The Mirza/Arts & Culture Grants are available for projects and initiatives within the fields of art, music education, theater education/enrichment, and the performing, visual, and literary arts. These grants aim to support creative efforts that foster arts education and cultural enrichment. Grant periods typically run from June 1 of one year to May 31 of the following year. Grantees are required to expend all grant funds by the May 31 deadline, with final reports due no later than June 30 following the conclusion of the grant cycle. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review their grant agreements for specific dates and requirements.

For the 2025 grant cycle, applications will be accepted between February 1 and February 28, 2025. The online application system will automatically close at 5 p.m. Central Time on the final day of the application period. It is essential that applicants submit all necessary documents and information by the closing time to ensure their application is considered. Additional resources such as the Mirza/Arts & Culture Grant Information Sheet are available to guide applicants in understanding the focus areas of the grant, including collaboration requirements, and the specific dates and deadlines for the application cycle.

Applicants must also refer to the 2025 Mirza/Arts & Culture Grant Application PDF, which provides specific details about the online application process. This document includes valuable information on the application questions, including character limits for each question. All applicants are required to use a common budget form, which will be made available for download as part of the online application process.

In addition to the Mirza/Arts & Culture grants, there are also David and Kay Williams Music Education Grants available. These grants focus on providing creative music education experiences for individuals of all ages and abilities. Applications for these grants must follow the same process as the Mirza/Arts & Culture grants. The Williams Music Education Endowment, with its revised selection criteria as of 2023, will be used to evaluate applications for this funding opportunity.

Starting with the 2024 grant cycle, all grant agreements and final reports will be managed through the online grant application system. This change aims to streamline the administrative process and improve efficiency for both applicants and the grant administrators. Grantees should ensure they are familiar with the system to ensure a smooth application process and timely submission of final reports.