ArtsWA Community Investments

ArtsWA's Wellness, Arts, and the Military (WAM) program - General Operating Support Grant 

The WAM General Operating Support Grant provides up to $25,000 to organizations that offer arts programs to military connected individuals and communities. 

For the purposes of this grant, "military connected individuals" is defined as U.S. military active-duty service members, guardsmen, reservists, veterans, and their families and caretakers. 

Funding Amount

• Up to $25,000
• No matching funds required

Important Dates

• Application Opens: August 20, 2025
• Application Deadline: October 1, 2025
• Notification of Grant Award: December 1, 2025
• Grant Funded Activities: July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026

Eligibility Requirements, Policies, and Procedures

Who is eligible to apply?

• Washington State non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status
• Washington State tribal, state, or municipal government agency
• National non-profit organization with Washington State chapter(s), for example Veterans of Foreign Wars

Who is not eligible to apply?

• Individuals
• For-profit businesses
• Political or advocacy organizations
• Organizations seeking to fund projects or programs that promote religious content or observance

Additional eligibility requirements:

• minimum two years in continuous operation (organizations may have paused programming due to the pandemic but not ceased operations completely)
• minimum of one professional staff person trained, or willing to get trained, to work with military connected individuals in non-clinical settings
• minimum of one professional staff person with experience managing arts programs
• Within the context of this grant, "arts programming" refers to structured activities that serve military-connected individuals and communities, are conducted under the supervision of the organization's staff, occur on a consistent schedule, and yield quantifiable results. Programs and services that are one-time events, mainly consist of discounts or passes, lack ongoing support, or do not align with the organization's mission statement, are not eligible.

Application Requirements

• SWV Number: Organizations must have an SWV (Statewide Vendor) number to receive grant funds from the state. An SWV number is not required to apply but must be registered and up to date before funds are given. An SWV number can take up to three weeks to be assigned. If your organization has received payment from Washington State in the past two years, it is likely you already have an active SWV number. You can check on the status of your SWV number by using the vendor number lookup.

Non-profit organizations: 

• Board approved operating budgets, with actuals for income and program expenses, for the last two completed years of operation. If operations were paused due to the pandemic also include your board approved budget, with actuals for income and program expenses, for 2019
• IRS Letter of Determination
• Most recently filed IRS form 990

Most recently filed IRS Tax Form: 

• IRS form 1040 (sole proprietors) and the following: Schedule C, Profit and Loss from Business
• IRS form 1065 Partnership Return (no K-1s required)
• IRS form 1120 Corporation Return (no schedules required)
• IRS form 1120S S Corporation Return (no K-1s required)

General Grant Policies

• Use of Funds: Grant recipients must use the funds for costs incurred from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Funds must be spent by June 30, 2026. ArtsWA can make no exceptions to this deadline.
• Reimbursement: This is a reimbursement grant. Grant recipients can submit up to three reimbursement requests or submit one request for the full amount of the grant. We ask that all reimbursement requests be submitted by June 15, 2026 to best facilitate payment by the close of the funding period (June 30, 2026). ArtsWA will send full reimbursement instructions at the time of grant award.
• Documentation: Grant recipients must track expenses, keep clear and precise records and receipts, and provide additional appropriate and timely documentation if requested.
• Final Report: Grant recipients must complete a final report by July 31, 2026. Instructions will come from ArtsWA staff. 

Grant Funds May NOT Be Used For:

• Regranting to individuals or organizations
• Regranting as scholarships
• Renovation, remodeling, restoration, or new construction of buildings
• Purchase of permanent equipment with a cost of $5,000 and up or real property 
• Travel outside of Washington State
• Costs and/or activities outside the grant period (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026)
• Previous losses/debts incurred by the organization
• Costs and/or activities that have already received state appropriations (for example, an applicant may not use these grants funds for costs that are already being funded by a different state agency)
• Supporting specific events if the organization does not also provide military-connected programming

Applying

Grant applications are completed and submitted online between August 20, 2025 and October 1, 2025 at 11:59 pm PST.

We will make no exceptions regarding the application deadline.

