City of Bloomington, Indiana

Mayor John Hamilton
Welcome Neighbors

2021 Fall BAC & BUEA Grant for the Arts 

The Bloomington Arts Commission (BAC) is partnering with the Bloomington Urban Enterprise (BUEA) to seek applications for funding to foster the arts and cultivate cultural experiences in Bloomington in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Applications will be evaluated according to organizational capacity, community impact, equity and inclusion efforts, artistic quality, and programming needs. Artists, nonprofit organizations, and businesses in the arts and cultural sector may apply for funds starting at noon Friday, October 1. Completed applications are due Friday, October 29, at 5 p.m., with awards to be announced and distribution anticipated by late November.  

The BAC's October 6 Fall Grants Information Session is available for viewing on our facebook page here. The slide deck including information on the BAC and the Fall Grants Cycle is available here.

The BAC will also offer office hours for applicants on a first come first serve basis between October 18 and October 22. If any prospective applicant has questions about the program or the office hours please reach out to Holly Warren at holly.warren@bloomington.in.gov.

Application Links (to go live at noon on Friday, October 1)

BAC & BUEA Project Support Grant Application 

BAC & BUEA Operational Support Grant Application 

BAC & BUEA Emerging Artist Support Grant Application

2021 Project Budget Form (Please download this form)

Previous COB Support Form (Please download this form)  

2021 Grant  (OP) Application Questions PDF

2021 Grant  (Project) Application Questions PDF 

2021 Grant (Emerging Artist) Application Questions PDF

 

PROJECT SUPPORT GUIDELINES

ELIGIBILITY

● Individual artists and organizations are eligible to apply. Organizations are not required to be a non-profit
● Activities must take place within Bloomington city limits and be open to the public or occur in-school

The program does not fund:

  • 100% of total project costs; applicants are required to provide matching funds through other sources (see Matching Requirements). 
  • Activities and performances planned primarily for fundraising purposes.
  • Food, beverages, or other refreshments.
  • Capital expenditures.
  • Training expenses.
  • Indirect costs.
  • Projects longer than one year in duration.

 

MAXIMUM AWARD: Applicants can apply for up to $2,000 in project support. Note that most projects will not receive full funding.

PROJECT PERIOD: Projects can begin no earlier than November 30, 2021 and must conclude by December 31, 2022.

MATCHING REQUIREMENTS: A variety of revenue sources demonstrates good fiscal planning and community support. The BAC requires a minimum of a 1:1 match and encourages applicants to raise funds from the private sector (individuals, businesses, and foundations). E.g. 1:1 match for a $2,000 project includes $1,000 request and $1,000 in cash or in-kind (excluding labor) match support.  

 

OPERATIONAL SUPPORT GUIDELINES

ELIGIBILITY

  • Nonprofit arts organizations based in Bloomington with 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS.
  • Arts as the primary mission.
  • An operating history of at least three (3) full years prior to the application deadline.
  • Majority of activity takes place in Bloomington, Indiana.

 

MAXIMUM AWARD: Eligible organizations can apply for up to 5% of total operating budget (including in-kind operating expenses) for the most recently completed fiscal year. The maximum amount an organization can apply for is $5,000.

 

MATCHING REQUIREMENTS: A variety of revenue sources demonstrates good fiscal planning and community support. The BAC requires a minimum of a 1:1 match and encourages applicants to raise funds from the private sector (individuals, businesses, and foundations). E.g. 1:1 match for a $2,000 project includes $1,000 request and $1,000 in cash or in-kind (excluding labor) match support. 

If your organization received Operating Support last fiscal year, you may not apply for Operating Support again in this fiscal year. You are still eligible to apply for Project Support this year.

 

EMERGING ARTIST GUIDELINES

ELIGIBILITY

● Individual artists of any background, discipline, and age, and who are in the early stages and of their career are eligible to apply
● Applicants should be in the early stages of their career and not yet established within the field
● Projects should be public facing

The program does not fund:

  • 100% of total project costs; applicants are required to provide matching funds through other sources (see Matching Requirements). 
  • Activities and performances planned primarily for fundraising purposes.
  • Food, beverages, or other refreshments.
  • Capital expenditures.
  • Training expenses.
  • Indirect costs.
  • Projects longer than one year in duration.

 

MAXIMUM AWARD: Applicants can apply for up to $500 in project support. 

PROJECT PERIOD: Projects can begin no earlier than November 30, 2021 and must conclude by December 31, 2022.

 

One Percent for the Arts Program

For more information, please contact Holly Warren, Assistant Director for the Arts, at  holly.warren@bloomington.in.gov.

City of Bloomington Artist Database

Connect with us at the City of Bloomington to join our Artist Database! By sharing your contact information, we can get in touch with you about the latest opportunities for exhibition, performance, collaboration, and funding.
ONGOING

RFI: Fabricators for Bloomington Public Art Projects

The City of Bloomington seeks interested vendors who provide design and fabrication based services to be listed in conjunction with ongoing Public Art Opportunities through the City's 1% for the Arts Program. Interested vendors would have their business listed for potential work with the City on future public art commissions. Potential vendors should be willing to work with emerging artist/designers, who may not have fabrication skills or experience with public art installations on public art projects.
ONGOING