Arts Partnership Grants are discretionary grant awards for projects that align with one or more current and funding priorities and strategic goals in the Iowa Arts Council 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.
Note: Arts events focused on the creation or presentation of artwork are ineligible for the Arts Partnership Grant program. Applicants should apply to the appropriate Arts Project Grant program for these activities.
Program Update
The Arts Partnership Grant program supports significant regional or statewide arts convenings and strategic initiatives that strengthen the arts in Iowa and align with the Iowa Arts Council’s 2022–2026 Strategic Plan.
Eligible projects must clearly align with one of the following categories:
- Regional and Statewide Arts Convenings
Supports arts events, conferences, and convenings that build professional knowledge, advance arts practices in Iowa, and expand networks for collaboration. - Arts, Health and Well-being
Supports programming that demonstrates the arts' impact on community belonging, connection, and the health and well-being of individuals and groups. - Strategic Initiatives (by invitation only)
Supports special projects and strategic partnerships with the Iowa Arts Council that advance statewide arts goals or evaluate arts sector impacts.
Projects focused solely on the creation, performance, or presentation of artworks are not eligible unless clearly tied to the Arts, Health and Well-being category. Applicants with other types of arts projects should explore alternate Iowa Arts Council grant programs.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- Iowa-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status
- Nonprofits located in Border Cities serving Iowa audiences
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status applying through a fiscal agent
- Educational institutions, organizations, or K–12 schools
- Area Education Agencies
- Units of local, county, state, or federally recognized tribal government in Iowa
Additional eligibility requirements:
- Organizations must have a physical location in Iowa (or serve Iowa communities if in a Border City)
- Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov and have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
- Applicants must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Awards
Applicants may request between $2,500 and $40,000 for eligible one-time project expenses incurred during the funding period: October 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.
- Payment Structure
- 50% of the grant is awarded upon contract execution
- Remaining 50% is disbursed as reimbursement after expenses are incurred and documented
- Final reports are due by August 1, 2026
- Match Requirement
- Applicants must provide a 1:1 match for the grant amount requested.
- Match may include cash, in-kind contributions, or a combination
- Matching funds must be used for eligible, one-time project costs
- State or federal funds cannot be used to meet the match requirement
Resources
Application Process
Timeline
- Application Opens: August 8, 2025
- Application Deadline: April 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM
- Funding Period: October 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
- Final Report Due: August 1, 2026
Submission
Applicants must complete an online application by April 28, 2026. Prospective applicants should contact the Iowa Arts Council first to determine the eligibility of their project. All potential applicants are encouraged to review all the published material and contact Arts Council Director David Schmitz with questions.
Manage Your Grant
Reference your Award Notification email and Grant Contract for information about managing your grant award. The email and contract include information about contract compliance, acknowledging support, final reports and other important details.
As a grant recipient, you must complete the final report form at the end of the process and share the impact of the project on arts and culture in Iowa.