Best Grants for Visual Artists in Tennessee

Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on economic and workforce advancement, safe and affordable housing, or community arts and culture can access funding through US Bancorp Foundation’s Community Possible Grant Program. Organizations, including those supporting visual arts, may submit a letter of interest or be invited as established partners, with priority for groups led by people of color in designated U.S. Bank communities.

The Costco Wholesale Charitable Contributions program prioritizes support for children, education, and health services within local communities. Nonprofit organizations seeking assistance must be 501(c)(3) certified and focus on monetary requests. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, factoring in community needs and collaboration. However, Costco limits grants to 10% of the program budget and typically restricts organizations to one request per fiscal year. They do not fund individuals or direct aid for various specific purposes.

501(c)(3) nonprofits worldwide, including those in Tennessee, can apply for DanPaul Foundation grants of up to US $15,000 to support youth health, education, development, and welfare programs. Funding may benefit projects in child advocacy, homelessness, poverty alleviation, refugee enrichment, environmental education, and related services for children and young people.

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

Tennessee educational institutions, government programs, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and 501(c)(4) volunteer fire companies can apply for State Farm Companies Foundation’s Good Neighbor Citizenship grants supporting safety, education, and community development initiatives. Visual arts organizations may be eligible if their projects advance auto or home safety, disaster preparedness or recovery, neighborhood revitalization, financial literacy, or education outcomes.

Nonprofit organizations working on health, education, or community programs in Tennessee can access funding through Labcorp Charitable Foundation to expand services and support local residents. Grants may benefit visual arts groups that incorporate STEM education, community engagement, or wellness initiatives. Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations or have charitable equivalency status.

The PNC Foundation aims to enhance the lives of individuals in local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Their focus includes promoting educational opportunities, particularly for early childhood education, and supporting economic development initiatives. Grants are available for organizations that benefit low- to moderate-income families and enhance community growth. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster sustainability and diversity, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities they serve.

With a mission to advance Southern vitality through the arts, South Arts provides Tennessee arts organizations with up to US $1,000 for professional development. Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government or tribal arts entities with budgets under $500,000 can fund staff or board training, conferences, workshops, travel, and consultant-led learning tied to their arts programming.

Accredited charities running arts, culture, education, environmental, or humanitarian projects in Tennessee and worldwide can apply for Roche’s philanthropic support. Focused on impactful, sustainable initiatives, Roche prioritizes innovative, high-quality programs in areas like contemporary visual arts, youth education, community development, and disaster relief that allow collaboration with local Roche affiliates and engage Roche employees.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and aligned for-profits seeking support to tell impactful stories about their work can apply for the Storytelling Grant, with awards of more than US $50,000. Focused on preservation, education, and wellness, Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation invites applicants nationwide, including Tennessee groups, to showcase their community impact through compelling narrative and media projects.

The Georgia-Pacific Foundation Grant supports organizations in the Metro Atlanta area, focusing on education, entrepreneurship, community enrichment, and environmental sustainability. Established in 1958, the foundation prioritizes investments that align with its mission and values, promoting long-term well-being within communities where Georgia-Pacific operates. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public schools, and local government entities located within 30 miles of GP manufacturing sites.

The TJX Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations located within 15 miles of a TJX store that align with their community mission. Eligible areas include basic needs, education for at-risk youth, workforce training, and safety from domestic violence. Organizations must be a registered 501(c)(3) for at least 12 months and have a nondiscrimination policy. Applications are invited through a Letter of Inquiry, with funding decisions based on community impact.

Nonprofit organizations in Tennessee and across the U.S. can seek funding for museums, cultural and performing arts programs, education, community services, environmental and wildlife activities, and more. The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation provides US $1,000 - US $20,000, which may benefit visual arts groups whose work fits these broader program areas.

Rural Tennessee hospitals and eligible 501(c)(3) or local government entities can receive up to US $25,000 to create or expand arts-based health and wellness programming. Tennessee Arts Commission’s Tennessee Arts & Rural Health Initiative funds visual, music, dance, and literary arts projects in rural hospitals, which may include murals, meditation gardens, exhibitions, or artist-led classes for patients, families, and staff.

