Regional Arts Councils

Non-profit organizations are the primary target audience for regional arts councils. However, most have some resources specifically for individual artists as well.

Arts Midwest - http://www.artsmidwest.org/
A regional arts organization primarily serving the nine states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. It provides funding, training, publications, information services, and conferences to arts and cultural organizations, artists, art administrators, and art enthusiasts. Arts Midwest is the Ohio Arts Council's regional arts service organization.
Of Special Interest:
Midwest Arts Conference http://www.artsmidwest.org/programs/mac/
Mailing List http://www.artsmidwest.org/downloads/mailing_list_form.pdf

Mid-America Arts Alliance - http://www.maaa.org/
In partnership with the six state art agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas, M-AAA stretches the boundaries of the "heartland" to include national and international programs and arts activity

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation - http://www.midatlanticarts.org/
Providing leadership and support through grants, technical assistance and information to artists and arts organizations in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands and West Virginia. Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation encourages arts access, expands audiences, connects Mid Atlantic arts nationally and internationally, builds arts appreciation, support and leadership, and supports professional artists.

Of Special Interest:
Newsletter http://www.midatlanticarts.org/contact/join_newsletter.aspx
DE, MD, NJ and PA Fellowships – Over $1,000,000 in fellowships is awarded
http://www.midatlanticarts.org/funding/artists_programs/fellowships/state_fellowships.html
State Fellowship Workshops
http://www.midatlanticarts.org/funding/artists_programs/fellowships/state_fellowships.html
Creative Fellowships – awarded annually to two artists from each of the member states
http://www.midatlanticarts.org/funding/artists_programs/creative_fellowships/index.html
Artists & Communities Residences – supports artist residencies
http://www.midatlanticarts.org/funding/artists_programs/communities/index.html
CAP/MEX/EX – Capital area visual artists travel to Mexico for residency activities
http://www.midatlanticarts.org/funding/special_projects/mexico.html

New England Foundation for the Arts - http://www.nefa.org/
NEFA serves arts organizations in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. NEFA supports programs in three areas: Culture in Community—advances partnerships between arts and non-arts entities; Creation and Presentation—enables the development and presentation of high quality artistic work by providing support to artists and their organizational partners; Connections—works to expand knowledge concerning the roles, practices, and social impact of the arts, and to evolve and support strategic collaborations that build practices and tools for the field.

Of Special Interest:
ArtistLink – This is a collaborative effort working towards improving resources for individual artists.
http://www.nefa.org/projinit/artistlink.html

Pacific Arts Councils Network – American Samoa, Guam, and Northern Mariana - It works to increase organizational capacity andcollaboration among Pacific Arts Councils.
http://www.prel.org/programs/pcahe/PTG/index.html

Of Special Interest:
Newsletter http://www.prel.org/programs/pcahe/PTG/pacifichappenings.html

Southern States Arts Federation - http://www.southarts.org/
SSAF serves state arts councils in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The SAF "...creates partnerships and collaborations; assists in the development of artists, arts professionals and arts organizations; presents, promotes and produces Southern arts and cultural programming; and advocates for the arts and arts education."

Of Special Interest:
Newsletter http://www.southarts.org/site/c.guIYLaMRJxE/b.1317539/k.2538/Newsletter.htm
SouthernArtistry.org – multidisciplinary showcase of outstanding southern artists
http://www.southernartistry.org/

Western States Arts Federation - http://www.westaf.org/
WESTAF serves Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Founded in 1974 as a private nonprofit corporation, WESTAF believes unconditionally in the cultural resources of the American West and works for the advancement of artists, audiences, and arts organizations in the region. This is accomplished by developing and coordinating unique projects and services across state boundaries and through the creation of partnerships between arts organizations and arts professionals.

State Arts Councils

State Art Councils and Commissions are major and underused resources that offer a broad array of opportunities and services for artists including: grant and fellowship opportunities with substantial monetary awards; artist registries; arts in education rosters; professional development seminars; grant application workshops, calls for entry; and employment opportunities in the arts, among many others.

Listed below by state is an alphabetized list of Councils with links to the website, newsletter, and grant guidelines for each. However, be sure to fully explore the website of your state’s council. More than likely, you’ll be amazed at the resources they have available for you. In some cases, I could not determine if individual artist grants are made or if a newsletter is published. If you have any questions at all, just check the staff directory on the agency’s website for contact information. They will be more than happy to assist you.

Information about Regional Arts Councils will be posted tomorrow.

