Updates on National Endowment for the Arts FY26 Grant Opportunities | |
The National Endowment for the Arts is updating grant guidelines with deadlines in March and July 2025. These changes impact organizations applying directly to the NEA in the Grants for Arts Projects or Challenge America categories only; please see below for pertinent details. | |
Important Notice:
The changes above do not impact any of the Division's upcoming FY2026 grant applications. For questions, please contact your DDOA grant officer here.
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FY26 DDOA Grant Deadline Approaching - March 3 | |
Upcoming 2025 Poetry Out Loud State Finals | |
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Join us on February 20, 2025 at 6 p.m. at the Smyrna Opera House for the 20th 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 below the list 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 May 5-7, 2025, where $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be distributed.
This year's finalists are:
Cale Cooper, Delaware Valley Classical School
Trinity Gbolo, MOT High School
Becca Hurwitz, Concord High School
Brooke Kennedy, Saint Mark’s High School
Abby Krape, The Sanford School
Carmen Mestre-Tlacuatl, Delcastle Technical High School
Cathy Mosely, Paul M. Hodgson Vo-Tech High School
Elias Olvera, Cape Henlopen High School
Anawo (Nife) Olunifemi, Sussex Central High School
Kalor Pewee, First State Military Academy
Chase Reynolds, Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences
Olivia Stevens, Mount Sophia Academy
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Space Still Open in Sussex County's CreatiVetreans Program | |
The Delaware CreatiVeterans Program, in partnership with the Office of Veterans Services and Mariposa Arts, is designed to provide Delaware’s veteran population with opportunities for artistic expression, social interaction, and enhanced mental and physical health through meaningful engagement in the arts. | | |
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Sussex County
Mixed-Media Collage Making
Taught by Vanita Leatherwood
During this eight-session workshop series participants may be playful and bold and anything in between as they experience the fun of mixed-media collage making. In this introductory class participants will explore the use of craft embellishments, paper, and “found art” materials to create mixed-media collages on wood. The creative process includes guided reflection work using music, quotes/affirmations and sharing with others as the catalyst to create three mixed-media pieces of various shapes/sizes.
Wednesday from 9-11am from Now-March 19
Location: Rehoboth Art League
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Professional Development Webinar for Musicians | |
Musicians—whether classically trained virtuosos, jazz improvisers, pop performers, or anything in between—have unique business and community needs. These quarterly meet-ups are designed to provide practical, real-world financial insights specifically tailored for Delaware musicians, along with opportunities for collaboration, support, and community-building. The mission is to build financial knowledge and skills while fostering a vibrant, creative community within Delaware – like a green room where the backstage conversations are all about money. | | |
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2024 Taxes for Musicians
April 7 from 6-7:30pm
FREE!
If it is true that the only certain things in life are death and taxes, this workshop will make navigating one of those things considerably easier. We’ll review federal income tax basics for Delaware musicians including common business deductions claimed. We’ll also outline how the tax landscape changes based on the type of income a musician earns and highlight key aspects of tax law that impact financial wellness, including deducting interest for student loan payments and saving for retirement. We’ll touch briefly on some state and local income tax issues, and we’ll conclude by reviewing some tips and best practices to keep excellent records.
As part of this workshop, we will:
- Identify ordinary and necessary deductions common to musicians.
- Review the overall income tax landscape for common federal and state filings.
- Identify records to retain for tax purposes and effective systems for tracking expenses and income.
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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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Delaware Nonprofits Invited to Apply for 2025 State Employees’ Charitable Campaign by March 31 | |
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The State Employees’ Charitable Campaign (SECC) Steering Committee invites Delaware nonprofit organizations to apply for participation in the 2025 campaign. Applications opened on February 1, 2025, and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2025.
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 2024 SECC, state employees raised $311,255.63, surpassing the $300,000 goal, and supported 158 charitable organizations. The 2025 campaign runs September 1 through October 31, 2025.
“I’m proud that Delaware’s state employees are committed to giving back, and last year’s campaign surpassed its goal, supporting over 150 nonprofits. I encourage eligible organizations to apply and be part of this effort,” said Governor Matt Meyer.
Access the application here. 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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14th Annual State Employee Art Exhibition Opening | |
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Join us at Delaware State University from February 25 – March 21, 2025, for the 14th Annual State Employee Art Exhibition—a vibrant showcase of creativity from Delaware’s dedicated state employees and their families.
250 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 Gallery
Dates: February 25 – March 21, 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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Deadline Approaching: Walking Together | |
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Walking Together: Investing in Folklife in Communities of Color supports folklife and traditional arts rooted in communities of color by investing in artists/practitioners and the community organizations that care for them. It is a national funding program managed by the six U.S. regional arts organizations (RAOs).
Often called the “art of everyday life,” folklife includes traditional art forms and other creative expressions that reflect the aesthetics, practices, values, and beliefs of community groups. All traditions are connected to the history of the communities that practice them, but they are not just art forms of the past. Instead, they are “living traditions” that adapt to remain relevant in a changing world, including new and emerging traditions. Individuals and communities use traditional arts to build collective power, engage in healing, and strengthen their identity. Walking Together serves traditional artists/practitioners and organizations that show a deep commitment to sustaining folklife rooted in communities of color.
Summary Information:
- $15,000 grants for traditional artists/practitioners
- $50,000 grants for community organizations
- Grant funds have limited restrictions and do not have to be used for a specific project. They may be used to grow your work and help you support your community’s traditions into the future.
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Other Grant Opportunities from Mid Atlantic Arts | |
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ArtsCONNECT - ArtsCONNECT supports performing arts touring projects collaboratively developed by presenters working together in the mid-Atlantic region. Deadline: February 25, 2025.
Folk and Traditional Arts Community Projects Grants - Folk and Traditional Arts Community Projects grants fund projects that support the vitality of traditional arts and cultures in the mid-Atlantic region. Deadline: March 10, 2025.
Mid Atlantic Tours - Mid Atlantic Tours brings exemplary performing arts ensembles to communities across the mid-Atlantic region. Deadline: March 27, 2025.
Special Presenter Initiatives - The Special Presenter Initiatives provide additional opportunities for the support of small to mid-sized performing arts presenters in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia, and Native nations that share this geography. Deadline: March 13, 2025
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On the Mezzanine -
Jennifer Small
The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery will showcase “Walking in the City,” an exhibition by Jennifer Small.
The exhibition of paintings runs now through February 28, 2025, with a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, February 7, from 5:00–7:00 p.m.
In 2023, Jennifer Small received an Artist Opportunity Grant from the Division for an intensive workshop in Italy, and this exhibition features the paintings that were created after that project.
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Delaware Art Museum
DelArt Nights: The Poetry As Activism Celebration
Wilmington, General Operating Support
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Chapel Street Players
The Foxy Mrs. Bumpstead-Leigh
Newark
General Operating Support
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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. | | | | |
