These program guidelines are subject to change after the publication date. Changes will be clearly noted on this page.

Art Project Grants for Organizations create opportunities for public engagement with and access to the arts in Iowa by investing in projects that positively impact the vitality of the arts in the state and demonstrate public value. Eligible art projects must include exceptional arts activities, involve collaboration and provide access to Iowans.

Funding for the program is made possible by an annual appropriation from the Iowa Legislature to the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Applicants must adhere to the funding policies of the Iowa Arts Council and federal government through 2 CFR Part 200.

Questions

Potential applicants, especially first time applicants, are encouraged to review all published material and contact Program Manager Jennie Knoebel at jennie.knoebel@iowa.gov with questions well in advance of application deadlines.

Accessibility

The Iowa Arts Council is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to eligible applicants. For technical support submitting an application, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator Jennie Knoebel at jennie.knoebel@iowa.gov or 515-242-6194 at least two weeks in advance of application deadlines.

Timeline

Fiscal Year 2024 Application Deadline
May 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM for the funding period of July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024.

Funding Notification
Typically, applicants are notified of funding decisions within eight weeks after the application deadline.

Final Report Deadline
Grant recipients are required to complete a final report by August 1, 2024.

Funding

Grant Amount

Applicants may request funding for eligible one-time project expenses that are incurred and expended within the eligible funding period.

  • Minimum Grant Request: $2,500
  • Maximum Grant Request: $10,000

Match Requirement

Applicants are required to demonstrate investment in a project by providing 50% cash matching funds to the grant request for project expenses. For example, an applicant that requests $10,000 in grant funds must have at least $5,000 in cash match for a minimum total project budget of $15,000.

Funding Period

All project activities and incurred expenses must occur within the eligible funding period of July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024.

Applicant Requirements

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants must be one of the following types of entities and must meet all of the related requirements. Entities who do not meet these requirements are not eligible to apply.

Nonprofits

  • Federally tax exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization incorporated and physically located in Iowa
  • Physical location of the organization is defined as maintaining a current home office and registered agent address in Iowa defined by Iowa Code 490.501 as well as maintaining a primary staff presence physically located and working in Iowa
  • Entities located in a border community may be eligible under the Border State Policy
  • Entities not yet formally organized may be eligible under the Fiscal Agent Policy
  • An organization whose primary purpose is to channel resources (financial, human, or other) to an affiliated organization may only apply if the affiliated organization does not submit its own application. This prohibition applies even if each organization has its own 501(c)3 status. For example, the "Friends of ABC Museum" may not apply if the ABC Museum applies.

Schools

  • Public and private schools that serve grades pre-K through 12 and are physically located in Iowa
  • Nonprofit institution of higher education physically located in Iowa

Communities

  • Unit of local, county or federally-recognized tribal government physically located in Iowa

Universal Entity Identifier (SAM-UEI)
The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a unique number for doing business with the federal government. All Iowa Arts Council applicants are required to have a UEI, except for individual applicants, and maintain an active SAM.gov registration for the duration of the application process and, if awarded a grant, for the life of the award.

Entities applying to the Iowa Arts Council must be registered with the U.S. Government's System for Award Management (SAM), at www.sam.gov. Entities registering in SAM.gov are automatically assigned a UEI number as a part of the registration process.

Ineligible Applicants

Ineligible applicants include the following types of entities.

  • For-profit corporation or business
  • Individuals should apply through the Art Project Grant for Artists program

Art Project Requirements

Eligible Projects

Eligible projects must involve an arts experience or arts learning opportunity and must demonstrate public value to Iowans through deliberate public engagement and access to project activities. Types of eligible projects include community events, performances, exhibitions, festivals, or workshops dedicated to arts related activities. All project activities must have a clear beginning and end date within the eligible funding period.

Applicants may only apply for support of a yearly event or series if the applicant can demonstrate how the project is unique and worthy of support within the particular year of the funding period. Project content must change from year to year.

Applicants may only apply for support of a public art project if the applicant can demonstrate broad-based community engagement and programming surrounding the project.

