ArtHelps Local Arts Program
In partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Monmouth Arts offers ArtHelps Local Arts Program Grants through a competitive application process. The grants are intended to support organizations and programs that serve the public and provide access to a diverse array of quality arts experiences throughout Monmouth County.
Eligible recipients include Monmouth County nonprofit arts organizations and community groups with arts programs that provide excellent arts events that are accessible and beneficial to the public. Organizations must be able to complete all reporting necessary by the deadlines in order to accept public funds, including the application, a contract, an interim report, and a final report.
Applicants should consider the current funding priorities of Monmouth Arts, which are outlined in detail on this page and in the grant guidelines. ArtHelps Local Arts Program grant applications must be completed on Submittable, Monmouth Arts’ grant portal. Please read the guidelines carefully and follow the link to Submittable (see Applications & Guidelines section). Applicants who are not yet registered with Submittable may sign up for a free account.
Grant workshops will be held to provide step-by-step assistance with the application process and the grants' ADA requirements. These virtual workshops are a valuable resource for those considering applying for any type of grant. Monmouth Arts launched a new online application portal in early 2021 and has made changes to the application process and priorities, so it is highly recommended that organizations applying for the 2024 grant cycle attend one of these workshops.
Important Dates: Fiscal Year 2024 Grant Period January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
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Applications available: April 19th, 2023
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Online Workshops: May 2nd at 5:00pm and May 3rd at 12:00pm (click HERE to download the presentation)
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Deadline: Wednesday, June 14th at 4:00pm
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Awards Announced: October 2023
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Contracts due: November 2023
Types of Grants
Please be sure to read the complete guidelines for the grant to which you are applying. Applicants may only apply for one type of grant per year.
2024 General Operating Support (GOS)
General Operating Support grants are available to support the overall operations of nonprofit organizations that are exclusively devoted to the arts. Applicants must have an arts-related primary mission and a current strategic plan. Requests may not exceed 20% of the organization’s annual operating budget.
2024 Special Project Support (SPS)
Special Project Grants are available to support organizations with an arts project or event that will occur either once or periodically for a short duration of time. Eligible applicants include organizations with an arts mission as well as non-arts organizations, municipal agencies and educational and religious institutions with an arts-specific project or event. Requests can be for up to 50% of project or event expenses, with a minimum request of $1,000 and a maximum of $5,000.
2023 Mini Grant (MG)
Mini Grants ($500) are available for arts projects to new and emerging organizations, and organizations requiring a small amount of funding. Mini Grants have a simplified application process and a short time frame from application to award. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed every two months. Mini Grants are intended as an introduction to the ArtHelps grant program. Five (5) Mini Grants are available for 2023.
2023 Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Grant (EDI) NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR 2023!
Monmouth Arts is offering an infusion of $15,000 in funds in 2023 to support arts activities such as art exhibitions, performances, arts-related workshops, public art installations, etc. that promote equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion and that impact traditionally underserved constituencies in Monmouth County. Such constituencies include but are not limited to BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ populations, seniors, underserved youth, and nonprofits that address mental health or serve individuals with disabilities. Project grants range from $1,000 to $3000 and must be used before December 31, 2023. Grants will be provided for work across all artistic disciplines (dance, music, craft, film, traditional art, theater and performance, multidisciplinary, visual, and literary). The deadline to apply is May 24, 2023.
Note: Municipal agencies and educational and religious institutions may apply for Special Project Support or Mini Grant only.
Interested applicants and current regrantees can refer to the Grant Toolkit section of this page for additional resources.
Questions? Contact Connie Isbell: connie@monmoutharts.org or 732-212-1890 x 101
Funding Priorities
As part of our efforts to respond to the changing needs of those we serve, Monmouth Arts is continuing to evolve our programming, operations, and grantmaking. Please note that the funding priorities have been updated. Applicants should show strong initiative in one or more of the following areas:
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Serving the needs of local artists with exemplary programs, opportunities, services, or presentation of their work.
