Bloomington Arts Commission Announces 2026 Arts Operations Grant Cycle Now Open

The Bloomington Arts Commission (BAC), in collaboration with the City of Bloomington and the Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association (BUEA), has announced its 2026 Arts Operations Support Grant program supporting 501(c)3 organizations with arts-centered missions focused on Bloomington-based impact. 
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Eligible applicants must be registered as a 501(c)3 and have an annual operating budget of $500,000 or less. Applicants may request funding of up to $5,000 and funds may be used for any of an eligible organization's operational costs, including overhead expenses, staff salaries and programmatic expenses. In 2025 the program supported 19 organizations enabling them to provide creative services for the entire community.

“The Operations Grant is one of the key ways by which the Commission recognizes the immense importance of local arts non-profits to our community,” said Gerard Pannekoek, Bloomington Arts Commission Grants Committee Chair. “These grants help fill funding gaps and provide support to areas of the budget that are often not covered by other funders. The Commission is proud to continue offering this grant and is grateful to the Common Council and BUEA for budgetary support to do so.” 

Applications will now be accepted through Thursday, Sept. 24 by 11:59 p.m. EDT. More information regarding the grant cycle and the application form is available at bloomington.in.gov/arts/grants.

Bloomington Arts Commissioners will offer technical support on a first-come, first-served basis for anyone interested in discussing the application process during the application period. Please contact Paige Sharp, Arts Consultant and liaison to the Bloomington Arts Commission, [email protected], to schedule an appointment with a commissioner.​