Ineligible Projects

Projects that fall outside of the identified types of eligible projects may not request funding through this grant program. Ineligible projects also include the following types of activities.

  • Acquisition/purchase of artwork
  • Capital projects
  • Collection maintenance or restoration
  • Construction or renovation of a property
  • Domestic travel-dominant projects that primarily benefit the applicant
    • Projects that involve domestic travel outside of Iowa must clearly demonstrate how the activities benefit Iowans and the arts community in Iowa
  • Fundraiser or benefit costs
  • Lobbying activities
  • Non-arts projects
  • Ongoing projects or programming for which the identified beginning and end dates are arbitrary
  • Project submitted by an individual that is initiated, managed by, or that benefits an entity or organization with which the individual applicant has a formal affiliation such as employment or volunteer service
  • Projects that result in an applicant’s course credit, degree or certification
  • Projects that occur prior to or after the funding period
  • Religious activities

Budget Requirements

Eligible Grant Request Expenses

Art Project Grants support project expenses that are essential to the completion of the proposed project. The grant request must be dedicated to eligible one-time, direct project expenses, legitimate parts of the proposed project, and must be incurred and expended within the eligible funding period. Expenses identified in the grant request should be based on competitive, current market pricing. Applicants that include ineligible expenses in the grant request will be considered ineligible.

Eligible grant request expenses include direct project costs such as:

  • Access accommodations (e.g., audio description, sign-language interpretation, closed or open captioning, large-print brochures/labeling)
  • Artist Fees (e.g. creation, preparation, performance time)
  • Domestic Travel (e.g. mileage, accommodation, per diem)
  • Marketing (e.g. print material, ad buys, design fees)
  • Materials (e.g. paint, costumes, props)
  • Personnel Time Dedicated to the Project* (e.g. planning, execution, evaluation time)
  • Professional Services (e.g. printer, graphic designer, security)
  • Rentals (e.g. stages, lighting/sound, scissor lift, portable restrooms)
  • Supplies under a total of $5,000 per unit (e.g. camera, computers/software, kiln)

*Applicant must demonstrate how personnel time is specifically dedicated to the proposed project. Personnel benefits are not eligible. Other state agencies cannot include personnel cost in the direct grant request, but they can be included as part of the cash match.

Indirect Costs
Applicants may also include indirect costs as part of the grant request. The indirect cost rate is either determined by a current and appropriate indirect cost rate negotiated with your Federal Cognizant Agency or a de minimis rate of 10%. The indirect cost rate can only be applied to direct costs included in the grant request and does not include costs included as part of the grant request match.

Ineligible Grant Request Expenses

Expenses that fall outside of the identified eligible expenses for the project may not be included as part of the grant request. Applicants that include ineligible expenses in the grant request will be considered ineligible.

Ineligible grant request expenses include:

  • Acquisition/purchase of artwork
  • Budget shortfalls
  • Capital expenditures, including the purchase of tangible personal property (including information technology systems) having a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit cost that is equal to or greater than $5,000.
  • Collection maintenance or restoration expenses
  • Commercial (for-profit) enterprises or activities, including concessions, food, T-shirts, artwork, or other items for resale. This includes online or virtual sales/shops.
  • Costs for the creation of new organizations
  • Deficit or debt reduction
  • Donations or contributions to other organizations
  • Expenses incurred prior to or after the funding period
  • Food, beverage, and alcohol
  • Foreign travel
  • Funding cash reserve or endowment accounts or instruments
  • Fundraising or benefit activity expenses
  • General miscellaneous or contingency costs
  • Home studio/office costs or expenses, including utilities and mortgage payments
  • Lobbying activity
  • Ongoing or operating expenses, including utilities, rent/lease, office supplies, and personnel time that is not dedicated to the project. These expenses can be included as part of indirect costs.
  • Personnel benefits
  • Prizes and awards
  • Project costs supported by any other federal funding
  • Property maintenance, restoration or renovation expenses
  • Purchase and/or use of gift cards and gift certificates to support project costs
  • Purchase of a vehicle
  • Social activities such as receptions, parties, galas, community dinners, picnics, and potlucks
  • Tuition, fees or project activity that results in an applicant's undergraduate or graduate course credit, degree or certification
  • Unallowable expenses for federal awards as defined in 2 CFR 200 Subpart E - Cost Principles
  • Unrealized ticket or event revenue (providing free tickets or scholarships to attend an event)

Match Requirement

Applicants are required to demonstrate investment in a project by providing cash matching funds in an amount that is one half (50%) the total grant amount requested from the Iowa Arts Council. For example, an applicant that requests $10,000 in grant funds must have at least $5,000 in cash match for a minimum project budget of $15,000.

