Best Grants for Dance Nonprofit Organizations in Arkansas

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

Women-identifying individual artists in the U.S., including those creating dance-related environmental projects in Arkansas, can apply for New York Foundation for the Arts’ Anonymous Was A Woman Environmental Art Grants, with awards up to US $20,000 to advance in-progress work. Grants support environmentally engaged art with free public programming between August 2025 and August 2026.

Arkansas arts and cultural nonprofits with audited expenses over $2 million can access funding through William Randolph Hearst Foundation to support impactful culture programs. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) institutions such as ballets, arts schools, museums, symphonies, operas, and theaters may receive more than US $100,000 for program, capital, limited general operating, or endowment support, especially for youth engagement and artist development.

Health and physical education professionals advancing measurement and evaluation, including those involved with dance education in Arkansas, may be eligible for this honor recognizing outstanding contributions to SHAPE America’s Measurement and Evaluation SIG. With a mission to advance professional practice and research, Society of Health and Physical Educators celebrates members’ leadership and impact in this specialized field.

With a mission to advance health and physical education research, Society of Health and Physical Educators provides Arkansas dance and physical education professionals with the Measurement and Evaluation Lifetime Achievement Award. Current SHAPE America members with a substantial scholarly record in measurement and evaluation, including work related to dance or K–12 physical education, may be nominated.

Current SHAPE America members planning projects that expand opportunities for girls and women in sports or dance can receive US $1,000 to support research, programs, or professional development across the U.S., including Arkansas. The Society of Health and Physical Educators’ NAGWS Legacy Award backs initiatives like after-school programs, leadership training, graduate research, or speaker support.

U.S.-based dance presenters, curators, residency directors, and current National Dance Project artist grantees can receive up to US $500 to cover travel for tour planning and relationship-building around NDP-funded works. New England Foundation for the Arts provides Arkansas dance organizations and professionals with support to visit potential partners, assess venues, and strengthen touring opportunities in the U.S.

Arkansas graduate students in dance, physical education, health, recreation, or related fields can access funding through the Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship, which awards US $1,750 plus a three-year SHAPE America membership. Eligible applicants must be SHAPE America members enrolled full time in a master’s or doctoral program with at least a 3.5 GPA.

Undergraduate students in Arkansas studying dance, physical education, health, recreation, or related fields can receive US $1,250 plus a three-year SHAPE America membership to support their education. Focused on developing future health and physical educators, the Society of Health and Physical Educators invites high-achieving SHAPE America members with junior or senior standing to apply.

Children and adults with cystic fibrosis in California seeking support for horseback riding, dance, swimming, or golf can apply for Loretta Morris Memorial Grants, offering up to US $750. Focused on active living, BreatheStrong CF pays approved awards directly to the designated activity provider or billing organization.

Native-led dance and other performing arts groups in Arkansas can seek funding for live productions, including theater, music, dance, and culturally rooted performances. First Peoples Fund’s Native Performing Arts Live Production Grant offers US $30,000 for U.S.-based Native performing artists and Native-led organizations or collectives presenting active-stage live productions with multiple Native artists.

Graduating high school seniors in New Jersey pursuing post-secondary arts education in dance, drama, visual arts, or music can apply for a US $5,000 Elaine Ehlers Arts Scholarship to support tuition. Grants from Arts Council of the Morris Area help students, including those focused on dance, further their artistic training beyond high school.

Arkansas dance organizations can access funding through the Arts Council of the Morris Area’s Eugenie Coladarci Arts Scholarship, which supports artistic excellence in dance, drama, visual arts, and music. Graduating high school seniors who are Morris County, New Jersey residents planning post-secondary arts studies receive $1,500 paid directly to their chosen college or arts program.

Professional dance companies, opera organizations, and classical music ensembles in Arkansas can seek project or general operating support for performances featuring works by younger or lesser-known living American composers. Focused on contemporary American classical concert music, the Alice M. Ditson Fund also accepts fiscally sponsored groups and projects involving live music for dance.

Graduate students from eligible Asian countries in arts and cultural fields, including dance, studying full-time in the U.S. can receive US $15,000 for travel and living expenses. Asian Cultural Council supports one academic year of coursework-based graduate study, which may benefit Arkansas dance-focused students enrolled at accredited U.S. universities.

