TopArts Grant Program

Funding to increase access to the arts for Topekans of all ages and abilities.

About the TopArts Grant Program

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. The TopArts Grant Program is Topeka’s only grant program that supports art programs in all disciplines all across Topeka.

THE TOPARTS GRANT PROGRAM WILL HAVE FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR 2026. The application will be available online by the end of December 2025 and will be due at the beginning of February 2026. Please stay tuned for more information soon.

Goals of the Program

1.

Expand access to meaningful art experiences, connect artists to their audiences.

2.

Support the development of public art projects.

3.

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. 

2025 TopArts Grant Awardees

SEE THE FULL LIST OF TOPARTS GRANTEES

  • 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/.

  • 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/.

  • 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.

  • 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/.

  • 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/.

  • 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/

  • 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/.

  • 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.

  • 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/.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: I haven’t ever written a grant before. Can you help me figure out how to get started?
A: We suggest that you attend one of the grant-writing workshops that are scheduled to take place on January 14 & January 21. These workshops will give you the basics for where to get started with your first grant!

Q: Can individuals apply for funding through this program?
A: Yes, individuals can apply. We have frequently funded artists for educational opportunities and/or public art projects. If you are applying as an individual, please remember to think about whether you need to reserve space, identify partners or consider other logistics issues.

Q: How much money should we ask for?
A: It depends on your project, but these grants awards range from $500-$5,000. For more assistance, please read the full guidelines & budget worksheet for more information. If you still have questions, please reach out to ArtsConnect staff for additional information/assistance.

Q: How long will we have to spend the money?
A: For projects funded in 2025, these grant funds can be used to pay for expenses incurred between Jan 1, 2025-March 31, 2026.

Q: Where does the funding come from for these grants?
A: The TopArts Grant program is made possible with funding from the City of Topeka and is administered by ArtsConnect. ArtsConnect commissioned an economic impact survey of the arts which was published in 2014. This began a series of strategic efforts to inform and educate city stakeholders about the importance of the arts in our community. We have been the organization offering key advocacy on this issue, which has resulted in the establishment and maintenance of this funding. Since 2016, more than $300,000 has been granted into the community, reaching thousands of Topekans directly.

Documents and Information for Current TopArts Grantees

We hope that the materials found below will help you in preparing to write your application and/or applying for other funding opportunities! The materials presented here are from the 2025 grant cycle and will be updated for the 2026 grant cycle in late 2025.

FILLABLE VERSION OF 2025 APPLICATION
This Google Doc version of the application can be downloaded and filled out so that you can work on drafting your application. THIS VERSION CANNOT BE USED TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION!

BUDGET WORKSHEET
When submitting your application, we encourage you to use the budget worksheet that we have created.

PAST GRANTEES
As you prepare to write this grant, we hope that you will have a look at the programs funded by the TopArts Grant Program in the past.

FULL LIST OF TOPARTS GRANTEES 2016-2025

    • Art From the Heart by TARC, Inc

    • Ballet Stars by Kansas Ballet Company

    • Building on Success by CAPPER Foundation

    • Community Pottery by Monette Mark

    • Discovering Cool Topeka by Donna Rae Pearson

    • Fiesta Topeka Oral Histories by Valeria Mendoza

    • Ida y Vuelta by Melinda Hedgecorth

    • KS Book Fest Author Honorariums by The Kansas Book Festival

    • NOTO Murals - North End of Bridges by NOTO Arts & Entertainment District

    • Picture the Dream Local Artist Engagement by Kansas Children’s Discovery Center

    • Reclaiming Home: Remembering the Topeka Bottoms by Maria Velasco

    • Sunflower Music Festival: A Year of Firsts by Sunflower Music Festival, Inc.

    • Do Pi Ka Project by artist Lisa LaRue-Baker

    • Robinson Middle School (USD 501) - Robinson Mural Project

    • Sunflower Music Festival, Inc. Focus on Black Female Composers

    • AileyCamp for Topeka Youth - Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA)

    • Honorariums for Authors @ Kansas Book Festival

    • Summertime Blues by Topeka Blues Society

    • Topeka Youth Orchestras by Topeka Symphony Orchestra

    • Latin Jazz Workshops in Topeka by Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra

    • ReStore Container Mural by Topeka Habitat for Humanity

    • Serenity Arts Panels in Redbud Park

    • Ballet Stars at Capper Foundation by Kansas Ballet Academy

    • Sunflower Bee Mural Repairs by Robert Tapley Bustamante

    • Advantage Clay Classes at Fire Me Up Ceramics

    • Topeka Cello Collective Membership Expansion

    • It Takes a Village 2023 Summer Camp

    • NOTO Arts and Entertainment District Crosswalk Pilot Project

    • Ultramotion Studios “Freedom Speaks!: A Trunk Full of Treasures” Tour Show

    • Pirates of Penzance Sing-A-Long by Joseph DeSota

    • Art from the Heart by TARC, Inc.