The required cash match must be dedicated to one-time project expenses that are legitimate parts of the proposed project. Expenses identified in the match should be based on competitive, current market pricing. Applicants will be required to identify all anticipated cash match expenses and in-kind contributions beyond the grant request in the project budget as well as the anticipated revenue sources that will cover them. The cash match does not have to be secured at the time of application but must be secured and identified in the final report at the end of the funding period.

  • Cash match is actual cash contributed to direct project expenses by the applicant or other funding sources. Staff time dedicated to the project and indirect costs can be included as part of the cash match.
  • Expenses used for cash match must be adhere to same grant request expense eligibility as detailed in the Budget Requirements section of these guidelines
  • In-kind match is non-cash goods or services provided at no charge to the project by a third party
  • Funding from the state government cannot be used to meet the match requirement
  • Funding from the federal government cannot be used to meet the match requirement

Funding Priorities

Applications are encouraged from all applicants that meet the applicant eligibility requirements; however, priority will be placed on applications from individuals and organizations that are led by or primarily serve populations that have historically been under-resourced by arts and cultural funding due to rural geography, race/ethnicity, or socioeconomic status as defined in the Grants Terms and Definitions for fiscal year 2024.

Review Process

Department Eligibility Review

Submitted applications are reviewed by staff for completion, eligibility and adherence to published funding priorities and guidelines. Applications are reviewed as submitted. New application information or subsequent application clarification submitted after a program deadline is not considered unless requested by a program manager. Staff will also review an applicant’s record of compliance and good standing with the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, State and Federal government. Applications or applicants determined by staff to be ineligible or incomplete will not move forward to panel review and are specifically denied any appeals process.

Competitive Panel Review

Eligible applications will be referred to a competitive review by a panel of professionals with appropriate expertise commensurate to the purpose of the grant program. Applications will be scored and ranked based on the published scoring rubric. Recommendations are submitted to the Administrator of the Iowa Arts Council and Director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs for consideration and funding approval. Applications will be awarded funding based on the ranked list, funding priorities, and available funding. All funding decisions are final and may not be appealed due to dissatisfaction. Applicants may review the department appeals policy for information on grounds for appeal and the appeal process.

Decision Notification

Typically, applicants are notified of funding decisions within eight weeks after the application deadline. Applicants are notified of the status of their application whether they are or are not selected to receive funding. Applicants will be contacted if any additional information is required and are encouraged to refrain from contacting staff for application status updates until funding decisions are made.

Online Application Submission

Applicants must submit applications via the Iowa Arts Council’s SlideRoom, an online application portal. Applications will not be accepted in any other format. Late, incomplete or ineligible applications will not be accepted. Applicants can access the current online application requirements at iowaartscouncil.slideroom.com. Applicants must create a login to view the full application requirements for the program. Applicants can visit help.liaisonedu.com for assistance related to the online submission.

Application Narrative Questions and Scoring Rubric

The following scoring rubric will be used to evaluate applications. Each section has criteria and corresponding point values to ensure a fair review process. The rubric is on a scale of 27 points. Application questions are for reference only. Applicants must review and complete application requirements in the Slideroom portal.

Mission Statement

Enter applicant’s mission statement.

Applicant Profile

Describe the applicant organization and a broad overview of the programs and services the organization offers. Highlight in more detail one recent arts focused program or service the organization has offered that demonstrates the organization’s ability to accomplish the proposed project. Describe why the organization felt the highlighted program or service was a success.

APPLICANT PROFILE: 3 points possible

3 Applicant demonstrates exceptional programs and services that clearly advance its mission and has successfully managed relevant arts projects in the past.

