FY28 Arts Learning Express Guidelines
Substantive Changes Summary: FY27 vs FY28 ALX Guidelines
Annual Updates:
- Application Open Dates: Applications for Cycle A and Cycle B are the same as the last fiscal year. Cycle A opens on May 1, 2027, and Cycle B opens on Nov. 1, 2027.
- Time Period of Support: The time periods of support for Cycle A and Cycle B are the same as the last fiscal year. Cycle A supports projects from July 1 – Dec. 31, 2027, and Cycle B supports projects from: Jan. 1 – June 30, 2028.
Clarifications:
- UEI Number for Public Institutions: Since 2022, all applicant entities, including public institutions, have been required to have a Unique Entity Identification (UEI) number from SAM.gov per federal regulations. This has been added to public institution eligibility requirements for clarity.
- Travel Allowable Costs: Travel costs are still allowable, but the restriction on grant-funded food and drink is now explicitly stated.
- Application Materials: Application materials have not changed, but a more detailed narrative/support material checklist is included. Any references to external teaching artist selection have also been removed, due to the new requirement that applicants must utilize a teaching artist on the Nevada Arts Council Teaching Artist Directory.
- Primary Area of Focus: Added areas of therapeutic art making, arts & health to match available focuses under “Review Process/Criteria” section.
Changes:
- Addition of Cycle C: A Cycle C will be opened if additional funding becomes available. An application open date and appropriate time period of support will be announced to the public at this time.
- Eligible Applicants: For FY28, only public institutions (City, County, Tribal & State) and Nevada 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible to apply. Individual teaching artists on the Teaching Artist Directory are no longer eligible to apply.
- Grant Amount: The total requestable grant amount will be up to $3,000. This is an increase from the previous fiscal year, when the limit was up to $2,000.
- Match Requirement: As the eligible applicants will now be limited to public institutions and nonprofits, a 1:1 cash or in-kind match will be required.
- Removal of Named Staff Contacts: FY28 replaces direct staff contacts with a centralized Contact Us form.
- Teaching Artist Requirements: To be eligible for funding, projects must now utilize a teaching artist from the Nevada Arts Council Teaching Artist Directory. Previously, an organizational applicant could propose any teaching artist and provide supporting documentation as proof of experience and qualifications.
- Materials/Supplies Limit: Allowable costs for materials/supplies will now be restricted to no more than 20% of the grant request amount.
Grant Snapshot
APPLICATION OPEN:
- Cycle A: May 1, 2027, at 8 a.m. PT
- Cycle B: Nov. 1, 2027, at 8 a.m. PT
- Cycle C: TBD, if funds become available
APPLICATION DEADLINE: At least 30 days before the proposed project (while funds are available)
TIME PERIOD OF SUPPORT:
- Cycle A: Project activities from July 1 – Dec. 31, 2027
- Cycle B: Project activities from Jan. 1 – June 30, 2028
- Cycle C: TBD, if funds become available
ELIGIBILITY: Public institutions (City, County, Tribal & State) and Nevada incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
GRANT AMOUNT: Up to $3,000*
REQUIRED MATCH: 1:1 cash or in-kind match
CONTACT: If you have any questions, please fill out this Contact Us form and select “Arts Learning” program area.
How the Program Works
The Fiscal Year 2028 (FY28) Arts Learning Express Grant (ALX) supports short-term arts education programming by Nevada’s statewide public institutions and nonprofit organizations. Eligible projects include hands-on learning in an artistic discipline with an active teaching artist on the Nevada Arts Council Teaching Artist Directory.
To offer flexibility and expedite funding, ALX grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for each cycle. Grant funds are limited, so early submission is encouraged. The application portal will close for each cycle when available funding is expended. Grantees may receive funding for one award per cycle, for a maximum of two awards per fiscal year.
Eligibility
Eligibility requirements must be met at the time of application.
501(c)(3) Nonprofits:
- Must be based in Nevada*
- Must have federal tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
- Must have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) assigned from SAM.gov
- Must have active incorporation status with the Nevada Secretary of State
- Projects must utilize artists/groups on the Nevada Arts Council Teaching Artist Directory
*Organizations located in states that border Nevada may apply if most of the project (at least 75%) serves Nevada communities, and all awarded funds are used to support Nevada communities.
