Opportunity Overview
The Tennessee Arts Commission is accepting applications for Creative Aging Tennessee IV, a one-time grant initiative supporting sequential arts learning for Tennesseans age 60 and older in rural communities and urban areas with limited arts access. The controlling grant guidelines expressly describe this as an arts learning program rather than a health intervention model.
Funding
Eligible applicants may request up to $4,000. No match is required. Awards are reimbursement-based, with no advance payment, and funding is distributed on a first-come basis until funds are depleted.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include Tennessee nonprofit organizations with current 501(c)(3) status that are legally chartered in Tennessee and eligible governmental entities, including qualifying public colleges and universities. Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier. Projects must serve adults age 60 and older and use teaching artists from the Tennessee Arts Commission Creative Aging Artist Roster.
Project Requirements
Projects must provide sustained sequential arts learning, generally four to twelve consecutive weeks, and use an approved Creative Aging teaching artist. Required application materials include applicable Tennessee Secretary of State verification, a board list, artist contact information and biography, curriculum or lesson plans, and a teaching artist contract. Awardees may also need organizational profile materials and FY27 Title VI certification before payment.
Deadline and Submission
This is a genuine rolling opportunity. Applications opened July 1, 2026 and must be submitted at least 30 days before the proposed project start date. The controlling grant guidelines state applications are accepted until funds are depleted and/or April 1, 2027. A separate Tennessee Arts Commission news announcement dated June 30, 2026 says April 30, 2027. Atlas therefore uses the earlier April 1 date as the conservative controlling cutoff unless the Commission formally reconciles the discrepancy. Applications are submitted through the Tennessee Arts Commission Online Grants System.
Material Restrictions
The program does not fund health or wellness intervention programs, capital equipment, or technology costs associated with online program design or delivery. Eligible grant costs are limited primarily to teaching artist fees and consumable project supplies within the Commission’s rules.
Atlas Relevance
Atlas Opportunity Score: 70/100. N9+ Fit: 0/100. This is a legitimate Tennessee education and special-populations funding opportunity, but the verified rules expressly exclude health or wellness interventions, equipment, and relevant online-delivery technology costs. Atlas therefore does not position the Nonagon N9+ device and platform or QC Healthcare for this program.
Contact
Program contact: Kim Johnson, Tennessee Arts Commission, 615-532-9797, kim.johnson@tn.gov. Applicants should verify current portal requirements and available funding before submission.