ArtsWA will accept applications online through Submittable. If you do not have a Submittable account, you will be prompted to register prior to accessing the online application. Submittable recommends using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari as web browsers.

Please take your time when completing the application. Your work will be automatically saved as you move through the questions if you are connected to the internet. The application does not need to be completed in one sitting.

After the closing date of October 1, 2025, applications will be reviewed, and final determinations will be made. Applicants will be notified of their application status, as well as next steps, starting on December 1, 2025.

Make sure that the contact email you provide is appropriate for receiving emails from ArtsWA.

Contact us:

Bryan Bales, WAM Program Manager at 360-468-0888 or bryan.bales@arts.wa.gov 

Daniya Baisubanova, WAM Program Specialist at 360-252-9979 or daniya.baisubanova@arts.wa.gov

Gabriella Smith, WAM Administrative Assistant at 360-485-1277 or gabriella.smith@arts.wa.gov 

Additional Information

About ArtsWA

ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission. The Washington State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts fund our programs. Grants are contingent on available state and federal funding. ArtsWA complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil and human rights. For more information regarding ArtsWA’s policies on Accessibility, Diversity, and Nondiscrimination, click here.

Transparency

Let us know if individuals involved with your organization also have an affiliation with ArtsWA. This includes ArtsWA staff, commissioners, consultants, contractors, current grant panelists, etc., or immediate family members of any of the former, who are affiliated with your organization. This is for transparency only; the panel will review your application without bias. Read our full Conflict of Interest policy.

Appeals

Unsuccessful applicants may appeal in accordance with Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 30.12.036, found here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=30-12-036.

Wellness, Arts, and the Military (WAM) – Self-directed Art Practice (SAP) Grant 

This grant supports U.S. military-connected individuals. SAP grant funds help you find your voice and pursue personal growth through the arts. The SAP Grant supports military connected artists of all levels. You do not need to be a "professional artist" to apply, any skill level is welcome!

Research shows the benefits of a committed arts practice. They can help military-connected individuals transition to civilian life by promoting independence and creativity. They can also help to relieve stress and anxiety.

The SAP grant provides one-time grants of up to $3,000. These grants pay for costs associated with taking time to practice art. These costs could include:

· in-state travel

· artist workshop or retreat fees

· art supplies

· childcare

Applicants must provide:

· an art practice plan

· 3 art samples

· a simple budget that shows how time and funds will be used

Grant recipients must fill out a questionnaire about their experience after completing the funded art practice time.

Deadline

Friday, October 1, 2025 at 11:59pm PST

Important Dates

• SAP Grant Opens: August 20, 2025
• SAP Grant Closes: October 1, 2025 at 11:59pm PST
• Notification starting on: December 1, 2025
• Design Thinking for Creative Expression Cohort Starts: February 3 & 5, 2026
• Design Thinking Classes will be offered at 2 different times, Tuesdays 12pm - 1pm or Thursdays 5:00pm - 6:00pm
• Selection on class dates and times are in application

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Self-directed Art Practice (SAP) Grant, you must be one of the following:

• a U.S. military active-duty service member, guardsman, reservist, or veteran
• a spouse or registered domestic partner of a U.S. military active-duty service member, guardsman, reservist, or veteran
• a child (at least 18 years old) of a U.S. military active-duty service member, guardsman, reservist, or veteran 
• Past recipients of the grant may apply, however preference will be given to qualified first time applicants
• Members of the same household may apply, however only one applicant per household will be approved
• Preference will be given to qualified service member/veteran applications

In addition, you must: 

• be a current Washington State resident 
• be pursuing an art practice (Visual arts, literary arts, dance, music, theater, media arts*, traditional/folk arts)
• have an SWV (Statewide Vendor) number to receive grant funds from the state. An SWV number is not required to apply but must be registered and up to date before funds are given. An SWV number can take up to three weeks to be assigned. If you have received payment from Washington State in the past two years, it is likely you already have an active SWV number. You can check on the status of your SWV number by using the vendor number lookup. 

* For the purposes of this grant media arts can mean projects presented via film, television, radio, audio, video, the Internet, interactive and mobile technologies as an artistic medium, video games, immersive and multi-platform storytelling, and satellite streaming.

