The Youth Arts Engagement Grant, administered by the Arizona Commission on the Arts, is designed to support arts learning projects for young people up to the age of 24. These projects must take place outside of traditional school hours, such as before or after school and during school breaks. The program emphasizes arts learning practices, with projects that provide opportunities for creative expression in safe and nurturing environments. Successful proposals should also highlight youth voices, narratives, and perspectives while utilizing the assets of the communities they serve.

Eligible projects can occur in various settings, including arts venues, community centers, school sites, and other youth-oriented spaces. The grants support sequential, hands-on learning in various artistic disciplines, including but not limited to dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theatre, traditional and folk arts, and visual arts. Funded projects must define specific learning objectives, measurable outcomes, and appropriate evaluation methods to ensure impact and effectiveness.

Applicants may request grant amounts ranging from $2,500 to $5,000. Notably, there is no cash match requirement for this funding opportunity. These funds can be used to cover eligible expenses related to the development and implementation of the proposed arts learning projects. However, applicants should review funding restrictions and guidelines to ensure compliance with grant requirements.

The application deadline for the Youth Arts Engagement Grant is April 24, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Following submission, applications will undergo a panel review in June 2025, with final grant awards announced in August 2025. The funding period for awarded projects will run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The review process evaluates applications based on a set of predefined criteria that focus on the effectiveness, impact, and feasibility of the proposed projects.

The Arizona Commission on the Arts provides extensive applicant resources, including information sessions, video guides, and SM Apply guides to assist with the application process. Prospective applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review the grant guidelines before submitting their applications to ensure they meet all requirements.

For further information, applicants may contact Chaz Salazar, Arts Learning Coordinator, at the Arizona Commission on the Arts. The commission’s office is located at 417 West Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85003-1326, and they can be reached by phone at (602) 771-6501 or via email at info@azarts.gov.