Arts Fund of Kalamazoo County - KalamazooArts.org

Overview

The Arts Fund, established in 1986, supports individual artists and non-profit organizations creating artistic projects that remove barriers and provide access for historically excluded communities. This is a matching grant: each dollar requested must be matched by another income source.

Key Dates

• Round I – Opens: July 14, 2026; Deadline: September 15, 2026 at 11:59 pm
• Round II – Opens: December 15, 2026; Deadline: February 2, 2027 at 11:59 pm

Eligibility

• Individual artists: Must be at least 18 years old by the deadline and reside in Kalamazoo County
• Organizations: Must be non-profit (IRS-defined with EIN) and operate in Kalamazoo County
• Applicants with unmet obligations on prior grants (late/incomplete reports) are disqualified
• Applicants who received an Arts Council grant in the prior 12 months are disqualified
• Projects must not start before the application deadline

Funding Categories

• Individual Artist: up to $2,500 for projects emphasizing work that engages historically excluded communities
• Arts Project Grant (Nonprofits only): up to $5,500 for project support (operational support requests will not be considered; fiscal sponsorship applications are acceptable)
• Request must be 50% or less of total project budget
• Projects must be completed within 12 months of receipt of award letter

Application Fee

• ACGK Members: free
• Non-members: $25 (Memberships range from $20–$419 for one year)

Restrictions on Funding Use

• Activities required for academic credit toward a degree
• Consultant fees
• Existing debt, including retroactive/reimbursement funding
• Operational expenses that do not directly impact a project
• Creation of an endowment
• Fundraisers
• Capital expenses exceeding $500 (equipment/items with useful life over one year; equipment up to $500 is acceptable if integral to art creation/performance)

How to Apply

Applicants must apply using the online e-grant system at https://kalamazooarts.slideroom.com. Create an account using the sign-up button. Individual applicants should not use an organization account. The application begins with an eligibility form; if ineligible at any question, you cannot proceed.

Support & Resources

• Workshops held before each grant deadline throughout Kalamazoo; free and open to the public
• Office hours available Friday mornings on a first-come, first-served basis (Zoom or in-person)
• Contact: [email protected] or (269) 342-5059 (business hours: 9am–6pm Tuesday–Friday)
• Final report due one year after receipt of award letter; submit online at kalamazooarts.slideroom.com