The FY26/27 General Operating Support (GOS) Grant is a funding opportunity provided by the Utah Division of Arts & Museums (UA&M) to support arts organizations and museums based in and serving the residents of Utah. This grant is designed to provide financial assistance to eligible nonprofit organizations and municipal government agencies whose primary mission is related to arts or museum services. The grant aims to enhance the cultural landscape of Utah by investing in organizations that provide artistic programming, community engagement, and preservation efforts.

This grant operates on a two-year funding cycle. Year 1 funding covers the period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, with applications due on March 14, 2025. Year 2 funding will be granted automatically for the period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, provided that Year 1 reporting requirements are met. The maximum funding request amount varies based on an organization’s annual revenue, with a minimum threshold of $5,000 for eligibility. The grant requires a 1:1 cash match from the applicant and is competitive, with applications reviewed by a panel of industry professionals before final approval by the UA&M Advisory Board.

Funds awarded through this grant may be used to support a variety of operational expenses, including staff salaries, program support, consultant fees, marketing, and facility rental. Museums may also use funds for conservation materials, exhibition development, and specific building maintenance related to collection care. However, the grant does not cover capital expenditures, endowments, deficit reduction, hospitality expenses, or certain types of programming, such as those restricted to members-only access.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, municipal governments, and tribal entities that operate primarily within the arts or museum sector. Local Arts Agencies must provide a signed designation to qualify. Organizations must have a history of at least three years of programming and be in full legal compliance. Public university-affiliated organizations, state parks, fiscally sponsored organizations, and entities that receive ongoing legislative pass-through funding for operating support are ineligible.

Applications must be submitted through UA&M’s grant portal by the March 14, 2025, deadline. The review process includes a virtual info session, panel evaluations in April-May 2025, and final funding approval by the UA&M Board in June 2025. Notifications of funding will be sent in July 2025, with an initial 90% disbursement upon contract signing and the remaining 10% released after the submission and approval of a final report. Grantees must complete their reporting by June 1 each year to remain eligible for the next funding cycle.

For further inquiries or assistance with the application, potential applicants may contact the UA&M Grants Team at uamgrants@utah.gov or call 801-663-8457. Additional resources, including budget templates, eligibility guidelines, and scoring rubrics, can be accessed on the UA&M website at artsandmuseums.utah.gov.