Guidelines for the Division's FY27 annual grants have been released. We encourage grantees to review the updated guidelines before beginning your application in smARTDE.

The deadline for applications is Monday, March 2, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

The Division will be accepting the following applications for the March 2 deadline:

The Delaware Division of the Arts offers a variety of grant programs for individual artists; nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations chartered and based in Delaware; and schools and government entities that support arts activities.

Arts Access - Supports small budget projects that include the presentation of performing, visual, literary, media, or folk arts in communities throughout the state. Organizations that receive General Operating Support are generally not eligible to apply. Rolling deadline – submit at least 6 weeks prior to the project start date.

Artist Opportunity - Grants provide up to $1,000 to support individual artists with unique professional and artistic development or presentation opportunities. Please note: there are new application components required for this application to verify identity and residency requirements. Next deadline: January 2.

Artist Residency - Grants for residencies with visual, literary, performing or media artists working with students in the classroom or in professional development workshops with teachers. Rolling deadline – submit at least 6 weeks prior to start of the scheduled residency.

TranspARTation - Grants that support transportation costs (up to $500) for schools to bring students to Delaware arts and cultural institutions and venues in order to attend arts performances, events, and exhibits. Rolling deadline – submit at least 6 weeks prior to the field trip date. 

Are you a State of Delaware employee? Don’t miss the chance to be recognized in Delaware for your creativity!

Enter your artwork in The Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition. Sponsored by The National Arts Program®, in support and cooperation with the State of Delaware and the Delaware Division of the Arts, the exhibit is judged by professional artists and visual art professionals. The Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition is designed to give artists at all skill levels a unique opportunity to exhibit their creative work and to compete for cash prizes.

Guidelines and application materials for the National Endowment for the Arts’ principal grants category, Grants for Arts Projects, are now available. These grants support projects taking place in any part of the nation’s 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. jurisdictions. Application deadlines are February 12, 2026, and July 9, 2026, for projects taking place beginning in 2027.

Activities funded through Grants for Arts Projects enable Americans throughout the nation to experience the arts, foster and celebrate America’s artistic heritage and cultural legacy, and benefit from arts education at all stages of life. We also support arts and health programs, including creative arts therapies, that advance the well-being of people and communities.

As you know, the national arts community, and state arts agencies in particular, are facing unprecedented challenges to their funding, autonomy, freedom of expression, and public image. And yet, the arts remain profoundly adaptive and resilient. As we begin shaping the next publicly informed, five-year strategic plan for the Delaware Division of the Arts, it is essential that this plan proactively consider scenarios and options for responding to change, disruption, and emerging needs for Delaware’s arts and culture sector, while continuing to advance our mission of arts support and leadership.

Your voice is a critical part of that work. In the coming months, there will be opportunities to meet with our strategic plan consultants from Cultural Planning Group, Martin Cohen, David Plettner-Saunders, Surale Phillips, and Rosario Tapia Frias.

We encourage your candid feedback during this process. These listening forums are separate from the listening tours that were run by Angela Han in the summer/fall of 2025. While the information shared with her will be shared with the CPG team, we encourage you to participate in this process as well.

The Delaware Division of the Arts is pleased to announce that Director Jessica Ball has been elected to the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) Board of Directors, a role that positions Delaware to help shape national arts policy and strengthen the creative economy across all 56 U.S. states and jurisdictions. Ball began her three-year term in October 2025.

NASAA serves as the national leadership and advocacy organization for state arts agencies, working to advance public support for the arts as a driver of community vitality, economic growth, civic identity, and educational opportunity. The organization provides research, policy guidance, strategic learning networks, and federal representation that helps state arts councils, including the Delaware Division of the Arts, deliver programs that meet the needs of their communities. Participation on the NASAA board allows state leaders to shape how public arts funding advances cultural equity, strengthens local arts ecosystems, supports artists, and expands creative opportunity nationwide.

Meet the Fellows

The prestigious Individual Artist Fellowships from the Delaware Division of the Arts recognize a variety of disciplines and outstanding quality of work. From writers to visual artists to musicians, these award-winning creatives have unique stories and talents.

To see the full listing of 2025's Individual Artist Fellows, visit https://arts.delaware.gov/iafrecipients/

The Grand Opera House

Performing Arts in Wilmington

Wilmington

General Operating Support

Delaware Theatre Company

Shrek: The Musical

Wilmington

General Operating Support