Organizer Information
New Mexico Arts is the state arts agency responsible for supporting and strengthening the arts across New Mexico. Its Arts & The Military Initiative focuses on creating meaningful arts engagement for military-connected communities, including veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, National Guard members, their families, caregivers, and others.
The initiative aims both to expand access to the arts for these communities and to strengthen the capacity of New Mexico organizations to develop effective arts programming for military-connected participants.
Title & Description
Arts & The Military 2027 Optimization Grant
The FY27 Arts & The Military Optimization Grant provides funding to New Mexico organizations seeking to expand or deepen arts programming for military-connected communities. The program offers five grants of $5,000 to eligible organizations ready to increase their reach, strengthen partnerships, or build organizational capacity.
Proposed projects may be new or ongoing, but activities cannot begin before January 1, 2027. Projects can include learning-based arts activities such as classes, workshops, lectures, and virtual arts programs, as well as capacity-building activities such as professional development, consulting, research, program development, and evaluation.
Projects should demonstrate measurable organizational and/or participant outcomes, such as improved program capacity, stronger community partnerships, creative skill development, social engagement, belonging, and resilience.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Performing Arts
- Literature & Writing
- Music
- Film & Media
- Multidisciplinary Arts
- Arts Education
- Community Arts
- Arts Administration & Capacity Building
- Virtual/Online Arts Programs
The grant is not restricted to a specific artistic medium; proposed activities must serve the program's military-connected audiences or strengthen the organization's ability to provide arts experiences for them.
Eligibility
Applicants must be New Mexico nonprofit organizations, units of government, or Indian tribal government entities.
Eligible organizations must also:
- Have received an Arts & The Military Mini Grant during FY23–FY26, or received a New Mexico Arts award in FY26.
- Have submitted all required previous New Mexico Arts final invoices and reports by their deadlines.
- Meet applicable state and federal legal requirements, including nonprofit/tax-exempt status at the time of application.
- Submit only one application per organization/institution.
- Propose activities taking place within New Mexico.
- Not apply through a fiscal agent.
Organizations serving populations historically underserved by the arts because of ethnicity, economic circumstances, geography, or disability are encouraged to apply.
An Advance Review is required for eligible first-time Arts & The Military applicants and previous mini-grant recipients proposing a new project idea.
Program Benefits & Awards
Five selected organizations will receive a fixed $5,000 grant. No matching funds are required, and selected applicants receive the full requested amount.
Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis and may support:
- Personnel costs
- Artist and contractor fees
- Travel
- Marketing and public relations
- Space rental
- Art supplies
- Certain other program-related expenses
Awardees also participate in a Peer Learning Community, online sessions, capacity-building workshops, panel presentations, and hands-on learning activities.
Grantees must establish relevant outcomes, collect participant surveys, document activities photographically, and submit a final report and invoice.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Completed applications must be submitted by email to Kevin Lenkner, Arts & The Military Program Coordinator, at kevin.lenkner@dca.nm.gov.
Key Dates
- Advance Review Deadline: 25 September 2026, for applicants who are required to complete an Advance Review.
- Application Deadline: 6 November 2026
- Award Notification: 3 December 2026
- Grant/Project Period: January 1–June 15, 2027
- Final Report & Invoice Deadline: 15 June 2027
Location
New Mexico, United States
Additional Details
The grant is intended for organizations rather than individual artists; funds cannot be awarded directly to individuals or used for fellowships, scholarships, cash prizes, or individual awards.
Applicants should ensure that proposed activities do not overlap with projects or costs funded through another New Mexico Arts grant. Funding also excludes capital improvements, permanent acquisitions, deficit reduction, fundraising activities, recreational projects, and several other restricted expenses.
Funded programs must be physically accessible and provide appropriate access and effective communication for people with disabilities. Grantees must also acknowledge New Mexico Arts' support in relevant program and promotional materials.
Selected organizations are required to provide 3–5 high-quality photographs documenting military-connected participants, accompanied by captions and signed photo releases for identifiable participants.