Alabama State Council on the Arts http://www.arts.state.al.us/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.arts.state.al.us/grants/GrantDeadlines2004-2006.html
Newsletter http://www.arts.state.al.us/library/index-library.html#Alabama%20Arts

Alaska State Council on the Arts http://www.eed.state.ak.us/aksca/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.eed.state.ak.us/aksca/grants.htm
Newsletter http://www.eed.state.ak.us/aksca/news3.htm

Arizona Commission on the Arts http://www.azarts.gov/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.azarts.gov/artists/grants.htm#
Newsletter http://www.azarts.gov/news/index.htm#news

Arkansas Arts Council http://www.arkansasarts.com/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.arkansasarts.com/grants/
Newsletter http://www.arkansasarts.com/newsletter/

California Arts Council http://www.cac.ca.gov/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.cac.ca.gov/100/
Newsletter http://www.cac.ca.gov/268/

Colorado Council on the Arts http://www.coloarts.state.co.us/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.coloarts.state.co.us/grants/
Newsletter Contact the Council to inquire if one is available

Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism
http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/cwp/view.asp?a=2076&q=302208&CCTNAV_GID=1605
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/taxonomy/taxonomy.asp?DLN=43584&cctNav=43584
Newsletter
http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/cwp/view.asp?a=2271&q=307428&cctPNavCtr=#45868

Delaware Division of the Arts http://www.artsdel.org/default.shtml
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.artsdel.org/grants/default.shtml
Newsletter http://www.artsdel.org/default.shtml (scroll to bottom of page)

Florida Division of Cultural Affairs http://www.florida-arts.org/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.florida-arts.org/resources/individualartist.htm
Newsletter http://www.florida-arts.org/news/InformationalMemo.htm

Georgia Council for the Arts http://www.gaarts.org/home.asp
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.gaarts.org/programs_guidelines.asp
Newsletter http://www.gaarts.org/news_newsletter.asp
It was unclear to me whether or not they make awards to individuals

Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts
http://www.state.hi.us/sfca/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.state.hi.us/sfca/grants.php?article_id=23
Newsletter http://www.hawaii.gov/sfca/articles.php?article_id=140

Idaho Commission on the Arts http://www.arts.idaho.gov/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.arts.idaho.gov/grants/overview.aspx
Newsletter http://www.arts.idaho.gov/community/cdnewsletter.aspx

Illinois Arts Council http://www.state.il.us/agency/iac/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.state.il.us/agency/iac/DLINES.HTM
Newsletter http://www.state.il.us/agency/iac/NEWSLTR/Newsltr.htm

Indiana Arts Commission http://www.in.gov/arts/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.in.gov/arts/grants/
Newsletter http://www.in.gov/arts/publications/artsinform/index.html

Iowa Arts Council http://www.iowaartscouncil.org/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.iowaartscouncil.org/funding/artist-project-grant/index.shtml
Newsletter
http://www.iowaartscouncil.org/publications_&_resources/iowa-arts-news/index.htm

Kansas Arts Commission http://arts.state.ks.us/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://arts.state.ks.us/programs.html
Newsletter http://arts.state.ks.us/newsletters.html

Kentucky Arts Council http://artscouncil.ky.gov/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/apformsx.htm
Newsletter http://artscouncil.ky.gov/IArtists/ART_MayJun07.pdf

Louisiana Division of the Arts http://www.crt.state.la.us/arts/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.crt.state.la.us/arts/ApplyForAGrant.shtml
Newsletter http://www.crt.state.la.us/arts/eNewsletter/CurrentNewsletter.htm

Maine Arts Commission http://mainearts.maine.gov/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://mainearts.maine.gov/Grants/index.shtml
Newsletter http://mainearts.maine.gov/news/newsletter/2006-3/index.shtml

Maryland State Arts Council
http://mainearts.maine.gov/news/newsletter/2006-3/index.shtml
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.msac.org/grants.cfm?sec=Grants&id=61
Newsletter http://www.msac.org/news_detail.cfm?sec=news&id=42&nid=104

Massachusetts Cultural Council http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/programs/artistgrants.html
Newsletter http://www.patronmail.com/pmailweb/PatronSetup?oid=945

Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs
http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17445_19272---,00.html
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-18833_18834---,00.html
Newsletter Contact the Council to inquire if one is available

Minnesota State Arts Board http://www.arts.state.mn.us/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.arts.state.mn.us/grants/artists.htm
Newsletter Contact the Board to inquire if one is available

Mississippi Arts Commission http://www.arts.state.ms.us
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.arts.state.ms.us/grants/for-individuals.php
Newsletter: http://www.arts.state.ms.us/fallnewsletter2003.pdf

Missouri Arts Council http://www.missouriartscouncil.org/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.missouriartscouncil.org/html/funding.shtml
NOTE: Does not appear to make grants to individual artists – however, inquire anyway
Newsletter http://www.marketvolt.com/CustApp/custnew.asp?accountid=327&AX=16461760


Montana Arts Council http://art.mt.gov/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://art.mt.gov/artists/artists.asp
Newsletter http://art.mt.gov/soa/listing.asp