Artists, scholars, and arts professionals in eligible Asian countries or the U.S. seeking support for dance-related or other arts research and cultural exchange can apply for the Individual Fellowship, which includes travel and tailored support services. Focused on cross-cultural arts exchange, Asian Cultural Council invites applicants to pursue self-directed projects in new or less familiar countries or regions.

Individual artists, scholars, and arts professionals in dance and related fields from eligible Asian countries can apply for Asian Cultural Council’s six‑month New York Fellowship to deepen their practice through cultural immersion in New York City and the U.S. Arkansas dance nonprofits may benefit by encouraging qualified Asia-based collaborators or partners to apply.

Graduate students in psychomotor measurement and evaluation at U.S. colleges and universities can receive support for professional expenses, including those whose work connects to dance and physical education in Arkansas. With a mission to advance health and physical education, SHAPE America provides this award to current members with at least one year of study remaining.

Individual SHAPE America members with at least ten years of membership and prior national recognition for professional contributions can be honored for distinguished service in health, physical education, dance, sport, or community health. The Society of Health and Physical Educators’ Luther Halsey Gulick Award recognizes leaders whose work may also impact dance education programs, including those in Arkansas.

Focused on curriculum and instruction research, this award invites SHAPE America members in Arkansas and nationwide who are three to six years post-doctorate to be recognized for impactful scholarship in health or physical education. Early-career researchers whose work influences teaching practice, including dance-related curriculum, may be strong candidates for this honor.

Arkansas health, physical education, and dance professionals who are long-term minority SHAPE America members may be eligible for the E.B. Henderson Award recognizing scholarship, mentorship, and service. This Society of Health and Physical Educators honor highlights efforts that increase involvement of ethnic minorities and underserved populations in school-based health, PE, and related fields nationwide.

The Curriculum and Instruction Honor Award, presented by SHAPE America, recognizes outstanding contributions to health and physical education curriculum research. This prestigious award highlights the importance of effective instructional practices that prepare students for active and healthy lives. Award recipients are selected based on their scholarship in health education and physical education, demonstrating commitment to excellence since the organization's founding in 1885. SHAPE America advocates for quality education and promotes the well-being of preK-12 students across the United States.

The SHAPE America Major of the Year Award recognizes exemplary undergraduate students in health, physical education, recreation, and dance. This prestigious accolade aims to highlight nominees who demonstrate academic excellence and commitment to service within their communities. Faculty members from colleges and universities are encouraged to nominate one outstanding student per major, ensuring that the next generation of health educators is celebrated for their achievements and contributions to the field.

The SHAPE America: Joy of Effort Award recognizes dedicated individuals who exemplify the spirit of commitment and passion in health and physical education. Awardees are current SHAPE America members with at least three years of membership, demonstrating excellence in teaching, coaching, or leadership. This prestigious award celebrates those who have made significant contributions to the field, inspiring others to lead healthy, active lives through their efforts in education and advocacy.

The Lazarus Family Scholarship in Bioethics and Humanities, offered by the AMA Foundation, supports students engaged in bioethics or the humanities, including art, music, and literature. This scholarship aims to foster the next generation of physician leaders by providing financial assistance to those who are committed to advancing health equity and community service. By recognizing diverse fields of study, it emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in medicine and the humanities.

The BTCF: Simple Gifts Fund Grant supports young artists aged 13-19 in the Berkshire Taconic region, providing financial assistance for summer enrichment programs in the arts. Established in 1998 in memory of folk singer Bill Crofut, the fund aims to empower youth through small grants that can cover costs for tuition, art supplies, or living expenses. The grant fosters creativity and personal growth, ensuring that young individuals have opportunities to pursue their passions.

What is Emergency Assistance Fund

Emergency Financial Assistance is available to eligible performing arts and entertainment professionals:

• In times of unexpected critical need.
• To assist towards basic living expenses, such as health care, housing and utilities to prevent eviction or shut-offs.

Hunter Brown Emergency Assistance Fund

The Hunter Brown Emergency Assistance Fund offers emergency financial assistance to current or former employees of Oregon Shakespeare Festival.