ARTIST IN RESIDENCE GRANT – ORGANIZATIONS

About

The Artist in Residence Grant for organizations supports projects involving multiple encounters between teaching artist and students. This program may focus on strengthening fine arts curriculum as well as enhancing other academic disciplines. Projects must adhere to the  Missouri Learning Standards for fine arts standards and other learning standards if applicable.

Who May Apply

Nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for Artist in Residence Grants.

What and How Much We Fund

We offer two grant tracks: Express Grants and Annual Grants. The maximum Express Grant award is $4,000. The maximum Annual Grant award is $40,000. Grant funds may be used to pay people (professional teaching artist fees, artist’s travel expenses) and to purchase project-related materials and supplies. Funds cannot pay for equipment, food, beverages, awards, or event tickets.

Annual Artist in Residence Grants must be matched dollar for dollar. Express Grants do not require matching funds.

When It Happens

For FY27, all project funds must be spent between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027.

How We Make Funding Decisions

A panel evaluates and scores each application for artistic quality, arts learning, and management capabilities. Annual Grant awards reflect the score as a percentage of the request. Express Grant applications that meet panel approval will be fully funded at requested amount.

Application Information

Application Dates: Applications for Annual Out of School Grants for organizations take place once a year. The application deadline for FY27 was February 23, 2026. Applications for Express Out of School Grants for organizations are on rolling deadlines. Apply by the first Monday of each month, two months in advance of the month in which the project incurs expenses. For example, for a project that incurs expenses in May, the application must be received no later than the first Monday in March. If the first Monday is a holiday, the deadline is on Tuesday. We encourage organizations and schools to submit applications early.

You will submit an application through  Smart Simple, our online grant application program. You will give information in the following areas:

1. Applicant Information Name, ID numbers, organization/school details, grant program
2. Project Information Basic information about project; accessibility information
3. Participant Information Who are the students involved and why are they your focus?
4. Artistic Quality Elements of the project; teaching artists
5. Arts Learning Goals Supported by learning standards; evaluation and assessment tools
6. Administrative Ability Marketing, management, and finances
7. Students For nonprofit organizations only, information regarding your target groups
8. Budget Detail Program income and expenses
9. Attachments Teaching artist resume and letter of intent; support materials as needed; tax documents and board information
10. Compliance Statement (Authorizing official) Executive director or other appointment official with signing permissions