• VISION Arts emphasizes the artistic and cultural industry within Tulsa and solidifies its role as a driver of economic growth and development. The specific purpose of the VISION Arts is to strategically engage the City’s arts and cultural organizations in boosting the local economy. 
• Vision Tulsa, an $884 million sales tax renewal package approved by voters in 2016, is making substantial investments in economic development, education, public safety, streets, and transportation needs citywide. With citizen priorities providing the driving force behind the creation of Vision Tulsa, transformative projects and enhancements are setting the stage for a bright future for Tulsa.
• The City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Arts Commission accept applications annually for 15 cycles. VISION Arts grants provide eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored entities with funding for programs that support art projects that stimulate economic development throughout Tulsa. Applying organizations may request up to $50,000 in funding with no private match requirement. 
• A total of $2,250,000 was approved by voters in 2016 as part of the Vision Tulsa capital package to support the arts in Tulsa and enhance their economic impact. These grants are scheduled for regular distribution during the Vision Tulsa program. So far, over half a million [current awards given to date] has been distributed in grants to Tulsa arts organizations. 
• Eligible organizations must provide proof of their own (or sponsor’s) tax-exempt status, provide details about how the project will align with the Vision Arts goals and demonstrate the potential economic impact for the Tulsa community. 
• The program is a collaboration between Tulsa City Council, the Mayor’s Office and Tulsa Arts Commission. 

Program Goals

• Promote visibility and awareness of the arts in Tulsa
• Contribute to increased visitor and tourism activity
• Promote Tulsa’s arts and cultural assets as key components of the city’s identity 
• Strengthen future development and economic growth throughout the city 

Priorities

• Fund events, programs, and festivals that attract a broad audience of visitors and tourists 
• Build and diversify audiences from research and marketing strategies 
• Highlight destinations by encouraging cultural events and creative activity 
• Create engaging content for multimedia that tells Tulsa’s arts story to visitors and residents alike 
• Increase access to cultural attractions and events 
• Embrace a collaborative approach to enhance the local community through the arts 

Timeline 

• Application Open: November 1, 2025, 8 a.m. CT 
• Mandatory Virtual Informational Sessions  | 
  • Thursday, November 13, 2025, 6 p.m. CT  
  • Saturday, November 15, 2025, 10 a.m. CT  
  • Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 6 p.m. CT  
  • Saturday, December 13, 2025, 10 a.m. CT 
  • Register online to reserve your spot
     
• Virtual Grant Writing Workshops | 
  • Grant Writing 101: Monday, November 17, 2025, 6 p.m. CT  
  • Writing Clear Grant Narratives: Saturday, November 22, 2025, 10 a.m. CT  
  • Marketing for Arts & Culture: Wednesday, December 17, 2025, 6 p.m. CT  
  • Budgeting for the Grant Process: Friday, December 19, 2025, 1 p.m. CT 
  • Register online for an optional workshop 

Note: Organizations should attend an information session prior to the grant writing workshop. If an organization elects not to attend a grant writing workshop, they must indicate in the appropriate place in the Submittable application they were aware of the workshops but declined to attend. 

Application Close: January 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Central 

• Organizations have from July 1, 2026, until June 30, 2027, to use funding for Eligible Expenses. 
• The End-of-Cycle Report must be completed within 30 days after the stated program Closing Date. 
• The final invoice and supporting itemization of the costs incurred in completing the approved proposal must be submitted visionarts@cityoftulsa.org by July 31, 2027. 

Vision 7 Documents

• Vision Arts 7 Guidelines
• Economic impact Calculator
• City of Tulsa Supplier Registration Form
• Application for Vision Arts 7 via Submittable
• End of Cycle Reporting for Vision Arts 7

For questions, please contact visionarts@cityoftulsa.org.

Of the $150,00 allocated, the program will invest a total of $90,000 in 13 organizations whose annual donations do not exceed $400,000 per year:

• Theatre North - $10,000
• Tulsa Shakespeare Company - $9,000
• Portico Dance Theatre Inc. - $9,000
• LoLoLook - $9,000
• Redfork Arts Foundry Tulsa - $8,000
• Red Dirt Relief Fund - $7,000
• World Stage Theatre Company - $7,000
• Clark Youth Theatre - $6,000
• Tulsa Peoples' Orchestra - $5,000
• Goff Center for the Continuous Present - $5,000
• Kendall Whittier Main Street - $5,000
• Hued Songs, Inc. - $5,000
• Trueson Daughtery - $5,000

Additionally, the program will invest a total of $60,000 in seven organizations whose annual donations equal or exceed $400,000 per year:

• Tulsa Opera, Inc. - $15,000
• Tulsa Historical Society - $12,000
• Philbrook Museum of Art - $10,000
• Signature Symphony at TCC - $8,000
• Brady Craft Inc. (DBA 108 Contemporary) - $5,000
• Downtown Tulsa Partnership - $5,000
• Tulsa Symphony Orchestra - $5,000