On May 24, 2023, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced their second round of recommended awards for fiscal year 2023, totaling more than $103 million. Among this round’s recipients are 10 from Arizona!
“The National Endowment for the Arts is pleased to support a wide range of projects, demonstrating the many ways the arts enrich our lives and contribute to healthy and thriving communities,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “These organizations play an important role in advancing the creative vitality of our nation and helping to ensure that all people can benefit from arts, culture, and design.”
The NEA is committed to equity, access, and fostering mutual respect for the diverse beliefs and values of all individuals and groups. Applications for funding demonstrated a commitment by the arts and culture sector to provide more equitable and accessible pathways for arts engagement.
Grants for Arts Projects
Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) is the principal grant category of the National Endowment for the Arts. Matching grants range from $10,000 to $100,000, and are recommended for organizations in all 50 states, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington, DC. In July 2022, 1,927 eligible applications were received requesting more than $98 million in FY23 support. This round, 1,129 projects are approved for funding totaling more than $31 million.
Through this grant category, the NEA supports artistically excellent projects that celebrate our creativity and cultural heritage, invite mutual respect for differing beliefs and values, and enrich humanity.
Arizona Recipients
United Sound, Inc.
$18,150
Mesa, AZ
Musical Instrument Museum (aka MIM)
$25,000
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix Film Foundation
$15,000
Phoenix, AZ
Rising Youth Theatre
$15,000
Phoenix, AZ
American Literary Translators Association (aka ALTA)
$30,000
Tucson, AZ
Lead Guitar
$35,400
Tucson, AZ
True Concord Voices and Orchestra (aka True Concord)
$10,000
Tucson, AZ
Tucson Symphony Society (aka Tucson Symphony Orchestra)
$20,000
Tucson, AZ
Our Town
Our Town is the NEA’s creative placemaking grants program. Our Town projects advance local economic, physical, or social outcomes in communities, ultimately laying the groundwork for systems change and centering equity. Matching grants in this category range from $25,000 to $150,000 and support projects that will take place in 34 states. Of the 175 eligible applications, 57 projects are approved for funding totaling $4,175,000.
Our Town projects require a partnership between a nonprofit organization and a local government entity, with one of the partners being a cultural organization. Project-based funding will support activities that integrate arts, culture, and design into local efforts that strengthen communities.
Arizona Recipients
City of Mesa, Arizona
$75,000
Mesa, AZ
Change Labs Inc
$125,000
Winslow, AZ
In January 2023, the NEA announced their first round of funding for Fiscal Year 2023, representing $34 million in grants delivered across the country.
Banner photo: Musical Instrument Museum, ©2018
