The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona Announces Eleven Grantees of the 2024 Operating Support Grant for Arts Organizations. Over $100,000 awarded to 501(c)(3) Non-Profits and Fiscally-Sponsored Organizations.
Tucson, AZ, February 25, 2025 – The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Operating Support Grant for Organizations (OS Grant), recognizing and uplifting arts organizations across Southern Arizona.
With funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Tucson, and Pima County, and program support from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, this grant cycle stewarded local, regional, state and federal funds as part of a multi-year investment in strengthening civic participation, restoring and creating jobs, and supporting the growth of arts and culture in Southern Arizona. Thanks to the City of Tucson and Pima County, local non-profits and fiscally sponsored grantees were able to apply their award to mission-critical general operating support costs. This type of financial support provides vital flexibility for nonprofits to approach their work as they best see fit. Federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts had slightly different parameters to explicitly hire artists essential to delivering creative programs and services. This artist-centered approach, available through NEA funding was indispensable to ensure that we were able to extend awards to arts non-profits in Tucson and throughout Southern Arizona.
To support applicants, the Arts Foundation provided bilingual consultations, one-on-one feedback sessions, and a webinar grant information session. Out of a total of 79 applicants who participated in a competitive selection process, 11 organizations were selected to receive funding by a panel of peers and community members. Applicants could request up to $10,000 to support their organization’s mission.
“By leveraging funding from local and national funders, this year’s OS grantees are impacting a broad constituency,” said Gabriela Muñoz, Director of Grants and Programs. “Artists and community members living and working in Tucson, Naco, Bisbee, Nogales and Wilcox will have expanded access to the important cultural contributions of this brilliant constellation of organizational grantees.”
Highlights: 2024 Operating Support Grant for Organizations
This year’s grantees represent a diverse range of disciplines, including theater and performance, community arts, visual arts, and traditional arts. Many recipients have shared that this funding allowed them to expand their programs, support local artists, and hire artists and staff to carry out their initiatives.
Milta Ortiz, Associate Artistic Director of Borderlands Theater, expressed gratitude for the grant’s impact:
“We are deeply grateful to the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona for their generous support, which has allowed us to expand and prioritize our education program. Hiring a dedicated Education Coordinator is a transformative step for Borderlands Theater, enabling us to engage more deeply with young people and make theater accessible to youth who might not otherwise have the chance to explore this art form. This investment empowers us to nurture the next generation of artists and thinkers, fostering creativity, storytelling, and opportunity for all.”
Laurie McKenna, Director of Central School Project, also shared how the funding used to hire artists has strengthened their programs:
“Central School is humbled by the support we received from the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona. The 2024 grant allowed us to engage meaningfully with our arts-loving community. We launched workshops through our printmaking pilot program, expanded our drawing groups, and had a blast with our annual MAKE Youth Arts Festival. Our Plein Air Festival drew over 50 artists painting in the streets, and we continued both our film series and impactful Visiting Artist Program. More than 200 artists participated in our exhibitions last year. Thank you, AFTSA! We are now celebrating our 40th year as a rural arts nonprofit.”
Grantees: 2024 Operating Support Grant for Organizations
- Bi-National Arts Institute, Naco
- Borderlands Theater, Tucson
- Central School Project Inc., Bisbee
- La Linea Art Studio, Nogales
- Los Descendientes del Presidio de Tucson, Tucson
- Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson, Tucson
- Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance, Tucson
- Teatro Dignidad, Tucson
- The Drawing Studio Inc., Tucson
- Willcox Theater and Arts, Inc., Willcox
- Word of Mouth Print Space, Tucson
The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona, with program support from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, is honored to support these organizations and looks forward to seeing the continued impact of their work in our communities across Southern Arizona.
