NEA Art Works I, FY 2018 | 2017NEA01AW1

Opportunity Information: Apply for 2017NEA01AW1

The NEA Art Works I, FY 2018 opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 2017NEA01AW1, CFDA 45.024) is a discretionary grant program from the National Endowment for the Arts that supports high-quality arts projects designed to create meaningful public value. The program is framed around the NEA's core idea that "Art Works" in three overlapping ways: it refers to the art itself, the way art affects audiences and communities, and the reality that art is also professional work carried out by artists and arts organizations. In practical terms, the grant is meant to back projects that strengthen the role of arts and design in society by inspiring people, building connections, and encouraging creativity and innovation in both civic life and the broader economy.

A key rule in this cycle is the application limit. An organization is allowed to submit only one application total across the two FY 2018 categories, Art Works or Challenge America, meaning an applicant must choose one of those tracks for its primary submission. However, an organization may submit one additional Art Works application if that second proposal is specifically for a Creativity Connects project, creating a narrow exception that allows two submissions only when the extra application falls under that designated Creativity Connects focus.

The timing and project period are also clearly defined. NEA support for an awarded project can begin on or after January 1, 2018, and the period of performance is generally allowed to run up to two years. The purpose of the two-year window is to give applicants enough time to plan, deliver, and properly close out a project; it is not intended to fund the same one-year project twice or simply extend an annual program without meaningful project completion.

Programmatically, Art Works prioritizes projects with the potential to make a noticeable difference in the field or in public engagement with art. The NEA signals strong interest in proposals that are transformative, such as efforts that significantly develop or elevate an art form, introduce new methods of creation or presentation, or open up new ways for the public to experience and connect with art. In addition to transformation, projects are expected to be distinctive, offering fresh insights or added value through unconventional or inventive approaches rather than routine activity. The program also emphasizes broader impact: projects should have the potential to be shared, replicated, or adapted by others, or to spark further advances in the discipline, suggesting that the NEA is looking for models that can travel, scale, or influence practice beyond a single site or audience.

Within that broader frame, the Art Works category is organized around four main objectives. First is Creation, supporting the development of art that meets the highest standards of excellence. Second is Engagement, emphasizing direct public engagement with diverse and excellent arts experiences, which can include expanding reach, improving relevance, or deepening participation. Third is Learning, focusing on lifelong learning in the arts, reflecting an interest in education and skill-building across ages and stages rather than limiting learning to traditional school settings. Fourth is Livability, which centers on strengthening communities through the arts, including how arts and design contribute to community identity, vibrancy, and revitalization.

Eligible applicants are broad and include a wide range of public and nonprofit institutions: state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in that particular nonprofit category listing); and private institutions of higher education. The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $100,000. The original closing date for applications was February 16, 2017, reflecting that this is the first Art Works cycle connected to FY 2018 funding and scheduling.

• The National Endowment for the Arts in the arts sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NEA Art Works I, FY 2018" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.024.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-12-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-02-16. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for 2017NEA01AW1

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: