ArtsHERE: Five Frequently Asked Questions

ArtsHERE is a new grantmaking initiative from the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with South Arts and in collaboration with the five other U.S. Regional Arts Organizations, including NEFA. ArtsHERE will invest in a range of projects from eligible organizations throughout the arts and cultural ecosystem that have demonstrated a commitment to equity within their practices and programming. These one-time grants will range from $65,000 to $130,000 and the deadline to submit a Statement of Interest for a capacity-building project is January 19, 2024. More information can be found on the ArtsHERE website and through the ArtsHERE Guidelines. 

Between the national ArtsHERE informational webinar hosted on November 30, 2023, and office hours, NEFA has received many questions from our constituents about ArtsHERE. You may also register for our information session on January 3 to connect with NEFA program staff about all things ArtsHERE. Here are five commonly asked questions that might be helpful to you as you fill out your Statement of Interest:

Five Frequently Asked Questions

1) What do you mean by capacity building?

The intent of ArtsHERE is to strengthen the capacity of organizations that are already engaging with underserved groups/communities to boost arts participation. In this context, capacity building moves beyond a focus on arts programs, such as putting on short-term events to bring in new audiences. Rather, capacity building seeks to create the conditions by which the organization is better positioned to sustain meaningful artistic engagement with underserved communities over time.

2) Are fiscally sponsored organizations eligible to apply?

No, only nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), U.S. organizations, federally recognized tribal communities or tribes, or non-federally recognized tribal communities or tribes that are also nonprofit, tax exempt 501(c)(3), U.S. organizations are eligible to apply.

3) If our organization has 501(c)(3) status but we have programming in pre-schools and K-12, is our organization still eligible for ArtsHERE?

Yes, if an organization is a 501(c)(3), they are eligible, though they should know that age alone is not a qualifier for underserved communities in this grant. Additionally, arts education organizations are eligible if they are not fiscally sponsored and not schools themselves.

4) Are organizations that work with colleges and universities eligible to apply? 

Yes, an organization is eligible if they are a 501(c)(3) and not embedded within a college or university. This means that the organization and the higher education institution may not be sharing resources, staff, space, etc. If an organization is embedded within a higher education institution and doesn’t have their own 501(c)(3) status, then the organization is ineligible.

5) What will peer cohorts look like?

Peer cohort convenings will be held monthly and virtually with the exception of one national convening, which will be held in person. Cohort participants will be given travel stipends to attend the in-person convening.

If you have any questions, please reach out to ArtsHERE@nefa.org or call 617-865-1825.