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.
Grant Cycles
RAC has implemented a Blackbaud product as our new grants platform, where applicants find, complete, and submit their application. Our previous grantmaking system was retired by the provider in 2020. All applicants will need to create a new account in order to apply. For technical assistance questions when using the grantmaking system, please email Blackbaud.
RAC encourages you to read and understand the RAC Program Support and Artist Support Grant Information Guides before accessing the online application. Also, please note that successful applications embody RAC’s values and our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Artist Support Grants
The Artist Support Grant application closed in March 2022. We thank all our applicants for their submissions! Grant announcements will be made in June 2022.
Please review the guidelines, eligibility, restrictions, and important forms and documents below.
Program Support Grants
The Program Support application closed in March 2022. We thank all our applicants for their submissions! Grant announcements will be made in June 2022.
Please review the guidelines, eligibility, restrictions, and important forms and documents below.
Helpful Resources:
- Program Support Grant Application Expense and Income Budget Template
- State of Financial Position Sample
- Program Support Grant Restrictions
- Program Support Grant Information Guide
- Program Support Grant Timeline
- Program Support Grant Application Webinar Recording
- Program Support Grant Application FAQ’s
- How to Craft Your Organization’s Financial Story
- Appeals Form
General Operating Support Grants
There will not be a General Operating Support application open in 2022. RAC will issue payments at 25% in December 2021 and at 50% in March and June 2022. We hope to share new GOS guidelines in early 2023.
Artist Fellowship Grants
We hope to bring back Artist Fellowship Grants back in 2023. Please continue to check your email, RAC website and social media for important announcements.
We Are Committed to 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.
Transparency and Communication
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.
COVID-19 Impact
COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the lives of everyone, including businesses and government structures. The Regional Arts Commission is no different. Ninety-seven percent (97%) of RAC’s income is derived from hotel/motel tax from St. Louis City and St. Louis County. With significantly lower occupancy levels caused by COVID-19 starting in March 2020, RAC has experienced a dramatic decrease in revenue. We do not expect a full financial recovery until 2024. While any revenue reduction impacts our ability to make grants, RAC remains dedicated to supporting local art and artists.