Grant Overview

The Delaware Division of the Arts offers a variety of grant programs for individual artists; nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations chartered and based in Delaware; and schools and government entities that support arts activities.

Recipients of grants from the Delaware Division of the Arts must be in good standing with the Delaware Division of Corporations and/or Delaware Division of Revenue, as well as have a current registration in the Delaware eSupplier portal.

See Applying for a Grant through smARTDE to learn how to log in and navigate within the system.

 

Arts Organizations

Non-profit Delaware organizations whose primary mission is the promotion, production, presentation, or teaching of the arts

General Operating Support (GOS)

Support of annual operating expenses to ensure that year-round participation in the arts is available to the people of Delaware. This grant category utilizes a three-year application cycle. Full applications are due every three years, with Interim Applications due in the “off” year. Applications open December 5 with a deadline of March 2, 2026.

Arts Stabilization (ASF)

Support for improvements to facilities owned (or under long-term lease) and operated by the organization. ASF grants are funded through the Division’s participation in the Arts Consortium of Delaware, Inc. (ArtCo) endowment. Applications open December 5 with a deadline of March 2, 2026.

Education Resource (EDR)

Grants to strengthen standards-based arts education projects, programs, and activities that utilize the arts education resources of the Delaware arts community or strengthen arts organizations’ capacity to serve as professional development resources for teaching artists and educators. Applications open December 5 with a deadline of March 2, 2026.

StartUp Program (STU)

A comprehensive program of financial support, training, and consultation to develop and strengthen the management capacity of emerging arts organizations, organizations applying for an annual grant from DDOA for the first time, or previous grantees that have had a lapse in GOS funding, so that they can operate in a sustainable manner. Completion of the StartUp program is a prerequisite for organizations seeking General Operating Support. Applications open December 5 with a Letter of Intent due by January 15, 2026 and an application deadline of March 2, 2026.

Arts Access (ACC)

Supports small budget projects that include the presentation of performing, visual, literary, media, or folk arts in communities throughout the state. Organizations that receive General Operating Support are generally not eligible to apply. Rolling deadline – submit at least 6 weeks prior to the project start date.

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Community-Based Organizations(CBOs)

Non-profit Delaware organizations, colleges, universities, and government entities that do not have the arts as their primary mission

Project Support (PS)

Support for arts programs provided by CBOs that assist in the growth of a vibrant cultural environment by encouraging the continued development of arts activities in communities throughout the state. College and university projects must be non-credit and serve the general community. Applications open December 1 with a deadline of March 2, 2026.

Arts Access (ACC)

Supports small budget projects that include the presentation of performing, visual, literary, media, or folk arts in communities throughout the state. Organizations that receive Project Support are generally not eligible to apply. Rolling deadline – submit at least 6 weeks prior to the project start date.

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Schools

Delaware pre-K through 12 public, charter, private, and parochial schools.

Note: Artist residency applicants are encouraged to have a virtual learning backup option in place as an alternative to in-person learning projects if needed.

Artist Residency

Grants for residencies with visual, literary, performing or media artists working with students in the classroom or in professional development workshops with teachers. Rolling deadline – submit at least 6 weeks prior to start of the scheduled residency.

Education Resource (EDR)

Grants to strengthen standards-based arts education projects, programs, and activities that utilize the arts education resources of the Delaware arts community or strengthen arts organizations’ capacity to serve as professional development resources for teaching artists and educators. Public/charter schools and districts only. Applications open December 1 with a deadline of March 2, 2026.

TranspARTation

Grants that support transportation costs (up to $500) for schools to bring students to Delaware arts and cultural institutions and venues in order to attend arts performances, events, and exhibits. Rolling deadline – submit at least 6 weeks prior to the field trip date.

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Individual Artists

Delaware residents, 18 years of age or older, not enrolled in a degree-granting program

Artist Fellowships (IAF)

Support of individual artists in their work as visual, performing, media, folk, and/or literary artists. Applications are received and processed by Mid Atlantic Arts. Annual application deadline August 3, 2026.

Artist Opportunity Grant

Grants provide up to $1,000 to support individual artists with unique professional and artistic development or presentation opportunities. Quarterly deadlines: January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1*.