The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that applications to the 2024 Local Arts grant program (known as “LAP”) will be accepted by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, a division of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.
“The Local Arts Grant Program provides significant support for Union County’s thriving arts scene,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “This program sustains our arts organizations and fosters numerous arts activities of all kinds. This well-conceived initiative continues to open its doors to non-profit arts organizations, libraries, schools, and local government units, creating an inclusive and vibrant network for artistic expression and cultural enrichment.”
Qualifying non-profit arts organizations can apply, as well as libraries, schools, and units of local government.
Two types of grants are available under the LAP program:
- General Operating Support grants are available to arts organizations. The maximum request for 2024 is $14,000 – and cannot exceed 40% of the organization’s 2024 budget.
- Special Project grants are available to both arts organizations and non-arts organizations, to fund a specific arts project, such as a performance series. The maximum request $5,000.
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be based in Union County, and arts activities must take place in Union County during 2024. Grants will be awarded to applicants that demonstrate a high degree of professionalism in arts programming.
Full details, including eligibility requirements, application components and other information, are outlined in the complete LAP Guidelines.
“This grant program plays a pivotal role in building a lively community where organizations can continue to present high-quality programs to the public, and artists can flourish, leaving a lasting impact on our residents,” said Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, Liaison to the Cultural & Heritage Advisory Board. “I encourage qualifying organizations to apply.”
All application materials must be submitted online through the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs grant portal. The portal will open to LAP applicants on August 8, 2023. The deadline to submit a completed LAP application is September 21, 2023.
To obtain the link to the grant portal and begin the application process, first-time applicants must first send the name of their organization by email to Martha Sturm, LAP Grant Coordinator, at msturm@ucnj.org and culturalinfo@ucnj.org. Use both email addresses to ensure a timely response.
For questions about the LAP grant program, contact Martha Sturm at 908-558-2552 or msturm@ucnj.org.
This grant program is made possible by funds from the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
For information about all grants administered by the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, visit www.ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs/funding-opportunities/.