2 Applicant offers programming or services that support its mission. A relevant past program or service has been identified that may demonstrate the applicant’s ability to accomplish the proposed project.

1 Applicant’s programming or services are not clearly described or do not support its mission. It is unclear if the applicant has past experience in managing projects similar to the one proposed in the grant application.

Project Description

Describe the proposed project, including:

  • What the project is and the project activities that will be accessible by the general public
  • Why the applicant is proposing to do this project
  • Who will be involved with the project and their roles and responsibilities
  • If this is a public art focused request, include a statement regarding permission to use the site where the art will be located and why that site was chosen.
  • If working with an artist(s) directly, describe the process to select the artist(s) participating in the proposed project, including information about any community input and/or any review criteria used.

Is the project part of regular ongoing programming, like an annual event or exhibit/performing arts series? (Yes/No)
If yes, describe why this particular year or project is unique and worthy of funding.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 3 points possible

3 Project description is clear. Key artistic and logistical partners and responsibilities are well-defined and enhance the project. Project activities that engage the general public are exemplary and clearly defined.

2 Project description is satisfactory. Key artistic and logistical partners and responsibilities are identified. Project activities that engage the general public are described.

1 Project description is inadequate. Artistic or logistical partners and responsibilities are unclear or not identified. Project activities that engage the general public are not adequately described.

Public Value

Describe why proposed project is important to the public, including:

  • the intended communities, participants, and/or audiences involved in the project activities, and how they will benefit
  • specific plans engage these groups in the project activities
  • plans to provide equitable access to project activities

PUBLIC VALUE: 3 points possible

3 Target population for the project is well-defined. Plans to engage intended audience(s) in the project and provide equitable access to project activities are exemplary. Community members will clearly benefit from project activities.

2 Target population for the project is identified. Plans to engage intended audience(s) in the project and provide equitable access to project activities are satisfactory. Community members will benefit from project activities.

1 Target population for the project is not clearly identified. Plans to engage the public and provide equitable access to project activities are inadequate. Community members may not benefit from project activities.

Project Timeline

Provide a timeline of when project activities will occur. Be sure to include when key artistic decisions will be made, project phases, and events, as applicable. If you include activities that occur outside of the funding period for context, indicate that by adding an asterisk (*). Project activity dates may be estimated by month, i.e. September 2023, if a specific date is not yet determined.

PROJECT TIMELINE: 3 points possible

3 Confident project will successfully happen through a clear, detailed timeline of tasks.

2 Project is achievable through the identified timeline of tasks.

1 Multiple concerns about project achievability. Timeline of tasks is insufficient.

Project Outcomes & Evaluation

State at least one distinct and measurable outcome that the applicant intends to achieve with the proposed project. A second outcome is optional. Effective project outcomes are specific, measurable, and can be reasonably achieved by the proposed activities. Avoid outcomes focused on numbers like “The Applicant will provide 10 art classes to 100 students.” Instead focus on how the project will result in changing the knowledge, attitude, skill, or behavior among the people the project is designed to benefit. Describe how you will monitor and evaluate progress toward the project outcome. Examples of evaluation activities include surveys of program participants, measuring attendance, and third party program evaluations, among others. If applicable, include plans to share learnings and outcomes.

In addition, select one Iowa Arts Council strategic goal that best aligns with the applicant’s stated project outcome(s). Note: this item is not scored and will be used for program monitoring and reporting purposes.

  • Build the capacity and resilience of arts organizations, especially as it relates to addressing challenges around operating models and leadership, financial sustainability and audience development.
  • Ensure that Iowa K-12 students have access to meaningful arts learning opportunities and career and learning pathways in the arts.
  • Foster arts programming that seeks to advance individual and community health and well-being.
  • Invest in creative projects that enhance the cultural identity of communities and districts.
  • Nurture and support cross-sector partnerships that include the arts and artists as a core partner to address community needs
  • Promote access to the arts by addressing barriers to participation, ensuring diverse community representation in programming, and increasing accessibility for those with disabilities.

