Who We Fund

We provide funding for quality arts programming to eligible applicants that include (but are not limited to) arts or arts education organizations, chambers of commerce, public libraries, government agencies, youth organizations, public school districts, private PK-12 schools, community arts organizations, social service organizations, colleges and universities, and religious organizations.

What We Fund

Missouri Arts Council funds may be used for artist fees, artist travel expenses, marketing arts events, project-related educational materials, and more. For detailed information on eligibility and fundable projects, consult the FY2025 Guide to Grants.

Where to Apply

Apply through our Online Grants Application and Management System. You will first need to register.

How to Get Help

For personalized help with your questions, ask one of  our program specialists.

Applications for Annual Grants are accepted and award amounts are determined once a year. We award Annual Grants in the categories of arts councils, arts education, folk arts, organizations of color, partnership, and our largest grant program, discipline. Discipline includes dance, media, festivals, literature, multidiscipline, music, theatre, and visual arts.

For more information, review the FY2025 Guide to Grants as well as the FY2025 Instructions for Annual Discipline Application or the FY2025 Guide to Arts Education Grants.

For projects occurring July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, the deadline for final applications was February 26, 2024.

FY2025 Annual Grants Guidelines and Supplemental Materials 

Guidelines

Supplemental Materials

Express Grants are designed to encourage small and emerging arts organizations and organizations based in rural communities to seek financial assistance for arts activities.

Express Grants applications are accepted and award amounts are determined on a rolling basis throughout the year. We are currently accepting applications for Express Project and Express Touring programs for FY2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025).

The deadline for applications is at 11:59 p.m. on the first Monday of the 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 to submit applications early, as Express funding is limited.

FY2025 Express Grants Guidelines and Supplemental Materials

Guidelines

Supplemental Materials

Required

The Interim Report, Grant Agreement, and Final Report are located in our  Online Grants Application and Management System.

ATTENTION: Save the Invoice PDF document onto your computer, then open and complete the form. If you complete the invoice in a browser, you will lose the data, or the calculation function will not work properly. Also, make sure that you are using up-to-date  Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software.

Supplemental Documents

Our most recent application window for the Missouri Touring Performers Directory has closed. For notice of future application windows, interested artists should  sign up for our emails here.

School Touring Qualified

Applications to become School Touring Qualified are accepted throughout the year. The selection process for becoming School Touring Qualified is independent of the process for being listed on the Missouri Touring Performers Directory. Applicants for School Touring Qualified need not apply for or already be listed on the Missouri Touring Performers Directory.

When your organization publicly recognizes Missouri Arts Council funding, you help us obtain the state and federal funds that support your organization.

Organizations that receive our funding must recognize our support wherever possible with the inclusion of our logo and this credit line: With public support from the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. Communications methods where our logo and credit line should appear may include news releases, print publications, advertising, and online presences including your social media and website.

On Facebook, please tag us with @Missouri Arts Council. On your website, in the credit line and/or on the logo, link to our website (https://www.missouriartscouncil.org).

Verbal acknowledgement should be given whenever there are no printed or online materials and during any interviews with the media.

When federal funding is indicated on your grant agreement, your organization must also credit the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for support.

To download our logo in JPG, PNG, and Adobe Illustrator formats, see  Guidelines and Downloads for Missouri Arts Council Logos.

To check on the NEA’s credit requirements and download the NEA logo in JPG, PNG, and EPS formats, see the  NEA’s website.