Special Opportunities – Arts Forward

Special Opportunities – Arts Forward is sponsored by Tennessee Arts Commission. This program offers flexible support for Tennessee arts organizations and local governments to strengthen operations and expand community engagement in the arts.

Special Opportunities - Arts Forward - Tennessee Arts Commission Special Opportunities – Arts Forward Support for nonprofit organizations and local governments to strengthen operations and expand community engagement in the arts; or for organizations and individuals to attend the 2026 Grantmakers in the Arts conference.

Non-matching Special Opportunities: Arts Forward grants (up to $5,000) are available to Tennessee arts organizations and local governments. Designed for flexibility, this program supports a wide range of activities—including technical assistance, small equipment or supply purchases, arts events in Tennessee communities, and participation in the 2026 Grantmakers in the Arts Conference in Memphis, TN.

Applicants are asked to identify appropriate, realistic strategies for strengthening their organizations or addressing challenges and opportunities, and to demonstrate readiness to carry out the proposed activity. Proposed projects should enhance the overall artistic, educational, and/or cultural value of the organization to its community and help maintain a strong infrastructure for the arts statewide.

The Tennessee Arts Commission encourages applications from any eligible organization from across the state, with special encouragement for those located in distressed, at-risk, and rural counties. Nonprofit arts organizations legally chartered in Tennessee, with headquarters and home season (or equivalent activity) in Tennessee, and holding IRS 501(c)(3) status.

Nonprofit non-arts organizations legally chartered in Tennessee, with headquarters in Tennessee, and holding IRS 501(c)(3) status. Entities of local or state government. Individuals who are Tennessee residents are also eligible to apply for the 2026 Grantmakers in the Arts Conference only.

Public K–12 schools are not eligible to apply for this grant program. Applicants are eligible for one Special Opportunities: Arts Forward grant per fiscal year — either a general project grant or the GIA Conference grant, not both. Organizations that receive revenue directly from a “New Specialty Earmarked Plate” under T.

C. A. 55-4-301(a)(1) are not eligible.

Proposed applications must involve one or more Commission-recognized art forms, including: visual arts, craft, media, design, music, theater, dance, folk and ethnic, or literary arts. Please see Legal Requirements for further details.

Debarment and Suspension: Grantees are required to sign contracts certifying, to the best of their knowledge and belief, that they and their principals/subcontractors are not debarred, suspended, or otherwise ineligible for federal or state funds.

Examples of Eligible Activities Organizations may apply for activities that include (but are not limited to): Short-term consultations or technical assistance (planning, board/staff development, marketing, accessibility training, financial management, technology, etc.) Engaging professional touring artists or groups for public performances and educational activities in Tennessee communities.

Arts participation projects such as community workshops, classes, or collaborative art-making activities that engage participants directly in the creative process. Small equipment or supply purchases tied to an organizational or project need (software must include training; routine maintenance is not eligible). Available to nonprofit arts organizations only.

2026 Grantmakers in the Arts Conference The 2026 Grantmakers in the Arts Conference will be held October 18–21, 2026 in Memphis, TN. Funding is available to organizations and individuals to help cover registration and related costs. Organizations may request up to $2,000 to support a minimum of two organizational representatives.

Individuals must be a Tennessee resident and may request up to $1,000. Registration rates vary based on GIA membership status and organizational budget. Early bird registration is available August 4–17, 2026.

General registration runs August 18–October 1, 2026. See the conference FAQ for current registration rates. Stipends: Applicants may request a $100 stipend for each full day of training (7 or more hours) and $50 for each half day (less than 7 hours).

Registration fees for the conference. Travel for registered representatives listed in the application (attendees are encouraged to carpool). All travel expenses must be approved beforehand and will require proof of receipt.

Eligible travel expenses include: Mileage reimbursement at $0. 70/mile, subject to change per State regulations. (Grantee must upload proof of Point-to-Point miles from departure location to destination.)

Airline tickets, baggage fees, and ground transportation. Long-term airport parking is reimbursed at the standard rate offered by the airport’s long-term or economy parking facility. Hotel: Applicant may request funds at the hotel rate indicated by the GSA per diem rates .

Individual applicants must upload proof of Tennessee residency (e.g., driver’s license or voter registration card) with their application.

