TopArts Grant Program
Funding to increase access to the arts for Topekans of all ages and abilities.
ArtsConnect is excited to announce the projects that will receive funding as a part of the ninth year of the TopArts Grant Program. Funded since 2016 by the City of Topeka and administered by ArtsConnect, this grant program has been an incredible success, offering support for art programs in a variety of disciplines that has directly reached thousands of people of all ages and abilities.
TopArts Grants are awarded in two categories – arts access and public art. Nine (9) projects that serve diverse populations across the city of Topeka have been awarded grant funding through the program in 2025.
Access grants are awarded to projects focused on increasing access to arts opportunities, cultural events and other programs that expand the quality and availability of arts experiences. Public art grants are awarded to projects that beautify and enhance our community through the creation of public art.
"As we watch the fallout from the proposed elimination of arts funding at the federal level, having a local program like this is the only way to continue our progress as a city. These projects will help keep lighting the path forward for us as a community.
“The continued existence of this program shows that our city leaders understand the critical importance of the arts in Topeka. This funding is focused on artist-led programs that expand access to the arts and encourage excellence in a variety of ways. By working together, we are able to continue building the capacity and expertise of the creative sector in Topeka.”
- Sarah Fizell, Exec. Director ArtsConnect
2025 TopArts Grant Awardees
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The Kansas Book Festival is an annual literary festival that promotes literacy and supports Kansas readers and writers. The festival incorporates Kansas-connected authors living across the country which creating opportunities for local writers and readers to engage with and learn from nationally-recognized authors. The 2025 Kansas Book Festival will take place on September 20.
More info at: https://www.kansasbookfestival.com/.
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The Aaron Douglas Art Fair is a free, inclusive, and accessible art fair that celebrates diversity, supports area artists, and honors the legacy of Topeka-born artist Aaron Douglas. The Aaron Douglas Art Fair has been a valuable addition to arts and culture in Topeka since 2006, offering art vendors, live performances, and a kids’ zone with art activities for Topeka youth. The 2025 Aaron Douglas Art Fair will take place on September 27.
More info at: https://www.aarondouglasartfair.com/.
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Lisa LaRue-Baker (Cherokee Nation) will produce a children’s book titled Isaish Walker, Native Father of Topeka that tells the story of Isaiah Walker, a Wyandotte tribal citizen and former owner of the land on which Topeka was formed. Lisa will collaborate with a local artist who will illustrate the book. The book will help educate readers about this history commonly overlooked in historical materials related to the origins of Topeka.
More info at: https://www.785arts.com/about.
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The TARC Art From the Heart Program is an individualized, person-centered therapeutic art program offered to individuals with developmental, intellectual, and related disabilities who participate in TARC’s Day Services Program. Art From the Heart partners with a professional art instructor and offers classes twice a week. This program is estimated to impact over 2,000 individuals in Topeka.
More info at: https://tarcinc.org/.
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Back For Seconds is the theme for the 2025 Sunflower Music Festival. The concert series planned for 2025 will bring the highest quality musical experience to the Topeka community. The well-attended summer concert series is open to the public and free to attend. The 2025 Sunflower Music Festival will take place on June 20-28.
More info at: https://sunflowermusicfestival.org/.
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Entre Dos Mundos is a project about immigration and identity that combines poetry and flamenco music and dance, to give audiences a glimpse into different worlds, change perceptions and advance conversations. This is a two-part project including interactive performances at schools and a full length ensemble performance to be presented at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.
More info at: https://www.45gradosflamenco.com/
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Annette Billings’ project entitled “Poetry and Storytelling: Creating ‘I Can’ in a World That Says ‘You Can’t’” is a series of six project programs planned for the Lois Curtis Center serving primarily disabled minorities, under the age of 24, who reside in East Topeka. Programming will include a presentation of poems and stories by artist Annette Billings, a poetry writing workshop, writing collaboratively with the artist around themes of justice, diversity, disability and more, opportunities to present, and presenter led small and large group discussions.
More info at: https://www.anetfullofhope.net/.
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The Rossome Musical Garden project aims to install a musical garden sculpture at Ross Elementary School, USD 501’s Signature Music School. Metal artist Baker Medlock has been commissioned to design and execute several musical sculptures to create an interactive musical garden at the school. The theme is STEM, and the design features a big robot in a mushroom patch. The project coincides with a district wide that interweaves music with other academic subjects like science, history, and math.
More info at: https://ross.topekapublicschools.net/.
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Shawnee Choral Society’s vision behind Bridging Generations Through Song is to lift every young voice, regardless of financial means, and provide an opportunity to experience the transformative power of choral music. With a goal of increasing youth membership, this project will provide automatic scholarships to cover the $50 per semester fee so that young singers have no financial barriers to participation. Members of the Shawnee Choral Society have the opportunity to explore a diverse repertoire of choral pieces and to collaborate with members from varied backgrounds.
More info at: https://www.shawneechoral.com/.
GRANT REPORTS NEEDED FROM 2023 & 2024 GRANTEES!
If you received a Top Arts Grant in the past, please complete the grant reporting form.
ABOUT THE TOPARTS GRANT PROGRAM
The TopArts Grant Program is Topeka’s only grant program that supports art programs in all disciplines all across Topeka. Individuals and organizations are invited to apply.
The TopArts Grant program has been in existence since 2016 and is made possible with funds allocated by the City of Topeka. ArtsConnect is proud to have been chosen by the city as the organization responsible for administering the allocation of these funds. All funding decisions will be based on the criteria found in these guidelines and will be guided by the recommendations presented in the Topeka Arts & Culture Master Plan.
GRANT INFORMATION
GOALS & PURPOSE: The purpose of the TopArts Grant Program is to support art programs and projects that seek to achieve one or more of the following goals:
Expand access to meaningful art experiences, connect artists to their audiences;
Support the development of public art projects; and
Align with the recommendations and strategic goals outlined in the Topeka Arts & Culture Master Plan.
GRANT AMOUNTS: ArtsConnect anticipates awarding grants in amounts that range from $500-$5,000. We do not award grants in any amount less than $500. While matching funds are not required, matching funds are viewed favorably and seen as a demonstration of project viability.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Any organization or individual based in Topeka is eligible to apply. In the past, this program has funded programs that are based outside of Topeka, but these funds must be expended for the benefit of Topeka residents. Projects that represent ALL artistic disciplines are encouraged to apply.