New NPS Centennial Arts Grants Program Launched

The National Park Service is partnering with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) on a new arts grant initiative that jointly celebrates the 50th anniversary of the NEA in 2015 and the centennial anniversary of the NPS in 2016.

The initiative, entitled “Imagine Your Parks,” unites the missions of the two agencies to promote and protect the nation’s cultural and natural treasures. The grants also build on A Call to Action’s Arts Afire action item (#10) as well as the success of the NPS Artist-in-Residence program.

“Imagine Your Parks”—a national centennial program—will provide a total of $1 million in grants through the NEA Art Works grant category to any NPS external partner or organization that uses the arts, in all forms, to connect people with the National Park System and its programs.

This category of NEA grants can be awarded to any type of NPS partner organization, but may not be given to individuals, or directly to the NPS. The program has been designed with maximum flexibility, allowing projects in all art disciplines to be considered for funding. Projects are not required to take place in a national park. Guidelines can be found on the NEA’s Art Works website.

National Park Service staff, volunteers, and partners can help spread the word about this extraordinary grant opportunity to connect with and create the next generation of park visitors, supporters, and advocates. Applicants are encouraged to create projects that promote public engagement in urban environments, or that engage younger generations with the National Park System.

Prospective grantees, such as communities, friends groups, schools, arts agencies and associations, museums, and youth organizations, can learn more about the “Imagine Your Parks” opportunity by registering for NEA’s January 21st webinar.

Recent NEA grants involving national parks range from supporting traditional Appalachian folk music and dance at the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, Virginia (park of the NPS Blue Ridge Parkway), to helping artists create new work at the Headlands Center for the Arts at historic Fort Barry at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

The NPS Arts in the Parks website features examples of how parks and partners are creatively engaging young people and audiences of all ages through the arts.

The first deadline for applications is February 19th (please note several steps are required in advance to submit an application, and applicants should begin the process early). Visit the NEA website for “Imagine Your Parks” arts grants guidelines and step-by-step instructions.