The Community Arts and Culture Guide is a tool for communities envisioning a future filled with wonder and vibrance by supporting a shared cultural identity. Use this guide to create the foundation for cultural development, assess your existing assets, and move forward with specific goals to develop quality of place through arts and culture initiatives.
Whether you are just beginning or looking to build on existing efforts, this guide will help you take the next steps in activating your goals.
Find arts and cultural programming resources and support with these local, regional, and national recommendations to support your community or project's growth and development. These resources provide advice on organizational and artist support as well as capacity-building.
Be sure to check out supplemental materials to the arts and culture guide, including the grant planning worksheet for tips on researching and applying for grant opportunities and the sponsorship prospectus kit to help you develop a summary of your event or program for prospective sponsors.
Indiana Cultural Districts are statewide leaders in cultural development, recognized by the state and Indiana Arts Commission as areas with authentic art, cultural identity, and creative mixed-use areas. Partnerships with cultural districts strengthen projects by increasing access to resources and partnership opportunities.
Regional Arts Partners (RAPs) work with the Indiana Arts Commission to promote and expand arts and cultural participation in Indiana. RAPs provide access to arts services that can help you explore additional funding opportunities, find an artist to work within your community, and other partnership possibilities.
The following section lists federal, regional, and state agencies and nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing and supporting local arts, culture, humanities, and creative projects. Support includes, but is not limited to, grant funding.
International Arts, Culture, and Cultural Heritage Agencies
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization | UNESCO A main branch of the United Nations, UNESCO has been dedicated to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication, and information since 1942. The website includes a variety of free resources on cultural heritage, preservation, and working within global contexts.
International Council on Museums (ICOM) ICOM is an international organization of museums and museum professionals which is committed to the research, conservation, continuation, and communication to society of the world’s natural and cultural heritage, present and future, tangible and intangible.
United States Federal Agencies
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts for everyone in the United States.
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) The National Endowment for the Humanities is an independent federal agency created in 1965. It is one of the largest funders of humanities programs in the United States. The NEH awards grants for humanities-related project proposals by panels of independent, external reviewers.
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Mandated by the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) works to build friendly, peaceful relations between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through academic, cultural, sports, and professional exchanges, as well as public-private partnerships and funding opportunities.
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Enacted by Congress in 1990, NAGPRA provides Federal law for the repatriation and disposition of certain Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony. Federal grants are available to museums, Indigenous Nations and Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations to assist in consultation, documentation, and repatriation under the law.
National Park Service The National Park Service is one of the United States' leading agencies for history and culture. In addition to preserving important historic sites within national park boundaries, the National Park Service works beyond those boundaries to ensure that everyone's history and cultural heritage is saved. They offer grant opportunities through their Cultural Resources Grants program.
National Assembly of State Art Agencies (NASAA) NASAA is the professional association of the nation’s 56 state and jurisdictional arts agencies. NASAA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with state arts agencies to advance the arts in communities.
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farmers Market Program The Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) funds projects that develop, coordinate, and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets to support domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, online sales, or other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. A 25 percent match is required.
Regional and State Arts Organizations (RAOs) Since its creation, the National Endowment for the Arts and State Arts Agencies has supported and encouraged growth and development of RAOs to ensure that creative programming reaches all corners of the country. The roles of the RAOs have evolved in response to the shifting needs and priorities of their regions. Today, they leverage public and private partnerships and funding. Arts Midwest serves Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Arts Midwest Arts Midwest promotes creativity, nurtures cultural leadership, and engages people in meaningful arts experiences, bringing vitality to Midwest communities and enriching people’s lives.
Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) The IAC mission is to positively impact the cultural, economic, and educational climate of Indiana by providing responsible leadership for and public stewardship of artistic resources for all of our state's citizens and communities. The IAC focuses on these specific stakeholder groups: individual artists, 501(c)3 arts and cultural organizations, and communities. They provide a variety of resources, including grant opportunities.
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) CDFI funds generate economic growth and opportunity by providing access to financial products and services for local residents and businesses. This may include access to banking services, credit unions, loan and microloan funds, or venture capital providers. Those eligible for support can include individuals and families, entrepreneurs, health and community centers, schools, and nonprofits.
Research your area for local CDFI institutions and opportunities, with a few examples here:
Creative Capital (individual artists) Creative Capital is a nonprofit, grantmaking organization with the mission to fund artists in the creation of groundbreaking new work, to amplify the impact of their work, and to foster sustainable artistic careers.
