Best Arts Grants for Nonprofits in Tennessee

Arts and culture nonprofits in Tennessee, especially those serving Middle Tennessee, can seek funding for programs that improve quality of life through arts, education, and health and human services. Grants from Ingram Charitable Fund help organizations in the Nashville area and surrounding counties deliver impactful, community-focused programming rather than support for individuals or private foundations.

With a mission to advance Southern vitality through the arts, South Arts provides Tennessee arts nonprofits and government or tribal arts units with up to US $1,000 for professional development. Funding supports conferences, workshops, staff-wide trainings, and related travel or consultant costs for smaller arts organizations seeking greater capacity and sustainability.

Nonprofit organizations and local government entities in designated Tennessee rural, distressed, or at-risk counties can receive US $1,000 - US $5,000 to deliver community-focused arts and cultural projects. Focused on arts and culture, Tennessee Arts Commission invites eligible applicants to build local capacity, develop leadership, and expand arts access in underserved communities.

Established 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Davidson County residents with arts and culture or related community programs can seek Frist Foundation grants to expand service capacity, strengthen sustainability, or improve technology systems. With a mission to strengthen Middle Tennessee, Frist Foundation provides Tennessee arts and culture organizations with project, technology, and selected operational support, prioritizing agencies serving underserved communities.

Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in youth education, environmental conservation, arts education, or community-wide human services can access funding through the Tucker Foundation for scholarships, capital projects, general operating support, and land conservation. Organizations in the Chattanooga/Hamilton County and Cleveland/Bradley County MSAs may be eligible for programs that help young people thrive and protect natural resources.

Literary Arts Project Grants

As part of its Literary Arts Initiative, South Arts is pleased to announce Literary Arts Project Grants supporting literary arts organizations and small presses that focus on contemporary literary arts.

These grants advance South Arts’ commitment to amplifying the literary traditions and artistic practices of the American South by directly supporting the development, production, and public engagement of high-quality literary projects.

Literary Arts Project Grants support projects in poetry, fiction, creative or literary nonfiction, young readers’ literature, and drama (scriptwriting). Projects must demonstrate artistic excellence, editorial rigor, and meaningful public or community impact.

Award Amount

South Arts will award up to $5,000 per project to eligible literary arts organizations and small presses.

Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering arts, cultural enrichment, or related community programs can seek funding to strengthen their work. The Assisi Foundation of Memphis supports organizations in Shelby, Fayette, Tipton, Crittenden, and DeSoto counties for initiatives in cultural enrichment, education, health and human services, social justice, and broader community enhancement that benefit the Mid-South.

Rural Tennessee hospitals and eligible 501(c)(3) or local government partners can receive up to US $25,000 to create or expand arts-based health and wellness programming. Tennessee Arts Commission funding supports projects like murals, meditation gardens, exhibitions, and artist-led classes that integrate the arts into patient, family, and staff care in rural hospital settings.

South Arts, Inc. offers Literary Arts Grants to support Southern independent publishers and small presses with funding up to $5,000. These grants aim to amplify contemporary literary arts and foster community engagement through projects like reading series and festivals. Eligible applicants must be based in the South Arts Region and demonstrate a commitment to advancing literary traditions. This initiative enhances access to the arts and promotes cultural vitality across the Southern states.

Individual writers and literary arts nonprofits in Tennessee can seek funding for contemporary literary projects, community engagement, and professional development. Focused on writing and literature, South Arts offers grants up to US $5,000 for creation, research, publishing, readings, festivals, podcasts, retreats, and workshops for Southern writers and organizations based in its nine-state region.

Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits and local government entities can receive funding for arts projects that enhance community vitality and engagement in urban counties. Tennessee Arts Commission provides Tennessee arts organizations with US $1,000 - US $18,000 for activities across disciplines, including performances, festivals, exhibitions, workshops, residencies, public art, accessibility improvements, and projects featuring professional and folk artists.

Eligible Tennessee 501(c)(3) arts organizations with budgets of at least $30,000 can receive operating support through the Small Urban Partnership Support program, up to US $45,000 with a 1:1 match. Focused on arts and culture, Tennessee Arts Commission invites nonprofits in designated urban counties to support ongoing seasons and core administrative expenses.

