Festival Grant

Arizona nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status, or units of government (local or Tribal) producing such festivals. For example, eligible organizations include local arts agencies, tribal cultural organizations, government departments or agencies, university/college departments, and other nonprofit cultural and social service organizations. Unincorporated organizations who are otherwise eligible may apply with a nonprofit fiscal sponsor. 

For the purposes of this grant program, a Festival is defined as an event that is a periodic—often annual—gathering or celebration that happens in a condensed period of time, featuring a varied and curated program of events, having an easily identifiable and unifying theme or specified focus. Eligible festivals must demonstrate a thematic emphasis on arts and culture in their programming. 

Festival activities must last a minimum of one four-hour day and may only span the duration of two consecutive weekends. Seasonal series of presented works are eligible activities. For this grant program, festival activities can include juried processes, but scholarships, pageants or standalone award ceremonies are ineligible. Please see a more detailed list of ineligible expenses at the end of this document. 

Festival grants support both in-person and virtual festivals. 

Applicants may request grant award amounts ranging from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $5,000.

There is no cash match required for this grant opportunity, however applicants should use the narrative sections of the application to justify their requested award amounts. 

In-person Festivals

Award Range: $1,000 – $5,000

Eligible Expenses:

• Contracted Artistic Services and Artist Fees: includes guest artist contractual fees including travel, lodging, and per diem expenses.
• Production Expenses: includes insurance, sound, lighting, and equipment rental and operation for the artistic project only.
• Space Rental: includes stage, space, or venue rental for the artistic project only.
• Marketing/Promotion: includes contracted graphic design services the purchase of advertising space and creation of digital and printed promotional materials for the entire event.
• Accessibility Services: includes closed captioning, interpretation, and translation services, visual enhancements, and listening guides. 
• Public Health and Safety Compliance: includes personal protective equipment, cleaning and sanitation services, and equipment/structuring to support distancing.

Virtual Festivals

Award Range: $1,000 – $5,000

Eligible Expenses:

• Contracted Artistic Services and Artist Fees: includes guest artist contractual fees including travel, lodging, and per diem expenses.
• Production Expenses: includes insurance, sound, lighting, and equipment rental and operation for the artistic project only.
• Space Rental: includes stage, space, or venue rental for the artistic project only.
• Marketing/Promotion: includes contracted graphic design services the purchase of advertising space and creation of digital and printed promotional materials for the entire event.
• Accessibility Services: includes closed captioning, interpretation, and translation services, visual enhancements, and listening guides.
• Public Health and Safety Compliance: includes personal protective equipment, cleaning and sanitation services, and equipment/structuring to support distancing.
• Digital Operations: includes fees related to video live-streaming services, access to webinar and conferencing platforms, closed captioning, translation and interpretation services, and digital ticketing/event management systems.

When you’re ready, click on “Apply Now” below. This will take you to the Submittable platform. You do not have to complete the application in one session; Submittable allows you to save a draft of your application and complete/submit it later.

Please review the FY2023 Festival Grant Guidelines thoroughly before beginning your application.

Download Grant Guidelines

Download Budget Form

Primary Staff Contact

Recorded Info Session

Originally presented on February 24, 2022, this information session offers viewers an overview of the Festival Grant program, including eligibility requirements, application questions, and review criteria.