Getty Grant Program (visual arts) The Getty Foundation supports institutions and individuals committed to advancing the greater understanding and preservation of the visual arts in Los Angeles and throughout the world. We do this through grant initiatives that increase access to museum collections, strengthen art history as a global discipline, advance conservation practice, and support current and future leaders in the visual arts. We carry out our work in collaboration with the other Getty programs—the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Getty Research Institute, and the Getty Conservation Institute. Since 1984, we have awarded more than 9,000 grants benefiting over 180 countries on all seven continents.
Ford Foundation: Creativity and Free Expression Grants (multidisciplinary) The Ford Foundations’ Creativity and Free Expression program supports the arts, media, and documentary filmmaking projects that shares perceptions, values, and belief systems that deepen society’s understanding of society. The program encourages cultural organizations and individuals from communities of color and disability to apply, and those underrepresented in arts, journalism, and documentary filmmaking across the United States.
Kresge Foundation (creative placemaking) The Kresge Foundation Arts & Culture grant program focuses on creative placemaking, which elevates arts, culture, and community-engaged design as central elements of community development and planning.
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) The mission of IMLS is to advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development.
John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation (multidisciplinary) The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation offers fellowship for advanced professionals in all fields (natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, creative arts, except for performing arts). Students are not eligible.
MAP Fund (multidisciplinary for individual artists) MAP is one of the longest running private sources for new performance works in the US. MAP prioritizes innovative performance that questions cultural norms, entrenched ideologies, and reminds us of our shared humanity.
Mellon Foundation (multidisciplinary) The Mellon Foundation is a grant making foundation that focuses on four core areas: arts and culture, higher learning, humanities in place, and public knowledge.
National Book Foundation (literary arts) The mission of the National Book Foundation and the National Book Awards is to celebrate the best of American literature, to expand its audience, and to enhance the cultural value of great writing in America.
National Performance Network (NPN) NPN is a network of artists and organizations committed to advancing racial and cultural justice through the arts. Their grant programs include an Artist Engagement Fund, Creation & Development Fund to support artists from the United States and Mexico and especially supports artists of color.
National Association of Latino Arts & Cultures (NALAC) Since 1989, the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures has delivered programs that stabilize and revitalize the US Latino arts and cultural sector via funding, leadership training, convenings, research, and advocacy. The NALAC Fund for the Arts grant program offers funding opportunities for Latinx artists, arts administrations, ensembles, and organizations in the United States and Puerto Rico.
Save the Music Foundation (music education) Save the Music provides a variety of resources for music educators and music programs in schools. They partner with public school districts to donate grants in the form of new musical instruments, technology, equipment, and resources for teachers. Grants provide opportunities to jumpstart and support their music programs.
Shubert Foundation (theatre) The Shubert Foundation supports nonprofit, professional theatres in the United States with general operating support grants.
Pollock-Krasner Foundation (visual arts) The Pollock-Krasner Foundation provides financial resources to emerging and established artists so they may focus on their work. Funding can be used to create new work, acquire supplies, rent studio space, exhibition prep, attend residency, and offset living expenses. Open to artists worldwide.
William H. Johnson Prize (visual arts) A nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, the William H. Johnson Prize encourages African American and Black artists early in their careers by offering financial grants. They award to individuals in the following visual art media: painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking, installation, and/or new genre.
Ackerman Foundation As an Indianapolis-based organization, Ackerman Foundation grants are made predominately to central Indiana organizations as well as a few national medical research institutions. Specifically, the foundation focuses on Indiana cultural institutions and organizations benefiting health and human services, community development, and education. Grant requests will be considered for operating fund purposes and capital campaigns. The foundation does not make grants to individuals.
Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation This foundation is dedicated to funding the arts and humanities in the Indianapolis and Central Indiana area. They offer two grant opportunities yearly, including the Operating Grants Cycle to support ongoing organizational operations and the Capital Grants Cycle to support one-time, specific projects.
Bank of America Charitable Foundation This foundation offers grant and sponsorship opportunities for areas like community development, housing, and workforce development.
Brabson Library and Educational Foundation The Brabson Library and Education Foundation is a philanthropic family foundation that honors the grantors and reflects the family’s passion for bold, innovative ideas that may have a significant and long-term impact especially in education and the arts. Their five focus areas include charitable, literary, educational, scientific, and reference library operations in Central Indiana.
C.E. and S. Foundation, Inc. The C. E. and S. Foundation identifies, funds, and nurtures initiatives to enhance the living conditions and prospects of identifiable people to promote the flourishing of communities in Central Indiana. Their investment areas include caregiver engagement, social-emotional support (birth through Grade 12), academic support (K-12), family and household stability, and postsecondary education success.
