Creative Aging Partnership Grants

Project Activity Dates 
July 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027  (Grant Period FY2027)

Grant Amount 
Up to 30,000 per organization (grant request cannot exceed 30% of organizations operating budget)
Match requirement: 1:1 (100%). Half of the match (50%) may be in-kind support. Matching
funds may not be other Oklahoma Arts Council funds.
Administrative fee: Grantees may allocate up to 20% of their grant award for organization salaries and administrative/operating expenses directly related to the funded project. Award amounts are determined using the grant program scoring criteria and agency priorities.

Application Opens
January 15, 2026

Informational Webinar
To be determined

Application Deadline
March 15, 2026

Grantee Cohort Meetings and Trainings
To be determined

Cohort Monthly Meetings
To be determined

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations incorporated in the State of Oklahoma as a Domestic Not for Profit Corporation
  • In good standing with the IRS (Organizations who have had their IRS status revoked are not eligible for Oklahoma Arts Council grant support. It is your responsibility to ensure that your status is current at the time of the application and throughout the life of your award.)
  • In good standing with the State of Oklahoma
  • Registered with a SAM UEI number and eligible to receive federal support (organizations cannot be listed under the SAM Exclusions federal debarred or suspended list)
• City, county, and federally-recognized tribal governments
• Colleges and universities 
• Public libraries

Organizations receiving Oklahoma Arts Council funding in other grant programs may also apply for this grant opportunity.

Learning-based arts programs, such as classes, residencies, and workshops (frequency and duration may vary; focus should be on sequential hands-on learning)  where each participant receives six or more hours of hands-on arts engageme

Allowable Expenses:
Funding from the grant program can be used to reimburse the following expenses: 

• Teaching Artist Fees (payment to the teaching artist hired or contracted to lead instruction)
• Teaching Artist Travel Expenses (may include mileage, lodging, or other costs but cannot include food or drink)
• Participant Travel Expenses (may include transportation/bus rental/charter fees or other costs but cannot include food or drink)
• Administrative or Technical Fees (up to 15% of award, may include salaries/benefits or other administrative/operations fees directly related to the project such as project coordinators or grant writers)
• Consumable Supplies (must be directly related to the project)
• Other Expenses (including printed programs, signage, licensing and/or royalty fees, etc.)

Unallowable expenses include tickets, tuition, scholarships, capital expenditures and/or building improvements, permanent art installations, activities for which college credit is given, loss of revenue, debt repayment, subgranting, duties or expenses related to fundraising and/or lobbying, activities or expenses that may advance or inhibit any religious belief, events that are not open to the public, cash prizes or awards, and hospitality expenses (i.e., food, drink, receptions, parties, galas). See the Grant Terms and Conditions for full cost principles.

Creative Aging Academy
The grantee’s key program staff will be required to attend a three-day Zoom training (6 total hours) led by Lifetime Arts. Dates and times are to be determined.

Orientation, Cohort Meetings, and Site Visits 
Upon notification of award, grantees will attend an orientation meeting with the Oklahoma Arts Council’s Arts Learning and Communities Director and Grants Director to review the program guidelines, payment request process, and general program expectations. Key program staff will attend monthly meetings on Zoom with other grantees to discuss program process, feedback, and any other topics that may arise. You may be asked to provide data in preparation for the check-in and cohort meetings, including but not limited to:

• The number of older adults, participants, and sites being served
• Overview of project scope and timeline, and example of curricula or lesson plan(s) utilized for the project

In addition, grantees will receive one-to-one mentorship from Lifetime Arts. Site visits will also be conducted by Oklahoma Arts Council to observe programs, discuss process, feedback, and other items.

Evaluation
You will conduct evaluations provided by Oklahoma Arts Council before and after the project activity dates. 

Payment Requests 
Oklahoma Arts Council grants are paid on a reimbursement basis, after services or products are rendered. Payments for this partnership grant will be processed in two installments: 50% of the grant in February and the remaining 50% of the grant in July. A written progress report, payment request form, or other reporting requirements may be required before each payment is processed. Please see your award notification package for complete details on the payment request process.

Other Requirements
If selected for funding, grantee organizations must comply with all requirements as outlined in the Legal Assurances/General Grant Terms, grant contract, and grant program guidelines, including but not limited to the following:

• Signed electronic grant contract by the deadline specified in the award notification email
• Updated contact, mailing, and payment/banking information with the Oklahoma Arts Council and Oklahoma Supplier Portal
• Thank you letters to the organization’s and participating sites’ legislators
• Use of Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, and Tobacco Settlement and Entitlement Trust (TSET) logos
• Timely submission of required reports
• Retention of all financial records (including invoices and receipts) related to the grant award for seven (7) years

About the Oklahoma Creative Aging Initiative

The Oklahoma Arts Council's Creative Aging Initiative was launched in 2021 through grant funding provided by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy. The initiative will build capacity across the state for community-based arts education programs serving older adults. Creative aging programs offer improved quality of life for this fast-growing segment of the population. Through the initiative, the Oklahoma Arts Council will offer professional development, form advisory groups, and facilitate statewide convenings.

Step 1: Your organization must be verified in the Oklahoma Arts Council grant portal before applying for this grant opportunity. If your organization is new to Oklahoma Arts Council grants, you must create a new account in the Fluxx grant portal and complete the eligibility verification process (which may take up to 15 days to review and process). If you have questions, contact our grants office at grants@arts.ok.gov or 405-521-2040.

Step 2: Once your organization is verified, you can start an application from the Apply for Funding page. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on the application deadline date published on the grant program guidelines. If an application deadline falls on a weekend or state holiday, the application will be due by 5:00 p.m. on the next business day. Late submissions are subject to the noncompliance policies as outlined in the General Grant Terms and Conditions.

Grant Process

1. Request access to the grant portal
2. Submit an application
3. Application is reviewed by Oklahoma Arts Council
4. Award notification (if the project is selected for funding)
5. Authorizing Official accepts grant contract
6. Project activity occurs
7. Grant Administrator submits final report 
8. Grant payment is processed 

Question: What types of artistic disciplines can be supported? 
Answer: The Oklahoma Arts Council uses artistic quality as one of its review criteria for grants. Artistic disciplines include, but are not limited to, music, theatre, dance, literary arts, media arts, and visual arts. If you have questions about the eligibility of your project, please contact our Arts Learning in Communities Director.

Question: My organizations is already receiving funding through Oklahoma Arts Council’s other grant programs. Can I apply for this opportunity? 
Answer: Yes, eligible organizations can apply for this partnership opportunity in addition to other grants received. If you receive an award, none of the required match may come from another Oklahoma Arts Council grant award.