Page last updated on March 12, 2025 at 1:01 pm
2025 Arts Project Grant Cycle
The Arts Projects Grant Application Is Now Live!
- Funds to produce public-facing arts programming in Bloomington, IN
- Projects should begin no earlier than April 1, 2025 and must conclude by June 30, 2026
- Award amount: Up to $4000; most awardees will not receive full funding
- Applications will be available here beginning Tuesday, February 18 through Friday, March 28, 2025
- Awards announced May 2025
- Awards disbursed June 2025
- Apply at https://civiform.bloomington.in.gov/programs/arts
Bloomington Arts Commissioners will also hold office hours for anyone interested in discussing the application process. Please contact Holly Warren, Assistant Director for the Arts and Staff Liaison to the Bloomington Arts Commission at holly.warren@bloomington.in.gov to schedule an appointment with a commissioner.
THREE NEW CALLS FOR DESIGN PROPOSALS
Boxes in Bloom: New Art Designs for Downtown Traffic Boxes
The City of Bloomington, in partnership with Downtown Bloomington, Inc., seeks artists and artist teams to design and paint new designs representing native Bloomington flowers, nature and wildlife on traffic boxes in downtown Bloomington. All professional artists and artist teams ages 18 and over are invited to submit proposals.
Artwork budget: $750 artist honorarium; materials and supplies will be paid for by Downtown Bloomington, Inc.
Design submissions are due by 11:59EST on Friday, March 28.
The full call for design proposals is available here.
Application can be found here!
Ride and Thrive: Art for New Bloomington Bus Stop Shelters
The City of Bloomington’s Department of Economic and Sustainable Development (ESD) seeks Bloomington-based artists and artist teams to design nature-themed artwork to be placed along the top borders of six new bus stop shelters to be installed in 2025. All professional artists and artist teams ages 18 and over are invited to submit design proposals.
In 2025, ESD will install six new bus stop shelters to protect residents from the sun and rain while waiting for the bus at designated bus stops. This project aims to help our community increase its resilience to climate change, which causes our summers to be hotter and longer and increases extreme weather events. The bus stop shelters will also help promote the use of public transportation, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. The addition of artwork along the top borders of the shelter will add compelling imagery to the shelter locations, celebrate the talent of local artists, and highlight the importance of native nature and wildlife.
Selected artists/artist teams will receive an honorarium of $500 for each of the six selected designs. The City of Bloomington will pay for materials, printing, and adhering of the design, and installation of the bus shelters.
Design submissions are due by 11:59EST on Friday, March 21.
The full call for designs is available here.
Application can be found here!
Art on the Move: Design for HAND Community Event Trailer
The City of Bloomington’s Departments of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) and Economic and Sustainable Development (ESD) seek a Bloomington-based artist or artist team to create a design for a 6’x12’ cargo trailer that will be a community-building resource available for neighborhoods, other community groups, and City departments to borrow for free. The design will be seen all over the city as the trailer travels to events including block parties, pop up events and community meetings. The design should be fun, inviting, welcoming, eye-catching, and uniquely Bloomington. It will be a moving advertisement, announcing two things: the trailer is a resource provided by the City for the benefit of the community, and Bloomington is an awesome place to live and play. All professional artists and artist teams ages 18 and over are invited to submit design proposals.
The selected artist/artist team will receive an honorarium of $1000 for the design. ESD and HAND Departments will work to have the design printed and applied to the trailer.
Design submissions are due by 11:59EST on Friday, March 28.
The full call for designs is available here.
All applications should be submitted via this form
Future 2025 BAC Grant Cycles
The BAC will administer three grant cycles during 2025. Details for the remaining two cycles follow below.
Artistic Advancement Grants
- Funds to support the professional career advancement of artists living and working in Bloomington, Indiana
- Funds can be used for expenses accrued from July 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026
- Award amount: Up to $2000
- Applications open Monday, May 19 through Friday, June 27, 2025
- Awards announced August 2025
- Awards disbursed September 2025
Operations Arts Grants
- Funds to support operational costs for 501(c)3 organizations with arts-centered missions and Bloomington-based impact. Note: 501c3s whose annual operating budget is no more than $500,000 are eligible to apply.
- Funds can be used for expenses accrued from July 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026
- Award amount: Up to $5000; most awardees will not receive full funding
- Applications open Monday, August 11 through Friday, September 19, 2025
- Awards announced November 2025
- Awards disbursed December 2025
TWO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS!!
HOW TO PAINT BIG: A FOUNDATIONS WORKSHOP OF MURAL PLANNING + INSTALLATION FOR ARTISTS: Learn practical tips for creating and installing large-scale painted murals. We’ll cover tools, methods, and strategies, including how to work effectively and professionally with clients and collaborators. This free workshop will be an interactive lecture with local artist Erin Tobey! Wednesday, March 26 from 6-8pm at the Waldron. Spots limited to 25. Please learn more and sign up here!
COMMUNITY IN PRACTICE: A FOUNDATIONS WORKSHOP ON COLLECTIVE CARE AND ENGAGEMENT IN THE ARTS: This workshop will introduce participants to foundational tenets of community-building and engagement. Participants will be able to craft their own personal/organizational mission statement as a takeaway, built through self-reflective work that explores the connections between self, community, and greater society. We will challenge participants to think through their current artistic practice and empower them to take the first steps towards incorporating collective care into their own lives, artistic practice, and affiliated community organizations.This free workshop will be an interactive lecture with local artist Andrea M. Sterling! Monday, March 31 from 6-8pm at the Waldron. Spots limited to 25. Please learn more and sign up here!