The Arts Build Communities program provides matching support to arts and other community-based organizations for projects that address a local community problem, issue or need through an arts-based solution.
This program recognizes the role that the arts play in the broad cultural, social, educational, economic and tourism sectors of community life. The program fosters partnerships that strengthen arts engagement, access and involvement in communities. Successful projects demonstrate building local capacity to strengthen the arts in a community through these local partnerships.
The Arts Build Communities program prioritizes projects that provide access to the arts for underserved communities. This includes communities that currently or historically face systemic barriers as defined by, but not limited to, geography, race/ethnicity, tribal affiliation, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ability/disability, age (youth and aging people), sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. Projects must support the integration of the arts and artists with community goals and may include new initiatives, new program development, cultural tourism and the expansion of existing arts and community development projects. Pre-development, design fees and community planning activities are eligible in this program.
Deadline:
The FY2025 deadline will be announced in August 2024 when guidelines are posted.
At the time of the application deadline, all applicant organizations must:
- Be a unit of municipal government (including libraries, schools and Tribal governments); or
- Operate as a nonprofit as evidenced by:
- Current IRS 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status;
- Active registration with the State of Oregon for corporate, non-profit status;
- Current Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from SAM.gov.
Organizations using a fiscal sponsor are not eligible to apply.
Grant awards are $5,000. The Arts Commission determines awards based on number of applications and available grant funds. There are limited resources and all applicants may not receive funding. Awards will not be paid out until after the start of the calendar year. Applicants should plan accordingly.
Arts Commission staff reviews submitted applications for eligibility, completeness and accuracy. Applications that meet program requirements are accepted for further review. Applications are then reviewed by a panel of professionals with experience in the arts and other fields relevant to the program. The Arts Commission considers panel recommendations for funding and determines final award amounts.
Review Criteria
The following review criteria will be used to evaluate applications (0 is the lowest score):
- Project Objective and Project Quality (0 to 40 points):
- Importance, value or impact of local community problem issue or need that is being addressed through the project;
- How clearly the application articulates how the project was identified and how it responds to a community need;
- The degree to which the project shows evidence of strong artistic excellence and merit and serves the intended population;
- Evidence of a realistic timeline for the creation and delivery of the project within the grant period (calendar year 2023).
- Community Impact (0 to 30 points):
- Project provides broad, inclusive access to underserved populations;
- Clear explanation of how the underserved population will be ensured access to the project;
- The project engages the underserved population in project development, delivery and leadership.
- Organizational Capacity and Project Partners (0 to 30 points):
- Accuracy and clarity of budget;
- Budget that demonstrates adequate resources to complete the project successfully;
- Alignment of organizational mission and experience to the project design;
- Project leads' skills and experience are well-aligned with the project, as evidenced by descriptions or attached bios;
- Evidence of the necessary experience, commitment and organizational stability to successfully complete the project by the applicant organization;
- Community support and commitment, as evidenced by a description of the roles of key partners and collaborators involved in the planning and implementation of the project; and
- Clear project outcomes and evidence that the project will benefit, strengthen and have impact on both local arts and the community.
Applications must be submitted in the online grant system no later than 5:00 pm on the deadline date to be considered for review.
Please see the Arts Build Communities Grant Guidelines for full information about this grant program including all the application questions.
Program assistance is available from Tiffany Harker, Arts Education and Grants Coordinator,
tiffany.harker@biz.oregon.gov, 971-719-6169. Technical assistance is available from Kat Bell, Grants Officer,
kat.bell@biz.oregon.gov or 971-304-5044 prior to the application deadline. Applicants may also seek feedback after funding decisions have been made.
Upon request, Arts Commission funding application materials will be made available in an alternate format such as Braille, large type or on audiotape. For applicants who are hearing‐impaired and require TDD assistance, please call 800-735‐2900. Spanish-speaking applicants can contact Liora Sponko, Senior Program Manager,
liora.sponko@biz.oregon.gov or 971-345-1641.