Nonprofit organizations and local government entities in Tennessee’s urban counties can receive US $1,000 - US $18,000 to support visual arts and other arts projects that build community vitality and engagement. Tennessee Arts Commission funding can cover exhibitions, festivals, workshops, public art, touring projects, accessibility improvements, and related administrative or technical support costs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on basic needs, community vitality, or volunteer-driven programs in Tennessee can apply for Ameriprise Financial’s national community grants. Focus areas include hunger relief, shelters and supportive housing, financial literacy, workforce readiness, and cultural enrichment, which may benefit visual arts nonprofits offering arts education or access for underserved audiences.

Tennessee K–12 public schools, districts, 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organizations, higher education institutions, and local government agencies can access funding to build sustainable, community-driven arts education systems. The Tennessee Arts Commission’s Arts Education Community Impact Grant supports cross-sector partnerships for innovative arts learning, workforce development, arts integration, and professional learning across Tennessee, including visual arts initiatives. Awards are more than US $20,000.

Nonprofit organizations and local government entities in Tennessee rural counties can receive funding for arts projects across disciplines that build community vitality and engagement. Tennessee Arts Commission supports visual and fine arts in Tennessee by backing exhibitions, festivals, performances, artist residencies, public art, accessibility improvements, and related administrative or technical support. Awards range from US $1,000 - US $25,000.

Tennessee 501(c)(3) public charities and government entities can seek funding for visual arts, arts education, or art therapy programs, with grants up to US $15,000. Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s William N. Rollins Fund for the Arts supports organizations advancing visual arts and related educational or therapeutic initiatives in the state.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations can seek project funding in education, social services, health care, civic and cultural, or environmental programs, including work benefiting visual artists in Tennessee. Grants from Dr Scholl Foundation help U.S. organizations with one-year initiatives, offering US $5,000 - US $25,000 for eligible projects rather than general operating support.

Nonprofit and governmental arts presenting organizations in Tennessee can use these grants for staff travel, conferences, festivals, workshops, and other professional development or artistic planning needs. With a mission to strengthen Southern presenters, South Arts provides support up to US $1,000 for visual, film, performing, literary, traditional, and multidisciplinary arts organizations.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

Non-sectarian nonprofits addressing disadvantage, poverty, disability, social services, or disaster relief in Tennessee and other eligible countries can seek US $5,000 - US $250,000 to help people become self-reliant. With a mission to support focused interventions for disadvantaged people, Gupta Family Foundation provides annual and multi-year grants to smaller organizations, typically 501(c)(3)s.

Focused on contemporary visual art, this program invites Tennessee visual artists and artist collectives to propose innovative, public-facing projects; awards US $7,500 for project expenses. Eligible applicants are 21 or older, working in 2-D, 3-D, or 4-D media, and creating new work that engages Tennessee communities.

South Arts Inc

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, South Arts is a nonprofit regional arts organization empowering artists, organizations, and communities, and increasing access to arts and culture.

In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the State Arts Agencies of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee — with additional funding from other public and private donors such as the Doris Duke Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and Mellon Foundation — South Arts supports artists and organizations through a rich and responsive portfolio of grants, fellowships, and programs. Why? Because South Arts believes that the arts elevate the region, increasing connectedness and inspiring meaningful change in the process.

Our mission: Advancing Southern vitality through the arts.

Arts in Community Grants

Program Description

Arts in Community Grants are designed to support deeper engagements between Southern communities and artists. Through these grants supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, we aim to increase access to the arts, expand audiences for artists, and broaden our reach. Eligible projects require a Southern artist/company visiting another Southern state for public activities, offering access to arts programming by professional artists. Funding supports Southern film directors, traditional artists, visual artists, performing artists, or writers:

• film (documentary, fiction, experimental, and animation),
• traditional arts (music, dance, storytelling, and visual arts/crafts),
• visual arts (crafts, drawing, experimental, painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media),
• performing arts (theater, music, opera, musical theater, and dance), and
• literary arts (fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry).

Projects require an artist or artist ensemble and a host or partner organization. Project must include at least two in-person or live, virtual public activities – both a public presentation (a film screening, performance, reading, or exhibition) and an educational/community engagement activity (a workshop, demonstration, lecture, facilitated discussion, or master class). The grant requires a dollar-for-dollar cash match.