Grants:Annual Grants Program

City of Indianapolis Annual Grants Program

Since 1987, the City of Indianapolis has invested in nonprofit arts and culture organizations through the Annual Grants Program (AGP), administered by the Indy Arts Council. 

In 2024, a record 91 organizations received funding to support the programs, exhibitions and activities that nearly 8 million residents and visitors enjoy each year.

Applications open January 6, 2025 and are due February 21, 2025. Current AGP grantees are not required to reapply. Read the guidelines here. Watch the application workshop recording here.

Annual Grants Program

About the grant

Since 1987, the City of Indianapolis has invested in nonprofit arts and culture organizations through the Annual Grants Program, administered by the Indy Arts Council. 

In 2024, a record 91 organizations received funding to support the programs, exhibitions and activities that nearly 8 million residents and visitors enjoy each year.  

To ensure fairness, an independent panel of national grant professionals evaluates applications in a public process. Scoring centers diversity, equity, inclusion and access across three areas–community impact, artistic merit and organizational capacity, with an emphasis on racial equity.

Annual Grants Program

Eligible organizations:

  • Are a 501 (c)(3) organization or an organization fiscally sponsored by a 501 (c)(3) organization headquartered in Marion County, Indiana.
  • Have a minimum operating budget of $20,000.
  • Offer year-round arts & culture programs to the community.
  • Primarily serve Marion County residents.
  • STEP ONE

    Review the application guidelines.

    Review guidelines
  • STEP TWO

    Watch the workshop.

    This workshop reviews the grant program details and how to apply.

    watch
  • STEP THREE

    Apply by February 21, 2025.

    This is a written, online application. If you prefer an alternate format (i.e. dictated responses, video responses, other languages), please reach out to grants@indyarts.org.

    Apply

Frequently Asked Questions

Annual Grants Program

What is the multiyear application schedule for the Annual Grants Program?

To reduce grant writing workload and provide funding predictability for arts organizations, the Annual Grants Program runs on a multiyear cycle. The current cycle began in 2024 and ends in 2026. Organizations applied in 2024 and will be automatically awarded again in 2025 and 2026 without submitting a new application. Grantees must submit an annual report to remain in good standing with their contract.

All organizations will reapply in 2027 for the next multiyear cycle, which will cover 2027 – 2029.

Can our organization apply outside of the multiyear cycle?

Yes. This includes both: a) organizations who did not apply in 2024 and b) current grantees who wish to be rescored and are open to a potential change in their award amount.

Our organization is a current grantee. Should we apply in 2025?

Current grantees do not need to reapply in 2025, but they may choose to reapply. Award amounts are not guaranteed for those who reapply, so consider discussing this option with IAC staff. Here are some considerations for organizations wishing to reapply:

  • If your organization was awarded in the Annual Grants Program in 2024, you will receive continued funding for 2025 and 2026 (contingent on City funding). Current grantees are not required to submit an application again until the next multiyear cycle, early 2027.
  • Further, due to an increased City allocation in 2025, all current grantees who continue with their current contract will receive at least an 18% automatic increase to their award amount for 2025.
  • If your organization wishes to reapply, your current multiyear contract will be void and you are not eligible for the automatic increase. Your new award amount will be determined based on your new score and availability of funds. You will be issued a contract that covers 2025 and 2026, which are the remaining years in this multiyear cycle.
Our organization didn’t apply in 2024. Can we apply in 2025?

Yes! Review the application guidelines to assure that your organization is eligible. Submit your application by February 21, 2025, 4:30 pm.

How are applications reviewed?

A panel of national arts and culture grant professionals will review and score each application according to the criteria listed in the guidelines.

A live discussion of the application review panel will take place via Zoom the week of April 7. Applicants are encouraged to tune in. More details will be posted on this web page closer to the panel date.

View the 2024 public panel review recording here.

When will our organization receive our contract and check?

All Annual Grants Program contracts and payments will be issued in May 2025.

  • New grantees will receive a contract covering 2025 and 2026 and their 2025 first payment (50% of award).
  • Current grantees will receive a contract amendment reflecting automatic increase for 2025, their 2024 award second payment (50% of 2024 award), and their 2025 award first payment (50% of 2025 award).
  • Reapplying grantees will receive a new contract covering 2025 and 2026, their 2024 award second payment (50% of 2024 award), and their 2025 award first payment (50% of 2025 award).
Why are current grantees receiving an automatic increase?

Annual Grants Program funding is an allocation from the City of Indianapolis, Capital Improvement Board, and Bond Bank to Marion County arts and culture organizations and is administered by Indy Arts Council. Due to the arts community’s advocacy efforts in 2024, the Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board and Bond Bank increased their allocation to support the Annual Grants Program and sector services. These funds support general operating expenses as these grantees produce accessible and memorable arts and cultural experiences in Marion County.

Connect with the grants team

Anna Tragesser

Anna Tragesser

Program Manager
she/her

Reach out to Anna for questions about eligibility requirements, the application process, the grants portal, and tech issues. If you prefer to meet virtually, schedule a time with Anna here.

Need additional help? Email grants@indyarts.org.

The Annual Grants Program grant has transformed how the Global Village engages with and support artists in Central Indiana. Funding from this grant has allowed us to open the stage for more performers and musicians in our immersive programs, allowing us to make a bigger impact in the way our guests engage with and perceive the cultures surrounding our community.

Global Village
Global Village (2024 Annual Grants Program Recipient)

Annual Grants Program History

  • Our equity journey

  • Impact & Challenges

Annual Grants Program: Our equity journey

2015
Indy Arts Council adopts its equity statement.
2016
Program expands funding access to smaller arts organizations.
2020
City of Indianapolis adopts special resolution to address inequities of race, place and identity throughout City-County government. 
2021
Indy Arts Council and local arts leaders develop AGP scoring criteria that centers racial and socioeconomic equity. 

Annual Grants Program: Impact & Challenges

2015-2023
Organizations funded grew from 45 to 85.
POCC (people of color-centered) organizations funded grew from 2 to 16.
2020-2023
Audience diversity grew from 33% to 42%.
Arts organization board diversity increased from 28% to 31%.
Workforce diversity increased from 22% to 25%.
2023
POCC organizations represented 19% of grantees but received 12% of funding.
Arts organization CEO diversity decreased from 8% (5 of 65) to 6% (4 of 69) in 2023.

We will make equitable access to arts funding for all arts organizations and artists in Indianapolis a guiding principle of Arts Council grant making. Such funding will unite arts organizations and artists with diverse populations of our community to nurture a thriving culture for the arts within the City of Indianapolis.

Annual Grants Program