NEA FY 2027 Grants for Arts Projects Guidelines Now Available

Guidelines and application materials for the National Endowment for the Arts' principal grants category, Grants for Arts Projects, are now available. These grants support projects taking place in any part of the nation's 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. jurisdictions. Application deadlines are February 12, 2026, and July 9, 2026, for projects taking place beginning in 2027.

Activities funded through Grants for Arts Projects enable Americans throughout the nation to experience the arts, foster and celebrate America's artistic heritage and cultural legacy, and benefit from arts education at all stages of life. We also support arts and health programs, including creative arts therapies, that advance the well-being of people and communities.

The NEA welcomes applications from first-time and returning applicants; from organizations serving rural, urban, suburban, and tribal communities of all sizes; and from organizations with a range of operating budgets.

To simplify the application intake and review process, Our Town and Challenge America applicants will apply within the Grants for Arts Projects program and choose the "Design & Our Town" or "Challenge America" discipline. Other disciplines include Arts Education, Dance, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literary Arts, Local Arts Agencies, Museums, Music, Opera, Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works, Theater & Musical Theater, and Visual & Media Arts.

See the Grants for Arts Projects Program Guidelines for additional details, including agency funding priorities for FY 2027 and a series of short videos about the guidelines available for applicants.