Cummins Foundation The Cummins Foundation supports employees’ corporate responsibility work primarily through Community Development Grants (CDGs), which provide financial support for projects and partners once engagement with the community partner has been established. After engaging with a community partner, employees can develop grant ideas in collaboration with the Corporate Responsibility leader, and submit grant requests to the Cummins Foundation. Contact the organization directly to inquire and start the process.
Duke Energy Foundation The Duke Energy Foundation focuses on workforce development training, community vitalization, and local economic and development.
The James Foundation The James Foundation, Inc. believes that by serving as civic stewards, quality of life will be enriched acting as a catalyst to undertakings that strengthen both families and community. Provides funding to 501(c)3 tax exempt organizations in the areas of education, community, and faith in Central Indiana.
Indiana Humanities Indiana Humanities is affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities. Their mission is to connect people, open minds, and enrich lives by creating and facilitating programs that encourage Hoosiers to think, read, and talk. As a statewide nonprofit, they provide grants for public discussions, visiting scholars, and other public programs focused on the humanities, or the study of the human world and society from a critical perspective.
Indiana Historical Society Heritage Support grants fund Indiana’s local, county, and regional historical societies, museums and sites in their important work, made possible by Lilly Endowment Inc.
Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA): CreatINg Places and Patronicity Campaign The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) in conjunction with Patronicity.com facilitates “CreatINg Places,” a place-based crowdfunding grant program. CreatINg Places employs a donation and reward-based method of crowdfunding called “crowdgranting”. In crowdgranting, citizens actively support projects and activities through web-based donations which, if the fundraising goal is reached within a set time, are matched by a sponsor. Click the link for eligible applicants and projects.
Indiana Landmark Society Indiana Landmarks provides loans and a variety of grants that help save and restore historic places. Many of their grants are on a rolling deadline but be sure to check the requirements and deadline for each application. Applicants must have registered nonprofit status.
Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) OCRA works with local, state and national partners to provide resources and technical assistance to aid communities in shaping and achieving their vision for community and economic development.
The OCRA Quick Impact Placebased (QuIP) Grant funds placemaking activities, space enhancement, and community transformation projects that spark community-wide conversation and creativity in Indiana, among other grant opportunities.
Indy Arts Council Each year, Indy Arts Council awards funds through the Annual Grants Program to the nonprofit arts and cultural communities of Marion County. These grants help enhance and support the development of quality arts performances, programs, services, exhibitions, and arts activities throughout central Indiana.
Lilly Endowment Inc. The Lilly Endowment facilitates programs in three primary areas: community development, education, and religion with a particular emphasis on youth and programs that promote volunteering in central and southern Indiana.
Lifelong Arts Indiana (Indiana Arts Commission program) Applicants may request up to $1,000 for a project taking place within a specified time period that provides a sequential arts learning experience for a group of older adults in their community. The proposal must meet criteria and will be reviewed by a panel.
Louisville Fund for the Arts (FFTA) FFTA contributes to the overall health and well-being of the Louisville, KY area and community by: generating resources for, investing in, and supporting our local arts, artists and arts organizations. The Black Artists Fund is an initiative to provide grants to fund new works created by Black artists in the Greater Louisville area: https://fundforthearts.org/black-artists-fund-grants/. Southern Indiana counties making up this area include Washington, Scott, Clark, Floyd, and Harrison counties (https://www.greaterlouisville.com/region-details/).
Ogle Foundation, Inc. The Ogle Foundation, Inc. is interested in cultural heritage projects in Southern Indiana being carried out by 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations. All grant requests must show evidence that they directly impact the residents of Southern Indiana and whose activities fall within the following counties: Clark County IN, Floyd County IN, Harrison County IN, Scott County IN, Switzerland County IN, Washington County IN, and Jefferson County, KY* and have an annual operating budget of at least $300,000.
Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) ROI is a nonprofit granting organization affiliated with the Community Foundation of Bloomington Monroe County whose mission is to advance economic and community prosperity of the 11-county Upland region. Grants apply for Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Green, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, and Washington, Indiana counties. Their programs cover education and workforce, and quality of place.
SIA Foundation Grants The SIA Foundation, Inc. is committed to making gifts to qualifying 501(c)3 organizations or entities within the State of Indiana that will improve the quality of life and help meet the needs of our residents. The foundation achieves this mission through cash grants, which are used to support the funding of specific capital projects, including arts, culture, and education.
Smithville Charitable Foundation, Inc. Serving central and southern Indiana since 2007, the foundation awards grants to tax-exempt nonprofits and public entities (i.e., schools or local parks departments). Contact the foundation directly to inquire about funding projects and eligibility.
Reach out to the IU Center for Rural Engagement to establish a connection with any of the offices below.
