Overview
The Connecticut Office of the Arts Supporting Arts grant program provides unrestricted funding to help support Connecticut’s arts organizations and municipal arts departments as they pursue their missions. This type of grant is flexible and gives the grantee the ability to use the funds where they are most needed. Grants range from $1,000 to $15,000 depending upon the size of the organization:
| Organization Size | Organizational Budget | Grant Amount |
| Micro | $1,000 - < $30,000 | $1,000 |
| Small | $30,000 - < $100,000 | $3,000 |
| Mid-Size A | $100,000 - < $500,000 | $7,000 |
| Mid-Size B | $500,000 - < $1.5 million | $12,500 |
| Large | $1.5 million + | $15,000 |
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be either an arts organization or a municipal arts department.
Arts Organization
An arts organization is defined as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose core mission, vision, focus and legal purpose, as stated in its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, articulate a commitment to create, perform, present or promote artistic activities* AND at least 51 percent of its annual fiscal expenditures is allocated specifically to support artistic activities, arts programming, services or arts-based initiatives. *Artistic activities shall include, but are not limited to, music, theater, dance, painting, sculpture, literature, films and allied arts and crafts. Additional criteria required for an Arts Organization applying to the Supporting Arts grant program:
- Have an minimum annual operating budget of $1,000;
- Be incorporated in Connecticut as a legal nonprofit entity for at least three (3) years prior to the application date;
- Its primary place of business and operations must be in Connecticut; and
- Have a current Certificate of Good Standing (aka Certificate of Legal Existence) from the Secretary of the State’s Office. A current certificate is a certificate issued and dated within 12 months of the application deadline.
Municipal Arts Department
For the purpose of the Supporting Arts grant program, the definition of a Municipal Arts Department is a Connecticut municipal government entity, such as a Commission on the Arts, Department of Cultural Affairs or other specifically designated office with the purpose to conduct and/or support artistic activities, arts programming, services or arts-based initiatives. Additional criteria required for a Municipal Arts Department applying to the Supporting Arts grant program:
- Have a dedicated allocation in the municipal budget for arts and cultural activities, programming, services or arts-based initiatives; and
- Employ at least one (1) person who is assigned to and/or responsible for administering arts and cultural activities, programming, services or arts-based initiatives.
NOTE: First-time applicants are required to confirm eligibility before applying by contacting Rhonda Olisky at rhonda.olisky@ct.gov.
The following are ineligible to apply to the Supporting Arts grant program:
- Organizations that receive Directed Local Funds (aka Line Items)
- COA's Designated Regional Service Organizations
- Organization that applied to the FY20 Regional Initiative (REGI) grant program or the FY20 Arts Project grant program
Application Deadline
The FY20 Supporting Arts Grant Program is closed. The deadline to apply was June 28, 2019.
Funding Period
October 1, 2019 - September 30, 2020
Guidelines
FY20 Supporting Arts Guidelines
Applicants must review COA's Grant Overview Guidelines
Required Financial Worksheets
All applicants must complete and upload the following financial worksheets during the on-line application process:
Required Staff & Board Form
All applicants must complete and upload a Staff & Board Information Form during the on-line application process.
How To Apply
Applications must be submitted on-line at: https://coa.fluidreview.com
Instructions on how to apply can be found on Page 8 of the guidelines.
DUNS Number Requirement
All applicants must have a DUNS number when applying for a grant from the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA). COA began requiring a DUNS number on all grant applications in 2017 (FY18). It is required on applications for any grant administered by COA that includes National Endowment for the Arts funding. Obtaining a DUNS number is a free, straightforward process. For more information, click here.
Contact
For information or if you have questions, contact Rhonda F. Olisky via email at rhonda.olisky@ct.gov.