Community Cultural Connections grant program strives to make arts and culture more accessible to underserved populations in Hamilton County, Tennessee: geographic, ethnic, age, and individuals with disabilities.
Available to individuals, community organizations, government entities, neighborhood associations, ethnic/cultural organizations, emerging arts organizations, and faith-based organizations. 501(c)3 status is not required. ***Please note: The next review date is March 8th.
Community Cultural Connections Grant Priorities
ArtsBuild prioritizes and encourages projects that take place in the areas where we have not supported significant engagement over the past 5 + years. We have created a Google map with help from the Chattanooga Design Studio illustrating the geographic reach of our grantmaking, arts education, and arts leadership programs. We have used this mapping project to help us specifically identify the areas of our county that are currently underserved.
Follow the links below to take a look at the interactive program map and to learn more about the Programing Mapping project and specifics about the Rural Arts Challenge:
For questions, information and consultation, please contact:
Melissa Astin, Manager of Grants & Community Engagement
(423) 777-4214
Who is eligible to apply?
- Individuals (artists or individuals committed to furthering arts & culture)
- Government Entities (Cities and Towns in Hamilton County, Tennessee. Parks and Recreation Centers. Other Governmental Departments.)
- Neighborhood Associations
- Community Organizations (Social Service Agencies. Service Clubs.)
- Ethnic/Cultural Organizations and Clubs
- Emerging Arts Organizations or Groups (Mission includes providing programing for underserved populations and/or enhances our community by diversifying arts and culture opportunities in Hamilton County. This group may be a program within a non-arts organization.)
- Faith-based Organizations (Activities must be secular in nature and open to general public. Faith-based organization groups or clubs serving underserved populations.)
Who is not eligible to apply?
- ArtsBuild’s Mission Support grant recipients
- Schools (public, private, home school groups)
- PTA groups
- Organizations and groups based outside of Hamilton County, Tennessee
What types of projects are eligible?
Type of arts and cultural offerings funded may include, but are not limited to:
- Festival performances and exhibits
- Special performances and exhibits by residents
- Special performances and exhibits by performing arts and visual arts groups
- One day workshops
- Art/Cultural classes
- Trips to local cultural resources
Note: Arts & cultural offerings must be within the disciplines of:
- Visual Art: 2D, 3D, Projection, Installation
- Craft: Fine craft is about excellence working with a particular traditional material or medium.
- Media: Film or Photography
- Performance: Dance, Music Instrumental, Theatre, or Vocal
- Literary Arts: Fiction, Children’s /Young Adult Literature, or Poetry
What types of project expenses are eligible?
- Artist/arts organization fees
- Supplies/small equipment
- Transportation
- Rental fees
- Marketing
- Documentation
- Assessment tools
- Project Director fees (no more than 10% of total project)
What types of project expenses are not eligible?
- Permanent staff positions of an organization
- Capital improvements (buildings or construction)
- Major equipment purchases
- “Seed money” for starting new organizations
- In-school projects
- Fundraisers
Additional Grant Information
- All project activities funded through this program must be open to the general public.
- All artists engaged in projects must be approved by ArtsBuild.
- Participant and audience numbers must be tracked.
- Project expected outcomes must be stated and assessed.
- Project must be documented.
- Project must include publicity that recognizes ArtsBuild and the Community Cultural Connections grant program.
- Individuals granted funds will receive a 1099 and be responsible for paying federal taxes.
- Grants will be paid in two installments. A payment schedule will be outlined in the grant contract with 75% of project funding provided up front and the remaining 25% provided at the completion of the project and submission of a final report.