A one-time investment of $5 million in support of Arizona’s arts sector is awarding grants to statewide nonprofit organizations, festivals, and arts learning programs.

The Arizona Commission on the Arts, a state agency, announced 367 grant awards totaling $5.4 million. Grants were awarded to an array of organizations and programs, from world-class museums to rural arts centers, from an intergenerational community mural program in Nogales to the 40th Annual Grand Canyon Music Festival.

Grants are earned through a competitive application and review process. The Arts Commission reported a substantial increase in grant applications submitted this year, a reflection of the arts sector’s growth, diversification, and resilience, a press release notes.

Grants were awarded in four categories:

Creative Capacity Grants provide general operating support to arts and culture organizations of all sizes whose primary mission is to produce, present, teach, or serve the arts. This year, 280 organizations were awarded Creative Capacity Grants in amounts ranging from $2,000 to $57,500.

Festival Grants support organizations in their efforts to provide quality arts and cultural programming through community festival activities. Grant awards range from $2,500 to $5,000, and applications submitted for Festival Grants increased 62% this year over last. Ultimately, 64 organizations were awarded funding.

Lifelong Arts Engagement Grants support projects that foster meaningful arts learning experiences in community settings for adult learners of any age.

Youth Arts Engagement Grants support programs focused on young people ages 24 and under that occur outside of traditional school hours.

The Arts Commission administers two rounds of Lifelong Arts Engagement Grants and Youth Arts Engagement Grants each year. The agency is now accepting applications for the second round of grants through Thursday, Sept. 14.

The Arizona Commission on the Arts’ primary funding streams are the Arts Trust Fund, which contributes an average of $1.3 million to the agency’s annual budget, and a state partnership grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which contributes $940,000 on average.

Additionally, the agency received a $50,000 Community Grant from Wells Fargo this year to be distributed through the Creative Capacity Grant program.

Visit azarts.gov for more information on the Arizona Commission on the Arts or call 602-771-6536 or email swilcox@azarts.gov.

The Chandler Center for the Arts was among six grant recipients in the East Valley city.

(Photo provided by Arizona Commission on the Arts)