2027 CULTURAL AND HERITAGE OCEAN COUNTY LOCAL ARTS PROGRAM GRANT

The Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission is soliciting applications for its 2027 Local Arts Program, a grant program funded by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Eligible applicants—non‑profit arts organizations, local government units, and higher‑education institutions that have operated in Ocean County for at least two years—may apply for one of three funding categories: General Operating Support (GOS), Joint Operating Support (JOS), or Special Project Support (SPS). Applications must be submitted electronically via the County’s OpenGov procurement portal by October 8, 2026. The grant can fund salaries, artist fees, supplies, equipment rentals, venue rentals, publicity, accessibility services, insurance, and other eligible expenses; however, capital purchases, real‑estate, and unrelated costs are prohibited. Evaluation will be based on artistic merit, public benefit to Ocean County, work plan feasibility, budget reasonableness, organizational capacity, and accessibility. Awards are made at the discretion of the County Board of Commissioners and are subject to available funding. • Eligible entities: 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) nonprofits, local government units, colleges/universities. • Funding categories: GOS (operational support), JOS (partial arts support for multidisciplinary orgs), SPS (project‑specific support, max $2,500). • Application deadline: Thursday Oct 8 2026 (electronic submission only). • Required documentation: full application questionnaire, budget, certifications, electronic signature. • Evaluation criteria: artistic merit, public benefit, work plan, budget, capacity, accessibility. • Grant period: typically one fiscal year (assumed 12 months). • No pre‑bid meeting or site visit required.