. Questions about grants or programs? Our team is here to help. Get in touch with your questions. Contact Our Team