Required Document(s)

You'll be prompted to upload the appropriate document to confirm your military connection: 

U.S. military active-duty service member, guardsman, reservist:

• Department of Defense Identification Card—Common Access Card (CAC) or a Uniformed Services ID Card

U.S. military veteran: 

• DD-214, or State-issued ID (driver's license) with a Veteran designation,  or VA issued Veteran ID Card

Spouse or Child of U.S. military active-duty service member, guardsman, reservist: 

• Department of Defense Dependent ID Card

Spouse of U.S. military veteran:

• Veteran documentation (DD-214 and/or VA ID Card) AND marriage certificate

Child of U.S. military veteran: 

• Veteran documentation (DD-214 and/or VA ID Card) AND birth certificate. Applicant must submit copy of marriage certificate if veteran is a stepparent not listed on birth certificate. 

General Grant Policies

• Use of Funds: Grant recipients must use the funds for costs incurred from January 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026. Funds must be spent by June 30, 2026. ArtsWA can make no exceptions to this deadline.
• Living Expenses: No more then 20% of grant may be used towards living expenses. 
• Reimbursement: The approved grant funds will be disbursed in two equal installments in around February and April of 2026. The payments will be contingent on the attendance of the first and the last class of the Design Thinking for Creative Expression online class. This is an 8-week class where SAP Grantees will be learning strategies for tracking and completing their art projects.
• Documentation: Grant recipients must track expenses, keep clear and precise records and receipts, and provide additional appropriate and timely documentation if requested.
• Project Media: Grant recipient must upload media (photos/videos) of their project for a digital gallery upon completion
• Final Report: Grant recipients must complete a questionnaire about their experience by July 31, 2026.

Grant Funds May NOT Be Used For:

• Travel outside of Washington State
• To develop mass-produced items for retail
• Start up funds for small business
• Contest fees
• Tuition assistance for college, university or other formal course of study that generates course credit
• Purchase of permanent equipment ($3,000 and up) or real property
• Costs and/or activities outside the current grant period (January 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026)
• Costs and/or activities that have occurred prior to the period designated by the grant guidelines
• Previous losses incurred by the individual
• Costs and/or activities that have already received state appropriations (for example, an applicant may not use these grants funds for costs that are already being funded by a different state agency)

Applying

Grant applications can be completed and submitted online at any time between the morning of August 20, 2025 and October 1, 2025 at 11:59 pm PST. 

We will make no exceptions regarding the application deadline.

ArtsWA will accept applications online through Submittable. If you do not have a Submittable account, you will be prompted to register prior to accessing the online application. Submittable recommends using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari as web browsers.

Please take your time when completing the application. Your work will be automatically saved as you move through the questions if you are connected to the internet. The application does not need to be completed in one sitting.

After the closing date of October 1, 2025, applications will be reviewed, and final determinations will be made. Applicants will be notified of their application status, as well as next steps, starting on December 1, 2025. 

Make sure that the contact email you provide is appropriate for receiving emails from ArtsWA.

Contact us:

Bryan Bales, WAM Program Manager at 360-468-0888 or bryan.bales@arts.wa.gov 

Daniya Baisubanova, WAM Program Specialist at 360-252-9979 or daniya.baisubanova@arts.wa.gov

Gabriella Smith, WAM Administrative Assistant at 360-485-1277 or gabriella.smith@arts.wa.gov 

Additional Information

About ArtsWA

ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission. The Washington State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts fund our programs. Grants are contingent on available state and federal funding. ArtsWA complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil and human rights. For more information regarding ArtsWA’s policies on Accessibility, Diversity, and Nondiscrimination, click here.

Transparency

Let us know if individuals involved with your organization also have an affiliation with ArtsWA. This includes ArtsWA staff, commissioners, consultants, contractors, current grant panelists, etc., or immediate family members of any of the former, who are affiliated with your organization. This is for transparency only; the panel will review your application without bias. Read our full Conflict of Interest policy.

Appeals

Unsuccessful applicants may appeal in accordance with Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 30.12.036, found here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=30-12-036.