About Our Local Arts Grants Program
In the spirit of our mission to build community through the arts, we offer Local Arts Grants to provide access to quality arts experiences in Morris County communities. Each year, the program supports more than 1,500 arts activities and programs that serve over 100,000 children and adults.
This program is made possible by and is contingent on funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Local Arts Grant funding is available for Morris County organizations that provide the community with arts events that are artistically excellent, provide public benefit, and are accessible to the public. There are three types of grants available:
- General Operating Support (GOS) Grants for arts organizations.
- Special Project Support (SPS) Grants for other types of organizations that have significant arts programs.
- Mini Grants ($1,000) for art projects at new and emerging organizations. Organizations can apply for one Mini Grant per funding period. Mini Grants are intended as an introduction to the Local Arts Grant Program. A grant received in one year is no guarantee of subsequent funding.
Applications are reviewed by an independent panel and funding awarded on a yearly basis.
How to Apply
Current Funding Period: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025 (FY25)
Next Funding Period: January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026 (FY26)
Applications for FY26 will open in fall 2025. As it gets closer, we will provide an exact date and deadlines for FY26 applications.
Once available, the Local Arts Grant application must be completed online on our grant portal through Foundant. Applicants can register for a free account and edit and save their application until the deadline. In order to view the application, applicants must create an account.
Applicants must show the ability to complete all reporting necessary in accepting public funds by the deadlines specified, including a Local Arts Grant or Mini Grant application for funding, a commitment letter, and a final report (within 30 days of completed project).
Eligibility and Evaluation Criteria
Local Arts Grant awards CANNOT be awarded:
- To individual artists
- To those organizations funded by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts or any other county arts agency
- To pay administrative salaries
- For capital improvements, projects, or acquisitions, including the purchase of permanent equipment
- For hospitality costs and travel
- To replace deficits or funds normally budgeted for the requested program or project
- For the purpose of sub-granting to another organization
- For fundraising projects or events, or for scholarship funds or fellowships
Applicants are evaluated based upon the following criteria:
- Artistic merit of the applicant, its program and/or special project
- Ability of the applicant’s staff (volunteer or professional) and board to responsibly administer the organization and/or special project
- Demonstration of the applicant’s sound financial planning and management of financial resources
- Responsiveness to the needs of the community
- Outreach efforts to the culturally diverse, special constituency, and young (18 and under) audiences in Morris County, particularly in the past calendar year
- Efforts to comply with ADA standards
Questions? Contact Cyndall Brice, Program and Grant Manager, at 973-285-5115 x18 or cbrice@morrisarts.org.
Current Grantees
FY25 Grantees
We granted a total of $120,000 to 36 different organizations across Morris County for funding year 2025, and we can’t wait to see the incredible work they do. Find them online or follow them on social media to stay up-to-date on the arts events and programs they offer our community.
Resources for FY25 Grantees
Important Dates
Funding Period: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025 (FY25)
1st Payment Sent (75% of award): February 2025
Final Reports Due: January 2026
2nd and Final Payment Sent (25% of award): February 2026
Please note that Mini Grant awards are paid in full upon approval of application.
Crediting
All grantees must include the below logo and crediting statement from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts along with the Morris Arts logo on print, web, and digital materials for activities supported by funds from their Local Arts Grant or Mini Grant.
Crediting statement (should appear to the right of the NJSCA logo): Made possible by funds from Morris Arts, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Download logo files using the links below:
New Jersey State Council on the Arts Logo Files
All Morris Arts logo files can be found here.
The Local Arts Grant Program is administered in Morris County by Morris Arts and it has been made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.