ARTSTART MINI GRANTS

Your Vision. Your Community. Your Art.
Apply for an ArtStart Grant!

Newark Arts is thrilled to announce that our annual applications for the 2025 ArtStart Grants open on March 3rd!

Since 2001, ArtStart has jumpstarted over 200 arts and cultural projects, providing over $500,000 in funding to individual artists, schools, nonprofits, and community groups. For ArtStart 2025, grants will be awarded at two levels—$3,500 and $5,000—based on the project’s budget and the overall strength of the application. Applicants may request up to a maximum of $5,000.

Have an idea that sparks creativity and fosters community? This is your chance to bring it to life! A diverse selection committee will review proposals, ensuring a fair and impactful distribution of funds.

APPLICATIONS OPEN: March 3, 2025

DEADLINE TO APPLY: April 13, 2025 at 11:59pm

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 

To be considered for funding, successful applications will:

1. Funding Period: Take place between August 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.
2. Request Start-Up Funding: Propose financial support for a new arts or cultural initiative established within the last five (5) years.
3. Leverage the Arts to Address Social Issues: Demonstrate a clear understanding of how the arts can serve as a catalyst for addressing and raising awareness of pressing social challenges.
4. Collaborate with Community-Based Organizations: Engage meaningfully with neighborhood or community-based organizations to identify and address their specific needs.
5. Focus on Local Neighborhoods Beyond Downtown Newark: Implement projects that stimulate creativity and foster community engagement in neighborhoods outside of the Downtown Newark area.
6. Serve Underserved Communities: Prioritize outreach and engagement with traditionally underserved populations, including children under 18, seniors, and individuals with diverse abilities.
7. Foster Partnerships Between Small Organizations and Individual Artists: Encourage collaborations that strengthen the capacity and impact of both small organizations and individual artists.