Applications and access to all our grants are managed in our online system, accessed by clicking the “Grant Platform” button located at the bottom of this page. (The one exception to this is the Tennessee Arts Commission Arts Build Communities Grant; see note below for more information.)

If you are applying on behalf of an organization, all members needing access to the grant application should create a profile by either setting up their own account or being assigned an account by ARTSmemphis staff.

Returning users

Enter the email and password you used during the initial sign up. You can reset your password if needed.

New users

Click “create new account” and fill out all the required fields (marked with *). Once all steps are completed, you will receive an automated email to confirm enrollment.

Staff change

If you have new staff members responsible for submitting grant applications and information, get in touch with ARTSmemphis for assistance in creating new accounts.

Note

The Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant is offered by the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC), ARTSmemphis serves as one as the designated agency to administer the grant for West Tennessee. When applying for ABC, applicants will use TAC’s grant management portal.

There are several parts to the application process. ARTSmemphis is dedicated to streamlining the process when possible. Most of our grant applications consist of two parts: 1) submitting an LOI, which serves as an organizational profile and 2) completing the narrative application. In the case of ArtZone, the LOI serves as the first step in the review process to advance to the application.

LOI (Letter of Intent)

This serves as an organizational profile. Once your LOI information is entered, it is linked to your organization’s profile in the grant system that can be copied for other grants. Some of the information requested includes EIN, mission and vision statements , financial information, and demographics.

LIVEGIVEmidsouth

Organized by the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, this online database provides an organizational snapshot of hundreds of organizations in our region. If your LIVEGIVE profile is up to date, certain portions of our application process are waived to avoid repetition and to streamline our process. Please contact Aerial Ozuzu, Director of Grants & Initiatives at the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis if you require assistance creating or updating a LIVEGIVE profile.

Application

Depending on the grant, this is where you discuss the specific project for which you are requesting funding or, if requesting funding for general operating support, your programming in general. You will also discuss your programming’s impact. Additional required information varies for each grant.

Timeline and Deadlines

Each grant has a separate timeline that varies year to year. Once a grant is announced, the timeline and guidelines are available on our website and within the Grant Portal. Once an application deadline has passed, the application is closed and will not reopen; please be mindful of this deadline and plan accordingly to ensure all required documentation is uploaded and submitted BEFORE the deadline.

Communication, Questions, Concerns

We understand this process can be overwhelming. If at any point you have questions, concerns, special circumstances etc. please reach out. The earlier you reach out in the process, the better!

Review process

Once a grant application is received it is reviewed by ARTSmemphis staff, community members, and/or our corporate partners.

DEIA Commitment

ARTSmemphis envisions an arts community with abundant and inclusive engagement. As the primary arts funder in our region, we have a commitment to continually strive to increase funding to BIPOC-led and BIPOC-serving organizations. We define BIPOC-led & -serving as the CEO AND majority of board members are people of color and the majority of the organization’s participants are people of color. BIPOC-serving organizations are where the majority of participants are people of color. In FY2023 33% of funding went to BIPOC-led and -serving organizations with 14% of funding to BIPOC-serving organizations. We recognize we have a lot of work to do so this area is our priority for growth in our grant funding.

Award Letters

If awarded, you can expect to receive a formal notification in writing via email. Please pay attention to the grant process timeline on when to expect that communication.

Declination Letters

The grant application process is very competitive and as such, not all organizations receive funding. In the case that your application is declined, you will receive a formal notification via email. Please pay attention to the grant process timeline for each grant for when to expect that communication. We urge you to reapply for the same or other grants, as appropriate based on the eligibility criteria.

Feedback

In either the case of an award or declination, we strive to provide productive feedback to potential grantees. Please reach out to the grants team for any additional feedback.

Donor Recognition

As a grantee you must adhere to the sponsorship recognition guidelines as outlined in the grant agreement. Details regarding branding assets for ARTSmemphis, FedEx, AutoZone, First Horizon, and Tennessee Arts Commission can be found here. Recognition is expected to follow your organization’s standards for donor acknowledgement based on the grant value.

Ad Artwork

Recognize ARTSmemphis support in accordance with your donor recognition guidelines as appropriate for your grant amount. For ARTSmemphis ad artwork to use in your playbill or program, please contact Josie Ballin.

Events Calendar

To raise of awareness of and promote Memphis’ rich art ecosystem, all grant-funded programs, events, performances, and exhibitions must be listed on the ARTSmemphis events calendar. The calendar is used to identify events for weekly features and for social media highlights.

Memphis has a rich arts community, and we want to ensure that everyone is aware of the funding and other opportunities ARTSmemphis has to offer; your word of mouth goes so far! Please share with friends, colleagues, family, and others in your community. It goes a long way to help increase the support we offer because nearly all the money raised at ARTSmemphis is privately contributed by people and businesses in our community. Every dollar donated goes to grant making.

Newsletter

Stay in the know regarding funding opportunities, other resources, arts events and more by signing up for our newsletter.

Social Media

ARTSmemphis will regularly enlist the support of grantee organizations to promote events or activities that collectively support the arts sector. Grantees are expected to participate in these events when notified.

In 2022, ARTSmemphis facilitated the Arts & Economic Prosperity Study 6 (AEP6) in partnership with 86 local nonprofit arts and culture organizations to measure the social and economic impact of the sector in Shelby County. In addition to the study, AEP6 has customized a calculator for nonprofit arts and culture organizations located in Shelby County on behalf of ARTSmemphis. Calculate your organization’s total economic impact here.