FY27 Grant Application Due March 2 | | |
Applications for the Division's FY2027 annual grants are due on Monday, March 2, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.
The Division will be accepting the following applications for the March 2 deadline:
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General Operating Support
Support of annual operating expenses to ensure that year-round participation in the arts is available to the people of Delaware. Grant sizes vary.
Note: If an organization is scheduled for a full application, the application will appear under the "Opportunities" button; if an organization is scheduled for an interim application, the application (Interim Report) will appear under the "Reports Pending" button.
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StartUp Program - Letters of Intent Have Closed
StartUp develops and strengthens the management capacity of emerging arts organizations (or those applying for an annual DDOA grant for the first time) while providing modest support for operating expenses. The StartUp Program serves as the gateway for arts organizations that want to enter into the Division’s General Operating Support grant program. Grants up to $2,500 and a program of training classes and consulting with Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA).
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Education Resource
Grants assist in the facilitation of partnerships between Delaware’s schools, arts organizations, and artists in providing standards-based arts learning experiences for Pre K-12 students statewide. Education Resource projects focus on ways that Delaware arts organizations can serve as resources to Delaware schools before, during, and after the school day. Grants may support up to 30% of the direct cash expenses of the project, up to a maximum of $15,000.
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Project Support
Project Support grants assist in the growth of a vibrant cultural environment by supporting increased access to high-quality arts activities presented by community-based organizations throughout the state. Grant requests may be up to 30 percent of the direct cash expenses for the artistic portion with an average awarded amount range of $2,000 to $10,000.
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Arts Stabilization Fund
Support for improvements to facilities owned (or under long-term lease) and operated by the arts organization. Grants up to $20,000.
| | | Additional DDOA Grant Opportunities | | 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.
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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.
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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: April 1
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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.
| | | 2026 Poetry Out Loud Finalists Announced | | |
Join us on February 19, 2026 at 6 p.m. at the Smyrna Opera House for the 21st Annual Poetry Out Loud State Final Competition. The competition encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance and competition. A livestream link is included above for those unable to attend in person.
The State winner will represent Delaware and advance to the Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest, National Finals in Washington, DC on April 27-29, 2026, where $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be distributed.
This year's finalists are:
Aaliyah Watson, Paul M. Hodgson Vo-Tech High School
Ana Julia Glanden, Sanford School
Brooke Kennedy, Saint Mark’s High School
Grace (Phy) Sullivan, MOT High School
Henrik Maansson, Wilmington Friends School
Natalia Gatti, Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences
Olivia Stevens, Mount Sophia Academy
Saad Alzabidi, Delcastle Technical High School
Samuel Yarbrough, Smyrna High School
Vittoria Hopper, Sussex Central High School
| | 2026-2030 Strategic Plan Community Survey | | |
Along with our consultants, Cultural Planning Group, the Division is developing a new five-year strategic plan, and we’d like your input. This short five-minute survey will help us better understand the needs and interests of Delaware residents like you, so we can make arts, culture, and creative opportunities more available to everyone across our state!
Throughout the survey, when we say “arts, culture and creative activities,” we mean all artforms, cultural expressions, and individual creativity — ranging from a hobby or pastime, to student activity, personal endeavors, and professional pursuits.
At the end of the survey, you’ll also have the opportunity to express interest in participating in a community conversation in March. Participants in the conversations will receive a $50 Amazon or Visa gift card for their time.
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15th Annual State Employee Art Exhibition:
Exhibition Opens Soon
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Join us at Delaware State University Arts Center/Gallery from February 23 – March 20, 2026, for the 15th Annual State Employee Art Exhibition—a vibrant showcase of creativity from Delaware’s dedicated state employees and their families.
260 artists have submitted stunning works in a variety of mediums—paintings, photography, sculpture, and more! Explore the artistry of those who serve our state in so many ways, and celebrate their creativity beyond the workplace.
Awards and recognition will be given to outstanding pieces, highlighting the incredible talent within our community.
Exhibition Location: Delaware State University Art Center/Gallery, Dover
Dates: February 23 – March 20, 2025
Admission: FREE and open to the public!
Come support your colleagues, neighbors, and friends. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or just looking for a great local experience, you won’t want to miss this inspiring celebration of art and community!
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Call for Artists: Apply to Exhibit in the
Mezzanine Gallery
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Delaware artists, showcase your work in the Mezzanine Gallery! Located in the Carvel State Office Building in Wilmington, the gallery features monthly solo exhibitions highlighting a diverse range of visual arts, including painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, folk, and media arts.
To be considered, artists must submit a Mezzanine Gallery Application through smARTDE by March 15. Artists who have received an Individual Artist Fellowship in the visual arts are also eligible for an exhibition opportunity. Don’t miss this chance to share your work with the community!
