Since 1967, the Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) serves as Hawai'i’s state government arts agency, aiming to support programs and projects that advance the arts, culture, and the humanities, enriching the lives of Hawai'i’s residents. This support is sourced from both the State of Hawai'i and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The SFCA's Biennium Grants program is designed to promote, perpetuate, and preserve culture and the arts in Hawai'i. Available to organizations, these grants focus on projects that align with the SFCA's Strategic Priorities under four main categories: Heritage/Preservation, Community Arts/Development/Arts and Healing, Arts Education, and Presentation/Performing Arts. The program operates on a biennial basis over two grant cycles, contingent on state appropriations and availability of funds, and emphasizes the significance of cultural and artistic development at the community level. Applicants undergo a review process by Grant Panels and the SFCA Board of Commissioners, ensuring projects meet strategic goals and contribute meaningfully to Hawai'i’s cultural landscape.