Public Institutions (including federally recognized tribes, state or local government, schools, public libraries, and institutions of higher education):
- Must be based in Nevada
- Must have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) assigned from SAM.gov
- Agencies that exist within the same governmental entity are eligible to apply independently when they have different/distinct mission statements and their own separate advisory boards. Multiple departments/facilities within one agency may not apply independently
- Colleges/universities are limited to no more than one grant to the same academic department per fiscal year
- Individual schools and libraries within the same district/system may apply independently if they have their own budget and facility
- Projects must utilize artists/groups on the Nevada Arts Council Teaching Artist Directory
Allowable Costs and Restrictions
Funds may be used for:
- Teaching artist fees
- Materials/supplies (not to exceed 20% of grant request amount)
- Travel (accommodation and transportation only, no food/drink)
Funds may NOT be used for:
- Attending classes or workshops
- Expenses outside the six-month cycle
- Food, drink, or per diem
- Private lessons, concerts, assembly programs, or lectures
For a full list of non-allowable expenses, see the Funding Restrictions in the current Grant and Award Policies. Grant funds may be disbursed as an advance payment upon receipt of the signed terms and conditions or as reimbursement.
Review Process/Criteria
Nevada Arts Council staff will review applications for eligibility, completeness, and adherence to artistic excellence and artist merit. Applications that meet all eligibility and project requirements are awarded in the order in which they are received while funds remain available. A record of the review process is maintained for all applications. The application must demonstrate artistic excellence and artistic merit that includes the following:
- Teaching artists/groups on the Nevada Arts Council Teaching Artist Directory
- A focus on one of the following: Arts Education, Arts Integration, Arts for Social Development, Therapeutic Art Making, Arts & Health
- Programming that is interactive and a hands-on educational experience in the arts or traditional cultural practices (Supplementary activities, such as readings, lecture-demonstrations and performances, may not exceed 20% of programming contact hours)
- A clear schedule, including prep hours and educational contact hours (contact hours must total four hours minimum, 20 hours maximum)
- A skill level appropriate for the target audience
- Clear objectives, outcomes, and evaluation methods
- An authentic and collaborative commitment to inclusion and accessibility
- For Pre-K through Grade 12 projects in schools, the project must also:
- Demonstrate connection to Nevada Content Standards for the Fine Arts and/or English Language Arts and Social Studies
- Always have a teacher or adult representative of the school present
- Have an adult-student ratio appropriate to the activity
Programming & Reporting Requirements
All grant funded projects/activities must be completed within the grant period of performance. Documentation of the use of grant funds must be provided in the Final Report and must align with proposed expense categories. To stay in compliance and remain eligible for future Nevada Arts Council grants, grantees must submit the Final Report by the deadline stated in the award packet.
How to Apply
- Review the current Grant and Award Policies for additional information about the requirements associated with Nevada Arts Council grants. Grant terms and conditions are subject to changing state and federal regulations during the grant period of performance. The Nevada Arts Council will post and inform awardees of any changes if/as soon as they are available.
- Complete the application online.
Resources
Before filling out this application, gather the following narratives and support materials to make the process easier:
- Organizational documentation, such as:
- Federal IRS letter of determination
- Assigned UEI number
- Narrative questions, such as:
- Project details, goals, objectives
- Project management staff
- Participating Nevada Arts Council Teaching Artist Directory artists
- Evaluation methods and goals
- Primary and secondary contacts, grant authorizing official
- Budget information, such as:
- Proposed use of grant expenses
- Full project budget
- Cash or in-kind match information
- Additional support material, such as:
- Primary area of focus (arts education, arts integration, arts for social development, therapeutic art making, arts & health)
- Nevada Academic Content Standards (Pre-K – Grade 12 only)
- Teaching artist prep and contact hours
- Letter or email confirmation from participating Nevada Arts Council Teaching Artist Directory artists
Review additional resources for applicants
If you need translation or language assistance, please contact the Grants Program at [email protected]
*Requested and awarded grant award amount is subject to change based upon available funding, review criteria, and Nevada Arts Council Board approval.
