The 2025 stART Grant is administered by the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona and provides funding to artists, artist groups, collectives, co-ops, community groups, fiscally sponsored organizations, and 501(c)(3) organizations. The grant is designed to support artistic projects that benefit communities and to aid in artist development. This program is funded in part by the City of Tucson and Pima County.

The grant is available under two funding tracks:

Community Impact Track: Provides funding for artistic projects that create a meaningful impact on a community.
Artist Development Track: Supports individual artists needing specific capital resources or professional development opportunities to advance their artistic practice.
Awards range from $500 to $3,000, and the funding period runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Eligible expenses include project-related costs such as supplies, artist fees, honorariums, and contractor payments. The grant does not require cost-matching.

Eligible applicants must be working artists, artist groups, or 501(c)(3) organizations in Tucson, South Tucson, Pima County, the Pascua Yaqui Reservation, or the Tohono O’odham Nation. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, capable of providing a W-9 form, and willing to submit a final report at the end of the funding period. Certain entities are ineligible, including corporations, schools, government agencies, current grantees of certain Arts Foundation programs, and students enrolled at least half-time.

Applications open on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, and close on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 11:59 PM Arizona Time. The review process will take place between March 7, 2025, and May 12, 2025, with award notifications sent between May 13-15, 2025. Final reports are due by July 31, 2026.

The review process consists of a panel evaluation based on the following criteria:

Potential Impact – The extent to which the project enhances artistic visibility, appreciation, or professional development, and its ability to create meaningful social, personal, or professional change.
Capacity – The applicant’s ability to complete the proposed project successfully, demonstrated through past experience, work samples, and a reasonable budget.
Correlation – How well the project aligns with the applicant’s artistic trajectory or community engagement efforts.
Application materials include a narrative statement, resume or bio, work samples, and a budget form. Applicants must answer a series of questions specific to their funding track, covering project details, capacity to complete the work, and intended impact. Submissions may be made in writing or through video responses.

Applicants can access bilingual technical assistance, grant coaching, webinars, and one-on-one application support. A call-in application interview option is also available for those with accessibility or internet limitations. Technical support is provided through Submittable, the online application platform.