Municipal Support for the Arts

The Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) believes that providing the local arts community with financial assistance is an investment in the continued cultural growth of the city of Atlanta. At the same time, the Office recognizes that government resources are limited while demands for services are high. For this reason, the Office views its financial assistance role as that of a catalyst, helping to augment and strengthen a grantee’s overall base of support. All funded activities must take place within the city of Atlanta and result in presentations available to the general public.

• Tax-exempt, non-profit arts organizations (1) incorporated in the State of Georgia, (2) headquartered in Atlanta, within the corporate limits, for at least one year prior to the application deadline, and (3) have 501(c)(3) IRS tax-exempt status.
• Tax-exempt, non-profit community organizations that are not involve in arts programming on a regular basis, but initiate arts programming as part of their service to the community (1) incorporated in the State of Georgia, (2) headquartered in Atlanta, within the corporate city limits, for at least a year prior to the application deadline, and (3) have 501(c)(3) IRS tax-exempt status.
• Practicing professional artists (1) who reside in Atlanta, within the corporate city limits, and (2) who have been residents for at least one year prior to the application deadline.

*Refer to the Application Guidelines for Eligibility Requirements for a specific funding category.

• Private, for-profit organizations.
• Artists who reside outside the city of Atlanta, including areas classified as metropolitan Atlanta.
• Artists whose projects were funded during the most recent grant cycle.
• Contractors who have not successfully completed other OCA contracts within the last five years.
• Employees of the City of Atlanta.

• Publicly accessible arts programs in all arts disciplines that take place in the city of Atlanta.
• Administrative and marketing support to arts organizations related to audience development and community outreach.
• Community arts programs that provide arts opportunities to the public.
• Artistic components of festivals.
• Percentage of staff salaries related to funded projects and activities.
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• Projects occurring outside the city of Atlanta.
• Private events that are closed to the general public; or exhibitions at commercial, privately owned galleries; or activities restricted to an organization’s membership.
• College/university or school projects that are a required part of the curriculum and/or which do not involve and serve a significant non-student population.
• Deficit or debt reduction, fund-raising, lobbying, building construction or renovation, purchase of equipment and real property.
• Hospitality and food costs.
• Projects of a religious nature that are designed to promote or inhibit religious belief and/or practice and which have no basis underlying secular theme or topic.