PROJECT OUTCOME & EVALUATION: 3 points possible

3 Applicant has clearly identified a project outcome that is specific, measurable, and can be achieved by the proposed activities. The applicant has clear methods in place to collect necessary data to analyze achievement of project outcome.

2 Applicant has identified a project outcome that is measurable, and is likely to be achieved by the proposed activities. Evaluation methods and measures are satisfactory and may help the applicant to collect the necessary data to determine if the project outcome was achieved.

1 Project outcome is unclear and/or the identified outcome is not likely to be achieved by proposed activities. Evaluation methods and measures are inadequate.

Project Budget

Grant Request Expenses
Itemize the eligible expenses that will be funded by the grant request, including a description and the dollar amount for each. Round to the nearest dollar. Do not enter decimal signs or commas. Add a final "TOTAL" row at the bottom that identifies the total grant request.

Expense Description Grant Request Amount ($)


Match Expenses
Detail any cash match expenses or in-kind contributions outside of the grant request that are dedicated to the project, including the total cash amount or in-kind value, the funding source, and whether the funding source has been secured for the expense. Round to the nearest dollar. Do not enter decimal signs or commas. Add a final "TOTAL" row at the bottom that identifies the total cash expenses and total value of in-kind contributions.

Expense Description Cash Match ($) In-Kind Value ($) Funding Source Secured (Yes/No)


Estimated Total Project Cost
Enter the total estimated cost of the project. This value should equal the sum of the grant request, cash match expenses and in-kind contributions. Round to the nearest dollar. Do not enter decimal signs or commas.

BUDGET: 3 points possible
3 Project budget and intended use of requested funds are clear and appropriate. Project demonstrates financial support by leveraging diverse sources of funding for cash match and in-kind expenses. 2 Project budget, intended use of requested funds and sources of funding for cash match and in-kind expenses are identified. 1 Project budget, intended use of requested funds or sources of funding for cash match and in-kind expenses are unclear or inadequate.

Artistic Work Samples

Submit 3-5 artistic work samples that directly relate to the proposed art project. Artistic work samples should demonstrate the quality of the artistic work in the proposed project or the quality of the applicant’s past work as it relates to the proposed project. Artistic work samples must represent an artistic work or performance. Artistic work samples do not include bios, testimonials, news articles or marketing material such as brochures, fliers or posters.

  • Provide 3-5 items.
  • Video and audio files should not exceed 3 minutes each.
  • PDF files should not exceed 1 page each.
  • Panelists will not be required to view more than 1 page of a document or more than 3 minutes of an audio or video file.

ARTISTIC WORK SAMPLES: 3 points possible

3 Artistic work samples are of high quality, relevant to the proposed project, and clearly demonstrate exceptional capabilities in artistic concept and form.

2 Artistic work samples are of average quality, relevant to the proposed project, and demonstrate capabilities in artistic concept and form.

1 Artistic work samples are of poor quality or demonstrate inadequate capabilities in concept and form.

Overall Application

Optional Support Material
Optional: Submit 2 pages of document support material for the proposed project. Support material may include an evaluation tool, sketch of a proposed artwork, marketing material, press clippings, lesson plans or artist bios. A list of web links is not acceptable.

Optional Support Narrative
Optional: If the applicant did not attach additional support material, use this space to let panelists know if there is anything else that would be essential for panelists to understand about your project relative to the review criteria. Do not use this space to continue an answer from earlier questions.

The following scoring criteria reference the quality of the proposal and application as a whole and not a particular question. Optional Support Materials will be considered in Overall Artistic Vitality and Case for Support.

OVERALL ARTISTIC VITALITY: 3 points possible

3 Project provides Iowans an arts service or experience that will substantially impact the vitality of the arts in Iowa.

2 Project provides Iowans an arts service or experience that will reasonably impact the vitality of the arts in Iowa.

1 Project does not provide Iowans an arts service or experience that will adequately impact the vitality of the arts in Iowa.

CASE FOR SUPPORT: 3 points possible

3 Case for support is exemplary and merits investment from the state.

2 Case for support is average.

1 Case for support is below average or does not merit state investment.

Glossary of Terms and Definitions

Applicants should refer to the glossary for clarification of program terms and definitions.