    • 24-Hour Play Festival by American Regional Theatre Society, Inc.

    • Sun-Hero Magazine by Dané Shobe

    • FSCG Art Day at Home by Family Service & Guidance Center

    • Ballet Stars program by Kansas Ballet Company

    • Kansas Book Festival

    • AileyCamp Topeka by Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey

    • Kansas Drum Days by the Kansas Percussive Arts Society

    • Family Wellness Event by Lighthouse TCO Foundation

    • Advantage Clay Class by Fire Me Up Ceramics

    • Student outreach by On Stage Live

    • Carol Long Ceramics Workshop

    • KODA Project by Riley Voth

    • The Sunflower Music Festival

    • 2022 Season by Sunrise Theatre Company

    • Painting lessons by Topeka Art Guild

    • Summertime Concert Series by Topeka Blues Society

    • Senior Art Classes by LULAC Senior Center

    • Strings for Success by Topeka Symphony Society

    • Healing Through the Arts by Valeo Behavioral Healthcare

    • WU Total Percussion Camp by Washburn University

    • Alley Mural at 823 N Kansas Ave

    • College Hill Alley Murals

    • NOTO Arts & Entertainment District Rotating Sculpture Program

    • Shawnee County Health Department Mural

    • Jay Shideler Mural Project

    • Artistic Expressions Healing Arts Initiative by artist John Sebelius

    • Backstage TPAC @ Topeka Performing Arts Center

    • Ballet Folklorico De Topeka: Mother's Day Presentation

    • Keeper of the Plains Mural @ Gil Carter Initiative by artist Alexander Lancaster

    • Black Lives Matter Mural-Building Community @ Topeka Habitat for Humanity by artists Jordan E. Brooks & C. Dylan Barker

    • Train Bridge Mural @ 45th & Topeka Blvd by Bring Back the Boulevard

    • Expanding Topeka Area Art Education Opportunities by Topeka Art Guild, Inc.

    • Expressive Therapies for the Uninsured and Underinsured by Valeo Behavioral Healthcare

    • FSGC Art Day at Home by Family Service & Guidance Center with artists Lila Bartel, Tina Brackman, Anne Kufahl, Gwen McClain, Jancy Pettit and Janet Zoble

    • Handel's "Messiah" performed by the Spire Chamber Ensemble by Great Spaces Art & Music Series @ Grace Cathedral

    • Ballet Stars by Kansas Ballet Company

    • KCFAA Topeka by Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey

    • Mindfulness Through Native American Art by artist Lisa LaRue-Baker

    • Multicultural Community Art Project by Greater Topeka Partnership featuring artists Jamie Colon, Mona Cliff and George Mayfield @ Topeka Habitat for Humanity

    • Youth Outreach by On Stage Live with pianist Thomas Pandolfi & Thalea String Quartet

    • Profiles of Courage II by Heavenly Visions Foundation with photographer Yolanda Taylor

    • Sculpture Art in NOTO @ NOTO Arts & Entertainment District

    • Summertime Blues In the Park by Topeka Blues Society @ Gage Park

    • Artistic Support for Sunflower Music Festival

    • Sunrise Theatre Company 2021 Season

    • Online Symphony Performances - Topeka Symphony Orchestra

    • Ukulele Extension for COVID Protocols - Scott Dual Language Magnet School

    • Welcome To Fabulous North Topeka mural by artist Robert Tapley Bustamante

    • Survivor Art Group - YWCA Center for Safety & Empowerment

    • Art Barrier (Sculptural Gates and 'Caged Bone Pile' Pillars)

    • Gil Carter Initiative Mural Project

    • Evergy Downtown Rainbow Towers

    • Involvement I & II

    • LULAC Senior Center Moonflower Mural

    • "An evening with US..." Performance and Tour

    • Aaron Douglas Art Fair

    • Arc of Hope Veterans Art Program

    • Backstage TPAC

    • Carnival of the Animals: A Partnership Between Kansas Ballet, Topeka Zoo, and Boys & Girls Clubs

    • Dime Store Mysticism by Luke Rocha

    • FSGC Art Day Artists in Residence

    • High School Advantage Clay Classes

    • Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey

    • Topeka Latin Artists Showcase

    • Poetry For Personal Power (P3)