Nebraska Arts Council http://www.nebraskaartscouncil.org/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.nebraskaartscouncil.org/index_html?page=content/GRANTS/GList
Newsletter http://www.nebraskaartscouncil.org/index_html?page=content/NEWS/newsPage

Nevada Arts Council http://dmla.clan.lib.nv.us/docs/arts/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://dmla.clan.lib.nv.us/docs/arts/programs/grants/grantsforartists.htm
Newsletter http://dmla.clan.lib.nv.us/docs/arts/news/

New Hampshire State Council on the Arts http://www.nh.gov/nharts/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.nh.gov/nharts/grants/artists/index.htm
Newsletter http://www.nh.gov/nharts/newsandcalendar/e-news/index.htm

New Jersey Council of the Arts http://www.njartscouncil.org/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.njartscouncil.org/grant.cfm
Newsletter http://www.njartscouncil.org/news_enews_newsletter.cfm

New Mexico Arts Commission http://www.nmarts.org/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.nmarts.org/grants_programs.html
Newsletter Contact the Council to inquire if one is available

New York State Council on the Arts http://www.nysca.org/public/home.cfm
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.nysca.org/public/grants/index.htm
Newsletter Contact the Council to inquire if one is available

North Carolina Arts Council http://www.ncarts.org/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.ncarts.org/grants_resources.cfm?menu_sel=4
Newsletter http://www.ncarts.org/subscribe_form.cfm

North Dakota Council on the Arts http://www.nd.gov/arts/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.nd.gov/arts/grants/grants.htm
Newsletter http://www.nd.gov/arts/newsletters/newsletters.htm

Ohio Arts Council http://www.oac.state.oh.us/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.oac.state.oh.us/grantsprogs/grants.asp
Newsletter http://www.oac.state.oh.us/News/artsohio.asp

Oklahoma Arts Council http://www.arts.ok.gov/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.arts.ok.gov/grants.html
Newsletter http://www.arts.ok.gov/news/pubs.html

Oregon Arts Commission http://www.oregonartscommission.org/main.php
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.oregonartscommission.org/grants/
Newsletter http://www.oregonartscommission.org/about/contact_us.php

Pennsylvania Council on the Arts http://www.pacouncilonthearts.org/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.pacouncilonthearts.org/pca.cfm?id=9&level=Third
Newsletter Contact the Council to inquire if one is available

Rhode Island State Council on the Arts http://www.arts.ri.gov/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.arts.ri.gov/grants/index.php
Newsletter http://www.arts.ri.gov/news/index.php

South Carolina Arts Commission http://www.southcarolinaarts.com/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.southcarolinaarts.com/grants/artists/index.shtml
Newsletter http://www.southcarolinaarts.com/enews/index.shtml

South Dakota Arts Council http://www.artscouncil.sd.gov/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.artscouncil.sd.gov/grants.htm
Newsletter http://www.sdarts.org/email_form.htm

Tennessee Arts Commission http://www.arts.state.tn.us/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.arts.state.tn.us/grant_categories.htm
Newsletter – Quarterly http://www.arts.state.tn.us/arts_tn_form.htm
Newsletter - Weekly
https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:Join/signupId:1229/pvtGroups:14800/page_id:Signup

Texas Commission on the Arts http://www.arts.state.tx.us/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.arts.state.tx.us/tca/fas.asp
Newsletter http://www.arts.state.tx.us/artstexas/manage/subscribe.asp

Utah Arts Council http://arts.utah.gov/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://arts.utah.gov/funding/funding_for_artists.html
Newsletter http://rss.dced.utah.gov/ee/index.php/arts_news/index/

Vermont Arts Council http://www.vermontartscouncil.org/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.vermontartscouncil.org/Grants/ForArtists/tabid/147/Default.aspx
Newsletter http://www.vermontartscouncil.org/ArtMail/tabid/37/Default.aspx

Virginia Commission for the Arts http://www.arts.virginia.gov/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.arts.virginia.gov/forms/index.html
Newsletter http://www.arts.virginia.gov/news/index.html

Washington State Arts Commission http://www.arts.wa.gov/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.artisttrust.org/
Newsletter http://www.arts.wa.gov/progNews/eNews/June-07-eNews.htm

West Virginia Division of Culture and History
http://www.wvculture.org/arts/artsindex.aspx
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://www.wvculture.org/arts/grantsindex.html
Newsletter http://www.wvculture.org/arts/Artworks/index.html

Wisconsin Arts Board
http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-18833_18834---,00.html
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://artsboard.wisconsin.gov/static/programs.htm
Newsletter http://artsboard.wisconsin.gov/static/wiscnews.htm

Wyoming Arts Council http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/
Grant Deadlines, Policies, Guidelines, Application Form
http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/WACGrants2006.htm
Newsletter Contact the Council to inquire if one is available