Arts & Humanities Council The Arts & Humanities Council works with students, faculty, staff, and friends of IU to make transformative experiences in the public arts and humanities accessible to all.
Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design | ServeDesign Center The Indiana University ServeDesign Center works in partnership with campus and community to advance engaged scholarship and prepare students for lifelong civic and social responsibility in an increasingly diverse and complex global society.
Eskenazi Museum of Art The museum is located on campus, and staff also work with partners in the community around collections and educational programming.
IU Corps IU Corps is a network of IU Bloomington students, campus stakeholders, and community partners who have joined forces to create positive social change in local neighborhoods and around the world.
IU Libraries – Resource Hub Through collaboration of Indiana University Libraries, the IU Center for Rural Engagement, and public libraries across the Uplands region of Indiana, this resource hub contains all open and publicly accessible resources on a variety of topics. For more information or to schedule a consultation, let them know here https://iu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eaoWBNifhZBcvTn
Jacobs School of Music Community Engagement Project The Jacobs School of Music Community Engagement Initiative improves quality of life throughout rural Indiana through meaningful arts engagement through leading music workshops with highly skilled and trained musicians, public performances, collaborative projects, one-on-one instruction, and more.
Traditional Arts Indiana Traditional Arts Indiana is dedicated to expanding public awareness of Indiana’s traditional practices and nurturing a sense of pride among Indiana’s traditional artists.
These organizations provide support arts and cultural organizations through a variety of means: advocacy, expertise, service, membership benefits, and research, among many others. Check their websites for publications, toolkits, and other resources that may benefit projects and administration. This section includes resources based in Indiana and nationwide.
Academy of American Poets The academy supports American poets at all career levels and fosters appreciation of contemporary poetry.
Alternate ROOTS Alternate ROOTS supports the creation and presentation of original art that is rooted in community, place, tradition or spirit. We are a group of artists and cultural organizers based in the South creating a better world together.
Americans for the Arts Americans for the Arts build recognition and support for the extraordinary and dynamic value of the arts and to lead, serve, and advance the diverse networks of organizations and individuals who cultivate the arts in America.
American Composers Forum (ACF) ACF makes composers and the music they create a vibrant and integral part of United States culture by serving artists through networks, programs for emerging and mid-career composers and performers, residency programs, and its own recording label.
American Craft Council The American Craft Council serves as a champion for American crafts and traditional arts through library references, conferences, public lectures, student programs, and research.
American Indian Artists Inc. (Amerinda Inc.) American Indian Artists Inc. (AMERINDA), established in 1987, is a community-based multi-arts organization that works to empower Native Americans, break down barriers and foster intercultural understanding and appreciation for Native culture through its arts programs and services to individual artists. AMERINDA‘s mission is to promote the indigenous perspective in the arts to a broad audience through the creation of new work in contemporary art forms—visual, performing, literary and media.
Art & Sciences Collaborations, Inc. Arts & Sciences Collaborations, Inc. is an international nonprofit organization devoted to increasing visibility of art-science work that is inspired by or uses science and technology to create new forms of expression.
Art of the Rural Art of the Rural is a collaborative multimedia organization with a mission to promote diverse, interdisciplinary narratives of contemporary rural arts and culture.
Artist Help Network The Artist Help Network was launched in 2001. The website has been archived since then and contains career resources for fine artists that were added through August 2022.
Animating Democracy Animating Democracy inspires, informs, promotes, and connects arts and culture as potent contributors to community, civic, and social change.
American Alliance of Museums The American Alliance of Museums’ mission is to champion equitable and impactful museums by connecting people, fostering learning and community, and nurturing museum excellence. They provide memberships and resources to museum professionals through research, conferences, publications, and more.
Artist Communities Alliance (ACA) ACA is an international association of artist residencies. ACA supports administrators, artists, culture bearers, creatives, volunteers, and communities working to create and/or participate in artist residency programs to advance their creative practices.
ArtMix Indiana Formerly VSA Indiana, ArtMix transforms the lives of people with disabilities through the creation of art.
ArtPlace America No longer an active project, ArtPlace still provides a variety of examples and resources on creative placemaking.
Asian American Arts Alliance The Asian American Arts Alliance strengthens Asian American artists and cultural groups through resource sharing, promotion, and community building.
Bloomerang Bloomerang is fundraising software that provides a number of valuable resources, webinars, and blog entries about fundraising best practices on their website.
Chamber Music America Chamber Music America develops and supports an evolving chamber music field through grant programs, professional development services, publications, networking events, annual conferences, and more.
Chorus America Chorus America is the advocacy, research, and leadership development organization that advances the choral field. We support and serve choral conductors, administrators, board members, and singers with tools, training, peer networking, and access so that choruses are better able to contribute to their communities.
Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design The Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) is a leadership initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Housing Assistance Council. Focusing on communities with populations of 50,000 or less, CIRD’s goal is to enhance the quality of life and economic vitality of rural America through planning, design, and creative placemaking.
Council on American-Islamic Relations The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a nonprofit, grassroots civil rights and advocacy organization. CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties organization, with affiliate offices nationwide, and provide community and youth development support.
Community-Centric Fundraising Community-Centric Fundraising is a movement to evolve how fundraising is done in the nonprofit sector and is grounded in equity and social justice.
Createquity Createquity concluded in 2017 and is now in an archival state. They provide resources and articles on important issues in the arts and how to support the arts equitably.
Dance/USA Dance/USA champions an inclusive and equitable dance field by leading, convening, advocating, and supporting individuals and organizations. Dance USA’s core programs are focused in areas of engagement, advocacy, research and preservation.
DataArts DataArts is a research, data, and analysis center that provides insights for arts and cultural leaders. Information can apply to building case statements for grants and funding.
En Foco, Inc. En Foco is a non-profit organization that supports contemporary fine art and documentary photographers of diverse cultures, primarily U.S. residents of Latino, African and Asian heritage, and Native Peoples of the Americas and the Pacific.
Fractured Atlas Fractured Atlas helps individual artists and arts organizations at every level of the cultural ecosystem, in every creative medium by providing fundraising tools, educational resources, and personalized support.
Grantmakers in the Arts GIA provides valuable professional development for arts grantmakers through conferences, workshops, and webinars; publications including the GIA Reader; research and policy work across the field of philanthropy; and online communication tools.
GuideStar GuideStar provides tax information on nonprofits, public, and private foundations registered with the IRS. This provides accountability and helpful information to learn more about grantmakers and which organizations they fund. Download a copy of their 990 Form and do some scrolling: it should include a list of organizations that have been previously awarded funds for a given year.
Hoosier Social Impact Fund (HSIF) HSIF is a Bloomington-based 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides small business loans to help South Central Indiana business owners grow their business. Their team of pro-bono consultants consists of current students and alumni of IU Kelley’s School of Business.
Indiana Philanthropy Alliance IPA is the largest network serving philanthropy in Indiana. We are a community of foundations, companies, and other social investors working together to lead change, increase impact, and improve outcomes for Hoosiers.
Indigenous Language Institute The Indigenous Language Institute provides vital language-related service to Native communities so that their individual identities, traditional wisdom, and values are passed on to future generations in their original languages.
National Association of Music Merchants Targeted towards instrumental music education programs (not choir and voice). Provides a variety of resources for music educators, including research on the impact of music education on students.
National Center for Creative Aging The National Center for Creative Aging continues to support and strengthen our shared work and mission through key capacity-building, education, and advocacy partnerships and initiatives in the field of creative aging.
National Council for the Traditional Arts The National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the presentation and documentation of folk and traditional arts in the United States. Annually, the NCTA provides performance opportunities for 1,100+ traditional artists, and presents public programs that serve an estimated live audience of 720,000 that reach an additional 4.4 million through radio, television and recordings.
National Equity Atlas National Equity Atlas is a database that contains data on demographic change, racial and economic inclusion, and the potential economic gains from racial equity for the largest 100 cities, 430 large counties, the largest 150 regions, all 50 states, and the United States as a whole.
National Network for Arab American Communities ACCESS is the largest Arab American community nonprofit in the United States. With 10 locations and more than 120 programs serving metro Detroit, ACCESS offers a wide range of social, economic, health, and educational services to a diverse population.
Native Arts & Cultures Foundation The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation advances equity and cultural knowledge, focusing on the power of arts and collaboration to strengthen Native communities and promote positive social change with American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native peoples in the United States.
Performing Arts Alliance The Performing Arts Alliance is the national policy advocate, leadership forum, and learning network for America’s nonprofit performing arts organizations, artists, and allies.
Project for Public Spaces (PPS) PPS brings public spaces to life by planning and designing them with the people who use them every day. Our knowledge, skills, and strategies equip people to fuel lasting change. Together, we create community-powered public spaces around the world.
Springboard for the Arts Springboard for the Arts' mission is to support artists with the tools to make a living and a life, and to build just and equitable communities full of meaning, joy, and connection. They provide a wide range of resources that deserve a deep dive!
The Arts Action Fund The Arts Action Fund is affiliated with Americans for the Arts. It is an advocacy group dedicated to advancing the arts in America.
U.S. Copyright Office This office maintains resources on the usage of copyrights and application process.