    • On Stage Live Student Outreach--Concert Year 2020-2021

    • Summertime Blues

    • TopCity Swing 2020

    • Topeka Symphony Youth Programs

    • Two Block Chalk Walk

    • Tyson Williams' Stage Play "Extortion: The Misfits"

    • YWCA Survivor Art Group

    • ¡Más adelante! - 1st Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Poetry Spotlight and Outreach

    • 2019 Aaron Douglas Art Fair

    • TARC: Art From the Heart

    • Boys & Girls Club: Art program for at-risk youth

    • John Sebelius: Artistic Expressions

    • Topeka Performing Arts Center: Backstage TPAC

    • Bee Mural @ Zimmerman & Zimmerman near 9th & Quincy

    • Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority: Brown v. Board of Education Mural bus wrap

    • On Stage Live: Classical and Contemporary Music Outreach for Children

    • Clover Gear NOTO Beautification and Extension Project

    • CX1DJS "Building in Music" Work Shop

    • Valeo: Expressive Therapies for the Uninsured

    • Family Service & Guidance Center: Art Day Artists in Residence

    • MURAL: Kansas Ballet's #IAmABalletStar Mural

    • Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey Topeka

    • NOTO Utility Box Murals

    • Poetry for Personal Power: Resilience Message Events

    • Tyson Williams: Smoke Behind Closed Doors

    • Sun Moon Mountains by Robert Tapley Bustamante @ 17th & Adams

    • Sunflower Music Festival

    • Topeka Symphony Youth Ensembles

    • YWCA: Survivor Art Group

    • Last Minute Folk: Folk Music for Seniors

    • Artistic Expressions Healing Arts Initiative @ Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center

    • Great Spaces Music & Arts Series @ Grace Cathedral

    • KC Friends of Alvin Ailey – AileyCamp 2018

    • Summer Ballet with Kansas Ballet @ Boys & Girls Club

    • Aaron Douglas Art Fair @ Aaron Douglas Art Park

    • The Art of Healing @ YWCA Center for Safety & Empowerment

    • Opossum Where Art Thou @ The Topeka Zoo

    • Works of Heart Artists in Residence @ Family Service & Guidance Center

    • Topeka Faces Murals by Patrick Rocha

    • ArtReach @ Topeka Rescue Mission

    • Cruzline Contenders @ Scott Dual Language School, Williams Arts & Science Magnet School, and Topeka High School

    • Topeka Habitat for Humanity Mural

    • Postcard from NOTO Mural

    • Sheffel Theatre Clinic and Schooltime Theatre Series @ Topeka Performing Arts Center

    • Haunted Hotel: Theater of the Mind @ KTWU

    • Senior Outreach Concert Series with Last Minute Folk

    • Brown v. Board Mural Project

    • Brooksfest - Gwendolyn Brooks Centennial Celebration

    • YWCA Survivor Art Group

    • Topeka Community Concert Association Youth Outreach

    • Artistic Expressions Healing Arts Initiative with artist John Sebelius @ Veterans Administration

    • Kansas Ballet Summer Program

    • NOTO ArtReach with artist Patty Kahn

    • Lutheran Fine Arts Council

    • Ballet Folklorico

    • Family Service & Guidance Center

    • Boys & Girls Club of Topeka

    • Capital City High School Mural

    • Lighting the Historic Topeka Water Tower

    • Valeo’s Creations of Hope Gallery

    • Performing Arts for Children

    • Mulvane Art Museum – Art After School

    • The Craftivists – Weekly Art Groups for Women & Girls

    • Patty Kahn & Quincy Elementary School – NOTO ArtReach Art Education Program

    • Tonantzin Society – Artist Residency

    • Grace Cathedral – Great Spaces Music & Art Series

    • Kansas Ballet – Early Start Performing Arts @ State Street Elementary

    • Aaron Douglas Art Fair – Interactive Art Activities

    • Last Minute Folk Concert Series – Expanded Outreach & Community Engagement

    • Topeka Symphony Society – Youth Ensembles Scholarship & Tuition Support

    • TARC, Inc. – Art from the Heart

    • Topeka Community Concert Association – Outreach & Community Engagement

    • Lutheran Fine Arts Council of Topeka – Theater Workshop at Topeka Civic Theatre

    • Chesney Park Neighborhood Improvement Association – Great Mural Wall of Topeka

    • The Lighting of Topeka’s Historic Water

    • Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority – Art in Transit Redux @ Quincy Street Station

"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

GRANT REPORTS NEEDED FROM 2023 & 2024 GRANTEES!

If you received a Top Arts Grant in the past, please complete the grant reporting form.

In order to be eligible for funding in 2024, we must have a report on file for your project.

Click Here To Complete A Form