Special Opportunities funds cannot be used for: Any project or activity currently funded through another Tennessee Arts Commission grant Routine operating expenses not directly tied to an eligible use Ongoing maintenance or website costs Any activity the Commission determines to be outside the scope or intent of this grant category Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted Funds are reimbursed to grantee after completing reporting requirements 2026 Grantmakers in the Arts Conference Organizations: Maximum request $2,000 Individuals: Maximum request $1,000 Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted Funds are reimbursed to grantee after completing reporting requirements How to Apply & Requirements Register to use the Online Grants System .

Register well in advance of your deadline; late registrations may delay your ability to apply. Complete the “Organization” and “People” profiles accurately. This information is used in application review.

Select “Apply for a ROLLING Grant” → “Special Opportunities. ” Complete all application fields and upload required attachments. Submit at least 30 days prior to the project start date.

Note: Forms do not auto-save. Always click “Save” before navigating away. Using your browser’s back button will exit the system and erase your work.

If you are associated with multiple organizations, check the correct organization name prepopulated in your application. Update if needed. Applicants must complete and successfully submit all sections of the FY2027 Rolling Grant Application, including required uploads, at least 30 days before the project start date.

Required Documents (Organizations/Entities of Government): Current bylaws (on file in Organization profile) IRS EIN (in the name of the applicant organization) Corporation Annual Report (TN Secretary of State “Printer Friendly Version” PDF) Current Board of Directors list including: Other biographical info should not be included. Commission funds may not be used to pay board members.

Required Documents (Individuals — GIA Conference applicants only): Proof of TN Residency (a copy of applicant’s Tennessee voter registration card, or a legal and valid Tennessee driver’s license) Applications are reviewed in-house by Commission staff. Funding notification will take place via email. Payment and Close-Out Requirements Grant funds will be paid as reimbursements after the activity.

Grantees must submit all required close-out paperwork no later than 30 days after the activity end date. Failure to do so may jeopardize future funding.

Applications will be reviewed for: Clarity and feasibility of the proposed activity Alignment with program purpose and eligible uses Demonstrated organizational capacity to complete the activity Potential impact on organizational strength and/or community engagement The Tennessee Arts Commission reserves the right to deny or withhold, in whole or in part, public funds for projects or activities deemed inappropriate or outside the scope or spirit of this program.

A completed FY27 Title VI training and certification must be completed before any grant funds will be disbursed. Non-Discrimination Statement All Commission-sponsored programs, services, and facilities are fully accessible to all Tennessee artists and citizens.

No person, on the basis of disability, age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other classification protected by Federal or Tennessee law, shall be given preferential treatment or excluded from participation in services, programs, or employment provided by the Commission and its contracting agencies.

If an individual believes they have been subjected to discrimination, they may file a complaint with the Civil Rights Enforcement Division of the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office at the Online Complaint Portal ; phone: 615. 741. 5825; email: CRED@ag.

tn. gov ; or by mail to P. O.

Box 20207, Nashville, TN 37202. All Commission sponsored programs, services and facilities should be fully accessible and compliant with American with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunication.

The ADA extends the requirements under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, to all activities of state and local governments and places of public accommodations operated by private entities, including places of public display. Resources to assist in meeting these requirements can be found on the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Accessibility Resources page .

Affirmative Duty to Report Major Organizational Change Any grantee shall promptly notify the State in writing of any significant changes in the organization’s structure, leadership, or financial circumstances that could affect services provided under the grant contract resulting from this application. General information, to determine eligibility to apply, and Performing Arts: Jared Morrison , Director of Performing Arts – jared.

morrison@tn. gov Shannon Ford , Director of Community Arts Development – shannon. ford@tn.

gov Chris Sweatt , Director of Arts Education – chris. sweatt@tn. gov Folk and Traditional Arts: Bradley Hanson , Director of Folklife – bradley.

a. hanson@tn. gov Lee Baird , Director of Literary Arts – lee.

baird@tn. gov Visual, Craft, Media and Design Arts: Krishna Adams , Director of Visual Arts, Craft, Media, and Design – krishna. adams@tn.

gov Kim Johnson , Director of Arts and Health – kim. johnson@tn. gov Address: 320 6th Ave N.

, Nashville, TN 37219 For accessibility accommodation requests including alternate digital formats, captioning, ASL, and assistive technologies please contact Kim Johnson, Director of Arts & Health, 615-532-9797.