Project Grants are designed to assist individual artists and cultural communities in developing, perpetuating, or presenting their own traditional art forms. They are available year-round, and are processed quickly to help communities and artists take advantage of timely opportunities. 

These grants target local grass roots organizations, both urban and rural, throughout the state. They were created to assist cultural groups in planning new projects and obtaining the seed money needed to leverage greater community support. They encourage greater local investment in traditional folk and ethnic arts. Ethnic communities, in particular, are invited to develop projects that revitalize, strengthen and present their traditional or national art forms in Utah. All applicants can receive advice and technical support from the Utah Arts Council staff throughout their project from project planning through completion.

Any kind of traditional or ethnic art that takes place within a community, family, or small group can qualify. Native American crafts, dancing, drumming and singing are examples of traditional arts. So are pioneer crafts like saddle making, rawhide braiding, quilting, whittling, rugmaking and other needle crafts. Traditional kinds of music and dance are also folk arts.  Ethnic arts—arts practiced by people who have a family or community heritage from another country—are important, regardless of whether the family has been in this country for many generations or has arrived recently. If the art form is traditional and occurs within a community, it may be eligible. Funding is not available to support arts forms based in historical re-creation or traditions borrowed from another culture or time.

Funding for Traditional Folk Arts Project Grants comes from a Folk and Traditional Arts Infrastructure Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Ethnic Arts Project Grants are funded with interest accrued from an endowment created in 1990 through a federal and state partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and the Utah State Legislature.

Fundable Project Types

• Grass-roots organizations are encouraged to strengthen the cultural heritage of their community or region by presenting events like festivals, exhibitions, concerts, etc.
• Project grants can also assist traditional arts groups or individuals that want to produce music CDs, brochures, pamphlets or other materials that document their artistry.
• Grants can be used to purchase tools and craft supplies, purchase costuming or performance supplies, or to further professional artistic development.
• Funds can be used for crafts demonstrations or performances at community events.
• Funds are available to document community-held traditions
• Other types of projects may also be considered. 

Eligibility

Individuals, informal groups, non-profit or civic (governmental) organizations may apply.  Projects must have a well-focused plan to reinforce traditional folk or ethnic arts and artists on a community level.  Applicants are also required to apply for a free Dun and Bradstreet DUNS number.

Award Amount

Traditional Folk & Ethnic Arts Project Grants are awarded as one-to-one matching grants in amounts up to $500.  This means that for a project costing $1,000 or more, the Utah Arts Council could consider funding up to $500.  (If, for example, a project cost $600, the Utah Arts Council could fund up to $300 or one-half the cost of the project.) Match can be made with cash or with in-kind income or services.  For assistance in understanding matching grants or for help in identifying your ability to match the funds requested, contact a Folk Arts Program staff member.

How to Apply

First, contact a Folk Arts Program staff member to discuss the availability of funding for your intended project.  Then either request an application form to be sent in the mail, or download an application from this website.  Completed applications must be received by the Folk Arts Program at least thirty days before your project will begin.  Notification of award will be made within three weeks of receipt and payment may take up to five weeks.  A valid social security number or employer identification number is required of the applicant and must be confirmed before funds are released.  (A photocopied picture of social security card or Internal Revenue Service letter granting tax exemption is needed for verification before payments can be made.)

Application Forms

Click on the type of document you want to download:
MSWord Document or PDF Format

Evaluation Criteria

Traditional Folk & Ethnic Arts Project Grants are reviewed by the Folk Arts Advisory Panel.  They will review the grants and recommend funding based on the following criteria:

• Artistic excellence
• Traditionality of the art form and of the practitioners (for Folk Arts project only)
• Community support
• Cultural diversity and geographic distribution represented by project applicants
• Track record of the individual or organization requesting funds
• The project’s likelihood of success

Administered through the
Utah Arts Council Folk Arts Program
617 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84102

Contact Craig Miller at cmiller@utah.gov or call 801-533-5760