CHEYENNE, Wyo. – June 22, 2026 – The Wyoming Arts Council has awarded $1,001,534 in Community Support Grant funding to 124 organizations across the state for projects and programs taking place between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027.
The Community Support Grant is a competitive funding opportunity designed to strengthen arts and cultural services throughout Wyoming. The program is open to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government entities, including tribal governments, universities, community colleges, and school districts that provide arts-related programs and services in their communities.
The Community Support Grant is the Wyoming Arts Council's largest grant program and provides operating, project, and arts learning support to organizations that enrich their communities through the arts. Funding helps support accessible, high-quality arts programming and infrastructure across Wyoming.
This year's funding supports organizations of all sizes, including community theaters, museums, arts education programs, festivals, music organizations, and cultural institutions serving residents throughout Wyoming. Funded projects include Wyoming Humanities' Meadowlark Post project, a reading incentive program for K–5 students through school libraries; Bodylines Dance Theatre's Ruby's BDT Adaptive Dance & Movement program for children and youth with disabilities; and the Weston County Arts Council's upcoming production of Western Nutcracker.
Community Support Grant applications are reviewed by a panel of community members and arts professionals from Wyoming and across the region. This year's panel evaluated nearly 150 applications, and its recommendations were forwarded to the Wyoming Arts Council Board for final approval.
“Over the past several years, we have seen an increase in the number of applications submitted for the Community Support Grant and an increase in the overall dollar amount requested,” says Rachel Clifton, executive director of the Wyoming Arts Council. “We appreciate the thoughtfulness, time, and expertise the grant panelists bring to this process, and are pleased to be able to fund the Community Support Grant at the highest level to date. This grant provides public funds to increase access to the arts in communities all across the state and support Wyoming’s creative industries.”
The 2026 review panel included:
- Chad Banks, Rock Springs Main Street/Urban Renewal Agency
- Lindsey Grant, The Lyric
- Logan Kay, Hot Springs Health Foundation
- Leann Mattis, Community Pride Foundation
- Shane Parrott, Lander Art Center
- Brent Rose, Wyoming High School Activities Association
- Tawni Shuler, Ucross
- Bailey Patterson, Laramie County Community College
- Stacy Stebner, Climb Wyoming
- Philip Moline, Target Center
- Sogand Tabatabaei, Nevada Arts Council
- Chelsie Troutman, Natrona County Library
- Lxi Weber, Star Valley Arts Council
- Dr. Tiger Robison, University of Wyoming
- Shasta Wigginton, Arts, Inc.
A complete list of grant recipients, listed alphabetically by organization, is available at wyoarts.state.wy.us/grants/community-support-grant/.
For more information, contact Cashmere Balland, grants and administration manager with the Wyoming Arts Council, at (307) 214-7819 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Learn more about the Wyoming Arts Council at wyomingartscouncil.org.
Figure 1: Pianist and composer Jiwon Han, left, and cellist Zlatomir Fung perform during the University of Wyoming Department of Music's 2026 Cello Festival. The Department of Music is among the organizations receiving Community Support Grant funding from the Wyoming Arts Council this year.
Contact: Cashmere Balland, (307) 214-7819; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.