​​​​

This information was originally featured in the twentieth​ ​edition of Creative Copy, a free service of the Wisconsin Arts Board.​

Creative Copy​ serves artists and arts organizations in Wisconsin, and connects you to useful, timely, and important resources. If you have suggestions, comments, or questions, let u​s know​, and if you haven't yet, make ​sure to subscribe to the Wisconsin Arts News​ and Creative Copy!​​​​​​​​​​​​

America250 Grant Program: Applications Open

​

As we approach the semiquincentennial of the United States of America (America250) in 2026, the WI Arts Board has received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts to support arts projects that celebrate the nation's rich artistic heritage and creativity.​​ We will award 20 of these $2,500 grants.  Application deadline: 2/18/26.

Eligibility: Small or mid-sized* 501c3 nonprofit organizations within WI are eligible to apply for arts related projects honoring the semiquincentennial.

*For the purposes of this program, small organizations are those with annual operating budgets of less than $225,000; mid-sized organizations are those with annual operating budgets of less than $2 million.​

Nonprofit organizations interested in applying for these funds must submit an application that includes a narrative describing their proposed project and a budget for that project.

The America250 grant application form is embedded within the Creative Communities grant application form.  

Please review the full eligibility requirements here​ to ensure your organization can apply for an America250 grant.

Grant amount: $2,500 

The grant must be matched 1:1 by the applicant. At least $1,250 of that match must be in cash. Up to $1,250 of that match can be in in-kind contributions.* Grant awards will be exactly $2,500.

* In-kind contributions are defined as ​​​​​"goods or services contributed to the applicant organization by individuals, other agencies, or businesses that have a demonstrable cash value. These may include items such as donated or discounted space and equipment rental, printing, advertising costs, professional services and other labor, etc. In-kind contributions are valued at fair market price and must be capable of being verified upon request."

Criteria for Selection:

1. Project activities may focus exclusively on celebrating the anniversary, or they may incorporate a special America250-related component or focus within a larger project.

​For example, projects could examine the work of American artists, present or create art recognizing this important milestone, or undertake educational or related programming. 

2. Art (visual, performance-based, multi-media, or literary) must be central to the project.
   

3. America250 project activities must take place at any point between April 1 and Decemb​er 30, 2026. 
   

4. The project budget must be realistic and balance.

 
Application Process:

New applicant organizations

Organizations that have not previously registered within the WAB online application system (SmartSimple) must:

• Click the 'Register' button at the bottom of the page (http://wab.smartsimple.com/)​ and complete registration.
  

• Your new user information will be emailed to the address you provide within your registration within 10 minutes. Please activate immediately. The password will expire.
• Please note: If you are a new contact for an organization that has already registered within the WAB online application system, please contact WAB staff at artsboard@wisconsin.gov.
  

• Follow the steps outlined below. 
  

​​​​​Organizations that are already registered within the WAB online application system​

1. Log-in to WAB's Online Application System (http://wab.smartsimple.com/).
   
   
2. After logging in, click 'Funding Opportunities,' and choose FY27 Creative Communities.
   
   
3. Complete the Applicant Information tab and click the 'Save Draft' button at the bottom of the page.
   
   
4. Click the round letter icon in the top righthand corner of the form and select 'Organizational Profile.' Complete/update:
1. the UEI information (if not previously completed)
2. the Mission Statement
3. the Brief Organizational History section
   
4. After completing/updating, click on the 'Save' button at the bottom of the page.                                                                                                                                                       
   
5. ​​​Complete the Project Details ​tab. After checking the America250 checkbox, select Local Arts as the Creative Communities sub-category to which you will apply. For the question "For which year of the project are you requesting support?" choose New component of an existing project from the pull-down menu. 

The narrative should include the following and be no longer than 450 words:

• ​​​​Describe the project.
• State the reason(s) for the project/the goal(s).
• Who will do what? (Include project leaders, artists, and members of the broader community with whom you’ll work).
• When will they do what you just described? Provide a general timeline for the project.​​

​​​​​6.  After completing the Project Details tab, click on each of the other tabs at the top of the application and follow the instructions. Please note: On the Budget tab, you will check a box confirming that you have emailed your project budget document to the Arts Board as part of this application. It should include a list of expenses and income sources (including the $2,500 WAB grant) that balance.