The 2025 Arts Education and Program Grants are designed to support arts initiatives in Jersey City, New Jersey. These grants provide financial assistance to organizations and individuals who aim to enhance arts education and community engagement through publicly accessible programs. The maximum funding request is $17,500, and applicants may request up to 50% of their program costs, requiring a 1:1 match in cash or in-kind contributions. The grant period covers projects running between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

The primary purpose of this grant is to expand the impact and inclusiveness of the arts in Jersey City, revitalize shared spaces through creative initiatives, and foster community connections through artistic expression. It also aims to develop economic opportunities for local artists and ensure that funded programs provide a direct public benefit that is free to Jersey City residents. Programs must align with the priorities of the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund and demonstrate measurable public benefits.

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, arts businesses registered in the State of New Jersey, and individual artists who are residents of Jersey City. Universities, colleges, and other schools may apply, but only for programs that are fully open to the public. Schools cannot seek funding for curricular or extracurricular activities unless these activities allow public participation. Applicants must have been in operation for at least one full fiscal year before applying.

The grant covers a wide range of program expenses but imposes certain restrictions. Administrative salaries for program and arts education grants cannot exceed 20% of the total grant request. Additionally, grants do not cover food and hospitality expenses, travel beyond 50 miles from Jersey City, loan collateral, parades, legal services, political action committees, non-public extracurricular activities, religious activities unless they support non-sectarian arts programming, fundraising events, sponsorships, prizes, scholarships, or personal gain.

Evaluation criteria include artistic value, a direct public benefit delivered within the grant timeline, alignment with Jersey City’s arts priorities, financial feasibility, and a clear plan for measuring outcomes. Applicants must also provide a Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) plan to address barriers to public participation in the arts, as well as an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility plan, which accounts for 20% of the final evaluation score.

Applications are limited to one category per cycle, including General Operating, Program, Arts Education, or Individual Artist Fellowship grants. Proposed programs must be open to the public, and funding is contingent on adherence to all eligibility and program requirements.