Alabama State Council on the Arts

10/21/2026

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: The Levitt Family Foundation is accepting applications for grants of up to $5,000 for nonprofits presenting free outdoor festivals in 2027.

To be eligible for funding, festivals must take place outdoors in a public space, be free to attend, and feature programming with music and performances by professional musicians who are compensated.

Apply by November 20, 2026. Find resources linked in the comments.

10/20/2026

Making friends as an adult can be hard, but sometimes all it takes is a shared project and maybe a jar of...sauerkraut?

In this week’s , Lily Plowden shares how Birmingham’s Iron Hills Folk School brings people together through skill sharing mixed with dancing, pie, and the simple act of learning from one another.

10/16/2026

10/16/2026

10/15/2026

October is National Arts & Humanities Month!

We’re celebrating the ways the arts and humanities connect us, promote health and well-being, strengthen our communities, and create a stronger Alabama.

Check out the Council on the Arts’ annual report to learn more about our work supporting arts experiences for all: https://bit.ly/asca-report-2025

How are you celebrating arts and culture this month?

10/14/2026

The Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF), a public-private partnership between FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative, is supporting response and recovery efforts of Alabama’s arts and culture sector – and the public – affected by Hurricane Isaias.

Cultural institutions and arts organizations can call the National Heritage Responders hotline: (202) 661-8068. This team of trained conservators and collections care professionals is administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation and available 24/7 to provide advice and guidance.

Members of the public who have questions about saving family heirlooms can email the National Heritage Responders at [email protected]

HENTF’s Save Your Family Treasures guidance is available at fema.gov/disaster/recover/save-family-treasures. Here you can find the downloadable FEMA fact sheets “After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures” and “Salvaging Water-Damaged Family Valuables and Heirlooms.”

Organizations and artists impacted by the hurricane are encouraged to fill out a Rapid Damage Assessment Form (links available in the comments ⤵️).

10/13/2026

The arts and humanities have the power to unite us, heal us, sustain us, help us better understand each other, and guide us through challenging times.

Last week, Governor Ivey signed a proclamation declaring October as Arts & Humanities Month in Alabama: https://governor.alabama.gov/newsroom/2026/10/national-arts-humanities-month/.

Pictured: Rebecca Yeager (Alabama Arts Alliance), Governor Kay Ivey, and Kerri-Noelle Humphrey (Alabama Dance Council).

Alabama Humanities Alliance Americans for the Arts

10/09/2026

Alabama State Council on the Arts’ offices & on-site gallery will be closed on Monday, October 12, in accordance with the state holiday.

10/09/2026

It’s National Arts & Humanities Month! The Alabama Arts Alliance is joining in the campaign.

This October, we’re celebrating the ways the arts and humanities connect us, bring us together, and strengthen our communities. Did you know? Nearly 1 in 3 attendees at nonprofit arts and culture events travel from outside the
county. And among those visitors, 77% say the arts event brought them to the community. The arts give us a reason to explore new places, experience something together, and support local communities along the way.

This year, we’re inviting everyone to :
Tell Congress why federal arts funding matters.
Visit ArtsVote.org to access resources to stand up for the arts this election season.
Host or join a National Arts & Humanities Month event.
Share your personal arts and humanities story using .
Uplift the Kennedy Center by sharing your story and photos Where have the arts taken you? Share your story and .

10/09/2026

Creative Places Arts Facilities funding in action at Dothan Civic Center.