Tennessee K–12 public schools, districts, 501(c)(3) arts nonprofits, higher education institutions, and local government agencies can receive more than US $20,000 to build community-driven arts education systems. The Tennessee Arts Commission funds cross-sector partnerships for innovative K–12 arts learning, including workforce development, arts integration, professional learning, and projects using emerging technologies across Tennessee.

Nonprofit arts and education organizations, schools, libraries, higher education institutions, and local government agencies in Tennessee can seek funding for single, high-quality, hands-on arts education projects. With a mission to strengthen arts learning, Tennessee Arts Commission provides arts and culture groups with US $12,000 - US $25,000 for community arts learning, educator training, and out-of-school youth programs.

Local government entities and 501(c)(3) arts nonprofits in rural Tennessee counties can access funding to build, renovate, or expand arts and cultural facilities. Grants from Tennessee Arts Commission help Tennessee arts organizations improve stages, galleries, and other venues, including accessibility, technology, and infrastructure upgrades that support arts programming and community cultural life.

Local governments and Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits can seek US $3,000 - US $30,000 to use arts and culture for community revitalization and placemaking projects. Grants from Tennessee Arts Commission help Tennessee arts-focused organizations enhance neighborhood character, activate public spaces, and boost economic and community outcomes through creative placemaking partnerships.

Nonprofit organizations and local government entities in rural Tennessee counties can receive funding for arts projects that enhance community vitality and engagement. Tennessee Arts Commission supports visual, performing, literary, folk, media, and design arts activities, offering US $1,000 - US $25,000 for projects like festivals, exhibitions, public art, touring performances, workshops, and accessibility improvements.

Tennessee 501(c)(3) public charities and eligible government entities can seek program or project support for performing, musical, and related arts, with awards up to US $15,000. Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Ernest and Selma Rosenblum Fund for the Performing Arts supports arts organizations advancing exposure to and education in the performing arts.

Community arts nonprofits and eligible government entities in Tennessee can receive funding for visual arts, arts education, or art therapy programs, with awards up to US $15,000. Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee provides these grants to support organizations advancing creative expression and arts access through the CFMT William N. Rollins Fund for the Arts.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations offering arts programs or youth mentorship in Tennessee can seek support for creative expression, workforce development, or mentoring initiatives. Graham and Carolyn Holloway Family Foundation supports U.S. populations, prioritizing agencies within 25 miles of Nashville, and accepts LOIs and applications online on an annual February–March cycle.

Nonprofit and governmental arts presenting organizations in Tennessee can use this grant to cover staff or guest artists’ travel and registration for conferences, festivals, workshops, and other professional development or planning opportunities, with awards up to Up to US $1,000. With a mission to strengthen arts presenters, South Arts provides support for film, visual, performing, literary, traditional, and multidisciplinary arts organizations across its Southern region.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities in West Tennessee can receive funding to broaden access to arts experiences, address community quality of life through the arts, or strengthen cultural enterprises. Focused on arts and culture, ArtsMemphis administers the Arts Build Communities Grant in Fayette, Lauderdale, Shelby, and Tipton counties in partnership with the Tennessee Arts Commission.

Tennessee 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities planning public arts projects can access funding through ArtsMemphis for initiatives that broaden arts access, improve community quality of life, or support cultural enterprises in Fayette, Lauderdale, Shelby, and Tipton Counties. Grants up to US $5,000 support projects occurring between August 16, 2026 and June 15, 2027.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities in Tennessee can receive funding for community-focused arts projects, with awards up to Up to US $5,000. Focused on community arts and cultural engagement, Tennessee Arts Commission invites organizations to broaden arts access, address social issues through the arts, and strengthen local cultural identity and enterprises.

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.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organizations, government units, educational institutions, and fiscally sponsored emerging groups in East Tennessee can apply for East Tennessee Foundation’s Arts Fund grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $15,000 for two-year arts and culture projects. Funding supports cultural traditions, diverse artistic expression, public art, grassroots efforts, and outreach to underserved or historically underrepresented communities.