Grants for Artists & Organizations
Grantmaking has always been the cornerstone of our work. Since 1985, our top priority has been supporting artists and arts organizations in our community – awarding more than 7,000 grants worth more than $100 million.
In 2022, the Regional Arts Commission (RAC) of St. Louis granted more than $1.15 million in new grant funding for local artists and arts programming across the region. More than 90 arts programs and 85 individual artists receives direct financial support.
On Feb. 13, 2023, RAC will once again open applications for its Program Support and Artist Support Grants.
– View Workshop Schedule for 2023 Artist Support and Program Support Grants.
***PLEASE NOTE – Some workshops are for Artist Support applicants OR Program Support applicants ONLY, while some workshops are for both categories of applicants.***
– View Helpful Resources for 2023 Artist Support and Program Support Grants
Please Note: Additional granting opportunities will come from American Rescue Plan Act funding that is being directed to the arts and culture sector in St. Louis City, though grants utilizing these funds will be distributed using a different timeline and process. These details will be communicated separately. Learn more.
2023 Program Support and Artist Support Grant Workshops
To RSVP, click the workshop below and register at the link.
PLEASE NOTE: For the Program Support Grant Financial Statements Clinic presented by VLAA, you must email grants@racstl.org to schedule an appointment. This workshop is for Program Support applicants ONLY.
FOR ARTIST SUPPORT GRANTS
How to Write an Artist Statement
The Artist Statement Workshop is for Artist Support Grant applicants. In this workshop artists will learn how to put together an effective description (written or recorded) of your work.
Completing the Artist Support Grant Application
Feb. 13, 3-4 p.m. (Virtual)
The RAC Grants Team will walk you through the Artist Support Grant application and answer your questions regarding the application process.
FOR PROGRAM SUPPORT GRANTS
Completing the RAC Program Support Grant Application
Feb. 14, 3-4 p.m. (Virtual)
The RAC Grants Team will walk you through the Program Support Grant application and answer your questions regarding the application process.
FOR BOTH ARTIST SUPPORT & PROGRAM SUPPORT GRANTS
Basic Grant Application Writing for Program Support and Artist Support Grants
The Basic Grant Application Writing Workshop will provide the basics of RAC grant application writing, using best practices as the foundation. This session will provide an overview of the other workshops that take place in January and February.
Creating Your Narrative for Grant Applications
View Recorded Webinar and Download Presentation
The Narratives Workshop is for applicants who want to learn more about how to construct an effective grant application, including goals, objectives, and outcomes.
Building a Program Support or Artist Support Application Budget
The Budget Workshop is for both Program Support and Artist Support applicants who want to learn more about how to fill out the RAC application budget form. We will provide a brief overview of each of the budget forms. The rest of this hour-long workshop will be dedicated to your questions.
Artist Support Grants
Whether you are a content creator, visual artist, performer, musician, or anything in between, the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis is one the only organizations who support artists directly in our community.
Applications open Feb. 13, 2023 and close March 27, 2023.
Program Support Grants
Through RAC’s Program Support Grants, arts organizations across St. Louis receive the support they need for arts education, children’s programming, community events, festivals, and more.
Applications open on Feb. 13, 2023 and close March 27, 2023.
Helpful Resources:
General Operating Support Grants and Artist Fellowship Grants
There will not be a General Operating Support (GOS) application open in 2023. RAC will continue funding its 2019 GOS cohort as it moves to create new GOS guidelines for 2024. Additionally, we hope to bring back Artist Fellowship Grants in 2024. Please sure to sign up for the RAC e-newsletter and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news and information.
Becoming a Grant Reviewer
The Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis puts the public into public art. Based on their experience and interest, St. Louis City and County residents who nominate either themselves or someone else may be chosen to review and score RAC grant application submissions, intentionally encouraging community involvement and adding relevance and resonance to the process. Eligible reviewers receive an honorarium of $200 for contributing their time and expertise. Click here to nominate yourself or someone else as a grant reviewer.
We Are Committed to Transparent Grantmaking
For the arts and culture sector in St. Louis to grow and thrive, RAC must be more than just a funder of arts and culture — RAC must be a leader, an advocate, and a true partner with arts and culture organizations and individual artists, and a catalyst for change in the arts and culture sector.
Our core values embody our culture, spirit and dedication to living our mission. They keep us grounded and help us make good decisions about everything we do.
RAC seeks to make our review process as transparent as possible. Grantees can learn about the process through our information guidebooks, grantee workshops and our website. Grant review meetings are also recorded and shared through our website. Grant reviewer names are kept confidential until the review meeting but are listed on our website once grants are announced. Only the names of applicants that receive grants are announced and posted on our website. Applicants not recommended for funding are notified.
RAC is committed to openness in government and as a quasi-governmental agency, abides by the Missouri Sunshine Law. Once applications are approved, they become public record. To obtain records of grant applications, please email grants@racstl.org, giving RAC two weeks’ notice.