NEA Art Works 1, FY2020 | 2019NEA01AW1

Opportunity Information: Apply for 2019NEA01AW1

NEA Art Works 1, FY2020 (Funding Opportunity Number 2019NEA01AW1) was the National Endowment for the Arts main, project-based grant program designed to expand public engagement with high-quality art and to strengthen how the arts function in everyday American life. The core idea behind Art Works was that art should be accessible and meaningful to people across the country, not limited to a handful of major cultural hubs. Funding was intended to support projects that help people experience excellent art, encourage the creation of new work that meets high artistic standards, promote arts learning at any age, and weave the arts more deeply into communities through programming, partnerships, and public-facing activities. The program was structured to accommodate a wide range of project sizes and formats, whether an initiative was already established or just launching, and whether it took place in a large city, a rural region, or a U.S. territory.

The opportunity emphasized artistic excellence and public value, and it specifically encouraged applicants to propose projects that aligned with several national and cultural priorities. These included commemorating the 2020 centennial of womens voting rights in the United States (the Womens Suffrage Centennial), building relationships or programming with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic or Latino organizations, or arts communities connected to Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian traditions. It also encouraged projects that celebrate Americas creativity and cultural heritage, create space for dialogue that supports mutual respect across different beliefs and values, and deepen understanding of individuals and society through the arts. In practice, that framing pointed applicants toward work that not only demonstrates strong artistic merit, but also has a clear plan for reaching audiences, engaging communities, and contributing to broader civic and cultural conversations.

Eligibility was broad, reflecting the NEAs goal of supporting arts activity across sectors. Eligible applicants included state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions where relevant). The funding instrument type was a grant under the arts funding activity category, listed under CFDA 45.024. The posted award ceiling was $100,000, indicating that while projects could vary widely in scale, there was a defined maximum federal contribution for any single award under this listing.

Key administrative details included an original closing date of February 14, 2019, and a creation date of December 11, 2018. Overall, NEA Art Works 1, FY2020 functioned as a national platform for supporting concrete arts projects that combine artistic quality with meaningful public engagement, with particular encouragement for projects that elevate underrepresented histories and communities, strengthen cultural partnerships, and use the arts to promote understanding and connection in community life.

• The National Endowment for the Arts in the arts sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NEA Art Works 1, FY2020" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.024.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-12-11.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-02-14. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for 2019NEA01AW1

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