The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) is offering the Arts Organization Support (AOS) Program for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This program aims to provide stable and consistent funding to arts organizations across the state of Indiana, fostering accessibility to high-quality artistic experiences for residents and visitors. The program supports arts organizations of varying budget sizes and geographies, ensuring that arts opportunities are distributed equitably throughout Indiana.

To be eligible for this grant, applicants must be arts organizations based in Indiana that have been operating as an active 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity or a public entity for at least the last three consecutive years. Additionally, organizations must have annual cash revenues of $20,000 or more, as confirmed by the most recent board-approved fiscal year Statement of Activities. Applicants must also be in good standing with the State of Indiana, the Indiana Arts Commission, their Regional Arts Partner, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The program is open to organizations that primarily serve Indiana audiences and whose activities take place in the state. However, there are restrictions on certain organizations, such as those that primarily focus on education, fundraising, or those that receive direct operating support from the Indiana General Assembly.

The application process is highly competitive. Applicants will be evaluated based on artistic quality, community benefit, inclusion, accessibility, and organizational planning and management. The grant application requires organizations to meet specific funding priorities, with the program offering funding to organizations of different budget tiers. Funding amounts range from $4,000 to $25,000, depending on the applicant's budget tier, reviewer scores, and available program funding. Not all eligible applicants will receive funding, and the process includes a review by a panel of arts professionals.

Applications for the 2026-2027 cycle are due by March 4, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Before this, there are opportunities for applicants to receive feedback on draft applications by February 24, 2025. The application opens on January 7, 2025. A public panel review of applications will occur between April 21 and May 2, 2025, with funding notifications sent by July 1, 2025. Applicants must submit their applications online, with the exception of those requiring accommodations for accessibility.

Award recipients will be required to submit final reports by July 17, 2026, for the first year of the grant and July 15, 2027, for the second year. The program encourages applicants to ensure accessibility to arts programming for underserved populations, with a particular focus on smaller organizations in terms of budget size.