The Ruth Foundation for the Arts invites applications for its Special Project Grants program, which supports small and mid-size nonprofit visual and performing arts organizations located in Wisconsin. This initiative aims to create a more equitable arts ecosystem by funding projects that have long-term cultural and structural impacts within their communities. Grants of $100,000 or $200,000 are available over two years to organizations with operating budgets under $2 million.

Eligible projects include public art commissions, archival and database creation projects, publications, cultural revitalization initiatives, and capacity-building efforts that improve organizational conditions. Proposals emphasizing unconventional, experimental approaches and representing underrepresented communities are encouraged. Funded projects should be ambitious, collaborative, equitable, and relevant, promoting cultural sustainability, uplifting diverse voices, and compensating contributors fairly. Projects must also increase public access to cultural knowledge and archives while advancing innovation and revitalization in the arts.

The program does not fund capital campaigns, projects not directly tied to arts and culture, school or university initiatives, fundraising events, playgrounds, parks, or unrelated museum acquisitions. Applications are open from October 7 to December 9, 2024, and must be submitted through the program’s online portal. A virtual information session held on October 30, 2024, provides additional guidance, with the recording accessible online.

This grant program represents an opportunity for Wisconsin-based arts organizations to realize transformative projects that enrich their communities and sustain cultural practices. Interested organizations should craft proposals that align with the program's goals of equity, innovation, and meaningful impact.