community artist grant overview
The Community Artist Grant will creatively activate Downtown Marshalltown, using the Marshalltown Arts and Culture Master Plan as a guide. The grantee will be a community artist and/or social practice artist who will create a project to “build bridges” between communities, ideas, and neighborhoods within the city.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, April 14, 2025
PAYMENT: $20,000
The Community Artist Grant will creatively activate Downtown Marshalltown, using the Marshalltown Arts and Culture Master Plan as a guide. The grantee will be a community artist and/or social practice artist who will create a project to “build bridges” between communities, ideas, and neighborhoods within the city.
Each year, the Arts + Culture Alliance decides which theme to activate through this grant program. The decision is based on community and stakeholder input. Build Bridges was one of the five themes identified by the Arts and Culture Master Plan.
When examining this specific theme, the Alliance identifies and interprets this as:
- Authentically connecting different communities within Marshalltown
- Building infrastructure for greater access to neighborhoods and their assets
- Bridging the past to the present and into the future
- Restoring trust between individuals, communities, and organizations within Marshalltown
- Generating a bridge toward economic sustainability
- Connecting people to causes they care about
GRANT DETAILS
Upon completion of the project, artists will be responsible for completing a report that provides the Alliance with useful information about the success of the artist project and this new granting initiative.
Questions Include:
- Describe how you and the community were successful in building bridges in Marshalltown
- Approximately how many people did you actively engage and, if applicable, approximate the demographics of the people/communities who participated
- Names of partners/collaborators in the project
- Lessons learned and key takeaways
- Quote from the artist
- Quote from three community participants
- Feedback about the grant and process
- RFQ/Call to Artists Issued | March 21, 2025
- Application Deadline | April 14, 2025 11:59 PM
- Please note, we will not be available for questions after 5 PM the day of the deadline
- We encourage questions to be addressed well in advance of the application deadline
- Potential zoom interviews may be required with finalists prior to selection
- Notification of Finalists | Friday, April 25, 2025
- Proposal Deadline | Monday, May 19, 2025
- Funding Notifications | Friday, May 23, 2025
- Eligible Funding Period | May 26, 2025 – December 1, 2025
- The Eligible Funding Period officially begins upon the artist’s completion of the grant contract
- All expenses must be incurred within the Eligible Funding Period
- The project, artwork or program must be completed by December 1, 2025
- Final Report Deadline | January 31, 2026, 11:59 PM
Interested artists should submit their qualifications via the online application no later than the application deadline.
The form requires:
- Artist(s) contact Information: name, phone number, email, website, and social media handles
- Letter of Intent (maximum of 3,000 characters): Briefly describe how you would accomplish building bridges and a general vision or plan for your idea. Explain any relevant details about your experience in community building, public community art projects, and/or social practice artworks. Consider including details of your process, past projects, successful partnerships, and community impact.
- CV / Resumé
- Three representative work examples
- Two professional references familiar with your experience and/or potential in the field of public art
A jury will review Letters of Intent and score them based on experience, strength of portfolio, and relevance to Marshalltown’s community needs. Finalists will be invited to submit a formal application and will then receive a stipend of $500 to develop their idea.
QUESTIONS?
Have an idea but not sure if it is eligible for this grant? Contact the ACA’s Executive Director, Amber Danielson, at director@artsandculturealliance.org well in advance of application deadlines if you have any questions regarding the program.
SUPPORT THE ARTS
Together, with your support, we can create opportunities for a thriving and vibrant community. Make a 100% tax deductible donation* online today.
*The Arts + Culture Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. If you have any questions, please contact us.