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Promoting cultural equity, diversity, and inclusion through projects that elevate the voices and experiences of historically marginalized groups, including those that create opportunities for artists and community members who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) or individuals living with a disability.
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Forging partnerships and collaborations among individuals or organizations, especially those that include different perspectives within the community and connect the arts to other sectors such as economic development, social services, public safety, and health and healing.
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Broadening public participation by attracting more people to the arts, bringing in audiences different from those the organization is already attracting, or deepening experiences by increasing current participants' levels of involvement.
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Advancing and advocating for arts education in schools and life-long learning through the arts.
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Preserving and conserving art forms and cultural heritage through public presentation.
Grant Applications and Guidelines
ArtHelps Local Arts Program grant applications must be completed on Submittable, Monmouth Arts’ grant portal. Please read guidelines carefully and then follow the link to the Submittable application. Applicants who are not yet registered with Submittable may sign up for a free account.
2023 Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Grant Guidelines and Application | CLICK HERE FOR 2023 APPLICATION
Preview of Guidelines and Sample Application in Word
Download the 2023 EDI Budget Sheet
2023 Mini Grant Guidelines and Application | EMAIL FOR STATUS OF AVAILABILITY
Preview of Guidelines and Sample Application in Word
Fiscal Year 2024 General Operating Support Guidelines and Application | CLICK HERE FOR 2024 APPLICATION
Preview of Guidelines and Sample Application in Word
Download the FY 2024 General Operating Support Finance Chart
Fiscal Year 2024 Special Project Support Guidelines and Application | CLICK HERE FOR 2024 APPLICATION
Grant Status
Check here for updates about the status of ongoing and future ArtHelps opportunities:
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A new Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Grant opportunity is available for 2023. Deadline is May 24, 2023.
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Five Mini Grants are available for 2023; applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed every two months.
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Fiscal Year 2024 ArtHelps Local Arts Program grant applications were made available in April 2023. Deadline is June 14, 2023. Funding announcements will be made in October 2023.
Free workshops for interested applicants are offered each year during the grant cycle. Click HERE to download the most recent presentation from our May 2023 virtual grant workshops.
Grant Toolkit
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Accessibility Planning: Need help with ADA planning? Visit the New Jersey Theatre Alliance’s Cultural Access Network Project for resources and the recommended self-assessment survey tool.
Previous Grants
Art Alliance of Monmouth County
Asbury Park African-American Music Project
Atlantic Highlands Arts Council
Congratulations to the 2023 ArtHelps Local Arts Program Regrantees!
Monmouth Arts is pleased to announce the recipients of Renew 2022 grants to support free arts events and live performances in Monmouth County this year. In partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Monmouth Arts has awarded a total of $30,000 to 10 organizations. These grants will go towards reviving Monmouth County live performances and events that fuel the reopening and recovery of nonprofit arts organizations.
Monmouth Arts and the Monmouth Arts Board of Trustees congratulates the 10 recipients of the Renew 2022 grants: Creative Operations, Asbury Park African-American Music Heritage Project, Red Bank Chamber Music Society, Jazz Arts Project, Wooden Walls Public Art Project, Asbury Park Arts Council, Hellenic Dancers of New Jersey, Atlantic Highlands Arts Council, Dromio Players, and Center Players.
“Monmouth Arts recognizes that arts organizations and the artists have been especially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 Renew Grant Program was designed to get funds into the hands of arts organizations quickly so that Monmouth County can return to live, in-person performances and events,” said Teresa Staub, Executive Director of Monmouth Arts. “We’re grateful to have the opportunity to continue our outreach and serve the arts community.”
Monmouth Arts encourages the public to support these organizations and their events. The first funded event, Red Bank Chamber Music, was held in Red Bank on June 19th in partnership with the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center in celebration of Juneteenth. Other events coming up include Turf Tuesdays from the Asbury Park African-American Music Heritage Project, Center Players’ production of Jackie Robinson, the Jazz Arts Project’s Sundays in the Park with Jazz, and a new mural project on the Asbury Park Boardwalk on the exterior walls of the wastewater treatment plant.