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Citizen Photographer Workshops and Open Call for Submissions
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Inspired by federally funded initiatives of the past, Citizen Photographer invites Delaware residents to consider and capture what it means to be a Delawarean at the nation’s 250th anniversary. Three accomplished photographers whose work is represented in the Delaware Art Museum’s collection - Morris Brown II, B. Proud, and Andre’ Wright, Jr. - will lead free photography workshops at The Teen Warehouse, Lewes Public Library, and the Smyrna Opera House, supporting participants in exploring this theme. Delawareans can submit up to two photographs for consideration for exhibitions at these three sites. In addition, a juried selection of photographs from all three organizations will be featured in DelArt’s Citizen Artist exhibition, on view April 11-July 19, 2026.
Citizen Photographer provides an opportunity for community members to partake in civic duty and be productive and engaged citizens who shape public perceptions of larger identity. Learn more about the free photography workshops below. All Delawareans are invited to submit up to two photographs for consideration on this free portal.
The Teen Warehouse
Friday, Feb 13, 2026, Two sessions: 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Morris Brown II, Register
Lewes Public Library
Saturday, February 21, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
B. Proud, Register
Smyrna Opera House
Sunday, February 22, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Andre’ Wright, Jr., Register
| | Delaware Nonprofits Invited to Apply for 2026 State Employees’ Charitable Campaign by March 31 | | |
The State Employees’ Charitable Campaign (SECC) Steering Committee invites Delaware nonprofit organizations to apply for participation in the 2026 campaign. Applications opened on February 1, 2026, and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2026.
As the State of Delaware’s primary charitable giving initiative for employees and retirees, the SECC partners with the United Way of Delaware to connect donors with local nonprofit organizations serving families, children, and adults. In the 2025 SECC, state employees raised $300,675, surpassing the $300,000 goal, and supported 168 charitable organizations. The 2026 campaign runs September 1 through October 31, 2026.
“Delaware’s state employees continue to show their commitment to giving back through SECC,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “This program helps support the nonprofit organizations that strengthen our communities, and I encourage eligible charities to apply to be part of this year’s campaign.”
For eligibility details, visit the Resources for Charities page of the SECC website.
For additional information, contact Anna Davis, Statewide SECC Coordinator, by email at SECC@delaware.gov or call (302) 735-6300.
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Applications for Mid Atlantic Arts' Folk and Traditional Arts Community Projects Now Open
Folk and Traditional Arts Community Projects grants fund projects that support the vitality of traditional arts and cultures in Mid Atlantic Arts' region. Non-profit organizations in DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, PR, USVI, VA, or WV may apply for $1,000 to $5,000 grants. A 1:1 match is required.
Eligible project activities may include performances, public art collaborations, workshops/training, exhibitions, fieldwork, documentation, and the creation of new traditional work. Mid Atlantic Arts encourages projects that cross state/territory borders, as well as projects that support or engage underserved or underrepresented artists, practitioners, traditions, or constituents.
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Applications for Mid Atlantic Arts' Mid Atlantic Presenter Initiative Now Open
The program supports performing arts engagements including public performance and community engagement at small and mid-size arts and community organizations, with budgets under $3 million.
Presenters can receive up to 50% subsidy for the presentation of an artist/company (including artistic compensation, housing, per diem, and travel.)
Mid Atlantic Arts is committed to supporting diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible programming in our region. We encourage projects that demonstrate clear mission impact, strong artistry, well-rounded community and artist engagements, and thoughtful and inclusive efforts to engage audiences systemically underserved by the arts.
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Winterthur Artisan Market Call for Artists
Showcase your exceptional wares to more than 6,000 visitors this summer at Artisan Market in the beautiful setting of Winterthur’s garden and estate.
Rooted in Winterthur’s rich heritage, this annual summer event highlights the work of talented regional artisans across a variety of disciplines including art, textiles, ceramics, glass, woodworking, antiques, and gardening—categories that reflect the museum’s legacy and mission.
The application deadline is March 9, with acceptances sent by April 1.
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Applications for Vilcek Foundation Now Open
Grantmaking is an essential part of how the Vilcek Foundation accomplishes its mission: to raise awareness of immigrant contributions to the arts, sciences, and society, and to foster appreciation for the arts and sciences more broadly. Each year, the Vilcek Foundation hosts an open call for grant applications from eligible nonprofits whose mission or programs support immigrant contributions in the arts, sciences, culture, and society.
Specifically, the Vilcek Foundation invests in organizations that creatively uphold their mission through the development of unique and meaningful projects or operations.
Applications for the 2026 Vilcek Foundation Grants are open through April 30, 2026.
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On the Mezzanine -
Christopher Starr
The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery is pleased to present For Granted, a solo exhibition of new work by Christopher L. Starr. The exhibition will be on view from February 6-27, 2026.
In For Granted, Starr turns his attention to the everyday scenes we often pass without notice – reframing them with visual clarity, color, and a quiet sense of humor. The series invites viewers to linger with the familiar and reconsider what “ordinary” can hold when given weight, intention, and a careful eye for composition.
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Smyrna Opera House
Spring 2026 Season
Smyrna
General Operating Support
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Delaware Photographic Society
Ami Vitale presents The Stories that Connect Us
Wilmington
General Operating Support
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New Light Theatre
The White Chip
Wilmington
General Operating Support
| | | | The Delaware Division of the Arts is an agency of the State of Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278. | | | | |
