The Bloomington Arts Commission Announces Community Art Grant Cycle

The Bloomington Arts Commission (BAC), in collaboration with the Department of Economic and Sustainable Development, has announced the launch of the 2024 Community Ar Grant program. The initiative will provide 10 microgrants, each up to $1,000, to local artists, community groups, neighborhood associations, and businesses to develop public art projects throughout Bloomington.

Now in its second year, the Community Art Grant program was established alongside the release of the 2023-2027 Public Art Master Plan. The Plan seeks to empower City residents to support, invest in, and take advantage of Bloomington’s rich legacy of local public art and culture. It also showcases examples of past public art projects and includes tools to enable local artists, community members, neighborhood groups, small businesses, and others to realize their own public art projects. 

Applicants for the Community Art Grant are encouraged to review the Public Art Master Plan before submitting proposals. Projects should align with the values and goals outlined in the plan, demonstrating both strong community engagement and support from local residents or stakeholders. Detailed information about the grant, eligibility and criteria, and the application are available here.

“Together the Public Art Master Plan and the Community Art Grant program will help provide accessible pathways for community members looking to further engage with public art,” said Public Art Committee Chair Natalie Almanza. “These tools and resources aim to support and empower our creative community.”  Applications for the grant will be accepted on a rolling basis through Monday, December 2, 2024, at 11:59 PM. Interested applicants can access the application form here.