Artistic Innovations Grant Program

The Artistic Innovations Grant Program supports the development of new, original works in the Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) six-state region: Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. This grant encourages experimentation across artistic disciplines.

Through Artistic Innovations, individual artists and nonprofit arts organizations can apply for grants of up to $15,000 to create and present new work. Funding, cost-share requirements, application forms differ by applicant type:

• Individual artists may apply for up to $15,000 with no cost share required. Artistic Innovations Grants for Individual Artists are made possible through M-AAA's strategic reinvestment of a gift from Yield Giving.
• Nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organizations may apply for up to $15,000 with a cost-share requirement. These grants are supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Since 2012, Artistic Innovations has provided more than $2 million in funding to support new art projects across the region.

The next cycle of Artistic Innovations applications is now open. Apply by Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CT.

Who Artistic Innovations is for

Artistic Innovations is for individual artists or nonprofit arts organizations in M-AAA's six-state region that:

• have new, original, or experimental ideas, projects, or products to share with audiences.
• share experiences of art, art making, or artists at the heart of the initiative.
• engage the public through feature presentation and outreach, which could include (but is not limited to) performance, publication, lecture/demonstration, exhibition, master class and/or workshop.
• are from rural or urban communities.

In addition:

• Applicants should have an anticipated project budget that reflects a dollar-for-dollar match for the grant amount requested.
• We encourage applications from artists and organizations that embody and/or serve populations that are underserved, such as those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by external forces such as geography, race/ethnicity, economics, and/or disability.
• Artists and organizations who are applying to M-AAA for a grant for the first time are encouraged to apply.

Successful applicants:

• put experiences of art, art making, or artists at the heart of the initiative.
• engage the public, for example, through performance, publication, lecture/demonstration, exhibition, master class and/or workshop.
• have included the disciplines of dance, film, literature, music, theater, and visual arts.

What Artistic Innovations provides

• Matching grant of up to $15,000 for project expenses.
• Applicants are encouraged to request an amount that is reflective of the project and their capacity to manage the grant.
• Grant funds may be used for expenses incurred starting on or after January 1, 2027, and must be totally expended on or by June 30, 2027.

Timeline

• Application opens: August 20, 2026
• Application deadline: September 24, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CT.
• Office Hours: August 26 to September 16, 2026
• Application Adjudication: October 1 to November 30, 2026
• Applicant selections and notifications: December 18, 2026
• M-AAA public awards announcement: January 2027
• Project Period: January 1, 2027–June 30, 2027

About Artistic Innovations

Artistic Innovations Grant Program supports the creation of new, original works of art by eligible in-region artists and organizations. Applications will be assessed for artistic merit and artistic excellence.

M-AAA intends to make awards that encourage the spirit of experimentation and exploration and benefit a broad constituency. Awards will be made across the six-state M-AAA region, with at least two grants awarded per state (Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas). This program will disburse cost-sharing grants of up to $15,000 to no fewer than 12 grantees.