The Regional Partnership initiative is made possible in part by the Indiana Arts Commission , a state agency, with funds from the Indiana General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts .

South Shore Arts announces FY27 funding opportunities

As the Indiana Arts Commission’s Regional Arts Partner for Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties, South Shore Arts announces the funding cycle for the next round of organization and project grants.

Arts Project Support grants

Arts Project Support grants provide nonprofit organizations and public entities with funding to support a specific arts activity, such as a one-time event, a single production, an exhibition, an educational workshop, or a series of related arts activities such as art classes or training sessions.

The purpose of the program is to provide broad access to arts opportunities throughout the state. Applicants may request up to $4,000 to support their project, and there is no match requirement. Projects must occur between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027 to be eligible for FY27 Arts Project Support.

“Arts Project Support grants are a wonderful opportunity for Indiana communities to bolster and grow their creative activities,” said Miah Michaelsen, IAC Executive Director. “We encourage organizations and public entities to apply for funding to start new programming, expand existing offerings, or reimagine a community event. Arts and creativity help strengthen the fabric of Indiana communities, and we are proud to support the creative community development work that Hoosiers are doing in every corner of our state.”

timeline

Spring Application Cycle (Grant Period July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027)

  • Program Opens for Applications: January 2026

  • Draft Application Review Deadline: February 23, 2026

  • Application Due: March 5, 2026 by 11:59 p.m. ET
    Late applications are not accepted. All applications are final following the submission deadline.

  • Funding Notification: Summer 2026

  • Final Grant Report Due: July 2027

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Arts organization Support grants

Arts Organization Support grants provide annual operating support for the ongoing artistic and administrative functions of eligible arts organizations that align with IAC funding priorities.  The applicant does not request a grant amount. The grant amount is based on available funds, the number of eligible applicants, application score, the organization’s budget size (based upon the total cash revenue from the organization’s most recently completed fiscal year, minus capital), equity funding priorities, and budget size policy (IAC grant awards are no greater than 20% total revenue).

Arts Organization Support (AOS) aims to provide stable and consistent funding to arts organizations across varied geographies and budget sizes.  The program is open every odd calendar year, and applicants funded in this program will be funded for two fiscal years (FY26 & FY27).

AOS Program Goal

The goal of the Arts Organization Support Program is that a wide range of the state’s arts organizations can make high-quality artistic experiences available to both residents and visitors through equitably distributed and meaningful grant awards.


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