Arts Organizations, Learning and Access

Visitors at an art fair with glass art in the foreground

The Iowa Arts Council is committed to ensuring statewide access to the arts through supporting opportunities for arts learning and engagement and to strengthening the capacity of Iowa arts and cultural organizations to deliver enriching arts experiences for all Iowans.

The Iowa Arts Council provides grants to eligible organizations for arts programs that take place in communities and schools. 

Our investments fall broadly into two categories: 

Project Support

These grants support projects that involve an arts experience or arts learning opportunity and that demonstrate public value to Iowans through deliberate public engagement and access.

Testimonial

“Community Solutions of Eastern Iowa has been looking for a way to communicate and engage with the public and landed on a photovoice exhibition as a new and unique way to do that. We could not have done it without this grant.  The funding really took this from an idea to a reality. We've found incredible professional partners who wanted to help us, and I believe a lot of that stemmed from having the backing of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Arts Council.” 

For Nonprofit Organizations

Iowa Culture Leadership Cohort

Build leadership skills in organization operations, sustainability and programming through professional development workshops, peer learning, mentorship and guidance from outside consultants.

Learn more about the two-year program
Conference presentation

Additional Funding Opportunities

Arts Midwest

One of six nonprofit U.S. regional arts organizations, Arts Midwest serves a nine-state region that offers programs with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and other funders.

Support Iowa Arts

Become a Volunteer Panelist

Are you interested in helping support Iowa arts? We want to hear from you. Citizen advice from unique artistic and cultural viewpoints is central to government support of the arts. 

Get Involved