The Lackawanna County Department of Arts and Culture has opened the application period for 2025 Lackawanna County Arts and Community Project Grants.

Individuals, nonprofit organizations and municipal governments may apply for grants of up to $3,000 to help fund projects that increase public access to arts and cultural experiences, enhance the cultural landscape and benefit communities in Lackawanna County.

There are some restrictions. Projects must be completed by December 2025. Religious organizations may apply but only for public and nonreligious programs. Schools, K-12, may apply but the projects must focus on benefiting the community as a whole rather than on school programming alone. Fundraisers, with the exception of volunteer fire companies, are not eligible to apply. Organizations and individuals from outside the county are eligible but the projects must be in Lackawanna County. And organizations that already receive funding through the county project stream, or those entities already designated as “anchor institutions,” are not eligible.

The application deadline is Oct. 18 and awards will be announced in January.

Applications are available at Lackawanna.smapply.org. Questions may be directed to Meghan Gabello, program manager, at arts-culture@lackawannacounty.org or 570-963-6590.

Mural projects are eligible for up to $7,000, but the projects must be in progress. That includes confirmed locations and completed designs. Those applying for a mural grant should contact Gabello at the Department of Arts and Culture.