Bloomington Arts Commission Invites Applications for Arts Project Grants

Bloomington, Ind. – The City of Bloomington Arts Commission (BAC) welcomes applications for its 2018 Arts Project Grant Program. Guidelines and application details are available at bloomington.in.gov/arts/grants.

Applications are due on Wednesday, April 11 by 5:00 p.m.

Grants are available to organizations for arts activities that align with the current areas of focus of the Arts Commission:

• to cultivate a community in which residents appreciate the value of personal and collective artistic activity, 
• to encourage collaboration in and diversification of artistic activities that are equitable and inclusive,
• to foster ongoing creativity and innovation,
• to enhance and support a high level of artistry, and 
• to support the economic vitality and interests of local artists and arts organizations. 

In 2017, 16 arts projects were supported through this grant program. Organizations may apply for awards up to $2,000. 

As part of an ongoing capacity-building effort, the BAC and Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association will host a joint information session on 2018 Arts Grant Funding on Wednesday, February 28 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut Street. 

The BAC will hold a drop-in workshop for prospective applicants on Wednesday, March 21 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in City Hall, 401 N. Morton Street. Prospective applicants are invited to bring applications in progress to the workshop to receive preliminary feedback. The drop-in workshop will be first-come, first-served and will conclude at 5:00 p.m. 

This program is an integral part of the City’s approach to leverage and expand the economic development potential of the arts in Bloomington. According to the 2012 Americans for the Arts study, Arts and Economic Prosperity IV, Bloomington's nonprofit arts sector contributes $72.3 million to the local economy annually through direct spending by arts organizations and their audiences. For more information on the study, visit bloomington.in.gov/arts. 

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