The Operating Support program supports the full range of programming of Oregon’s nonprofit arts organizations with annual operating budgets of more than $150,000. The most competitive applicants are arts organizations that offer ongoing, sustained, high-quality arts services or artistic programming and community impact.
Operating Support awards typically range from $3,000 to $40,000. These awards contribue to an organization’s full range of arts programming and operations.
To be eligible, applicants must operate within a mission that describes the arts as the primary purpose and focus of the organization. The Arts Commission funds organizations working primarily in Dance, Film/Media, Interdisciplinary, Music, Arts Services, Literary, Theatre and Visual Arts.
Operating Support applications are evaluated in multi-year cycles. Organizations will submit a full narrative application including Data Arts report and work samples for panel review in some years, and an abbreviated application with a Data Arts report in others. Award amounts are calculated annually through a formula that takes into account review panel score, organization fiscal size, previous awards and available funds. More information about the application cycle can be found in the program guidelines.