Arts Works

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Art Works is the National Endowment for the Arts’ principal grants program. Through project-based funding, we support public engagement with, and access to, various forms of excellent art across the nation, the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, learning in the arts at all stages of life, and the integration of the arts into the fabric of community life. Projects may be large or small, existing or new, and may take place in any part of the nation’s 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.
We encourage applications for artistically excellent projects that:

Celebrate America’s creativity and cultural heritage.
Invite a dialogue that fosters a mutual respect for the diverse beliefs and values of all persons and groups.
Enrich our humanity by broadening our understanding of ourselves as individuals and as a society.
*1965 Enabling Legislation for the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965

Grants generally will range from $10,000 to $100,000. No grants will be made below $10,000. Grants of $100,000 or more will be made only in rare instances, and only for projects that we determine demonstrate exceptional national or regional significance and impact. In the past few years, well over half of the agency’s grants have been for amounts less than $25,000.