The Tennessee Arts Commission announces availability of the Arts Build Communities (ABC) grants and will invest over $45,000 in East Tennessee arts projects and programs taking place August 16, 2019 through June 15, 2020. The funding, administered by the Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville, provides vital financial support for projects that broaden access to arts experiences, address community quality of life issues through the arts, or enhance the sustainability of asset-based cultural enterprises.

The ABC grants will be distributed throughout all arts disciplines as recognized by the Tennessee Arts Commission, including dance, music, opera/musical theatre, theatre, visual arts, design arts, crafts, photography, media arts, literature, interdisciplinary and folk arts.

ABC grants are available through the Arts & Culture Alliance for eligible organizations in Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, and Union counties. Applicants must be state-recognized, nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations or government entities and must be able to provide a dollar-for-dollar match toward the proposed project.

Awards range from $500 to $2,500.

The online application deadline is 11:59 PM (CST) on Monday, July 1.

A free grant workshop for interested applicants will be held on Tuesday, May 7, from 3:00-4:00 PM at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. Please RSVP and/or direct any questions about the grants to Suzanne Cada at sc@knoxalliance.com or (865) 523-7543.

Interested applicants may download grant guidelines and find more information by visiting the Tennessee Arts Commission’s website.

The ABC Grant Program leverages local dollars in communities served. In FY2018, $292,000 in ABC grants resulted in $2.02 million in additional investments with the vast majority leveraged by corporate contributions and earned income. A total of 448,554 individuals benefited from ABC activities, including 152,000 youth. An estimated 5,171 volunteers contributed 77,942 hours valued at $1.14 million. The ABC program is funded by the Tennessee Arts Commission through Tennessee’s Specialty License Plate sales.

The Arts & Culture Alliance serves and supports a diverse community of artists, arts organizations, and cultural institutions. The Alliance receives financial support from the Tennessee Arts Commission, the City of Knoxville, and First Tennessee Foundation.