Creative Catalyst Project Grants provide support for projects that accelerate momentum in an applicant’s artistic career or practice, arts and cultural organization or community through a high-quality arts activity or learning experience. Eligible art projects must include exceptional arts activities, involve collaboration, provide access to Iowans and demonstrate public value.

Areas of focus for this grant program include:

  • Individual Artists: Supporting Iowa’s artists, filmmakers, musicians, and creative writers to undertake activities that advance their artistic practices, increase their capacity, and elevate the creative field in Iowa.
  • Arts Learning: Supporting the presentation of innovative fine arts activities, performances and educational content that expand learning opportunities for Iowa K-12 students outside of the classroom.
  • Creative Places: Supporting efforts to build more culturally vibrant districts, downtowns and communities by engaging artists and undertaking arts activities that enhance a sense of place, promote talent attraction and retention efforts, and/or align with a tourism strategy.  

Applicants will be asked in their application to select the Area of Focus that best aligns with their project and request. The Iowa Arts Council intends to distribute funding across these areas according to demand and competitiveness and without giving preference to any individual area.

Funding for the program is made possible by an annual appropriation from the Iowa Legislature to the Iowa Arts Council, which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority, 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 david.schmitz@iowaeda.com 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 the online application, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator, Jennie Knoebel at 515-348-6324 or jennie.knoebel@iowaeda.com, at least two weeks in advance of application deadline.

Timeline

Fiscal Year 2024 Application Deadline
January 19, 2024 at 11:59 PM for the funding period of February 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024.

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

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

Funding

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

  • Minimum Grant Request: $1,000
  • Maximum Grant Request: $4,000

Match Requirement
Applicants are required to demonstrate investment in the project by providing a cash match that is a minimum of 50% of the total grant amount requested from the Iowa Economic Development Authority. For example, an applicant that requests $2,000 in grant funds must have at least $1,000 in cash match a minimum total project budget of $3,000.

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

Applicant Requirements

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

Artists

  • Individual artist, including visual/performing artist, filmmaker, musician, or creative writer
  • Current, full-time Iowa resident with permanent address in Iowa
  • Legal Iowa resident as defined by Iowa Code 422.4 and Iowa Administrative Code 701.38.17 (422)
  • 18 years of age or older
  • An application must support a project that is initiated, produced, and/or managed by the individual artist, not another entity or organization
  • Individuals who seek funding on behalf of programs or entities that are not yet formally organized as a nonprofit must apply as a nonprofit and adhere to the Fiscal Agent Policy
  • Applicants who represent an artist collective, artist team, or band must apply as an individual on behalf of the group and clearly state their individual role in the project proposal as the individual will be legally obligated to the terms of the grant agreement.

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 or state 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 enrolled in any type of undergraduate or graduate degree granting program at the time of application

Art Project Requirements

Eligible Projects
Eligible projects must involve the creation and presentation of an original work of art, 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. The installation of a mural or public art piece is not eligible without public engagement strategies and programming tied to the project.

Ineligible Projects
Projects that fall outside of the identified types of eligible projects may not request funding through this grant program. Grant funds may not be used to support routine, ongoing activities or expenses. Applicants must demonstrate how the funding will enable them to achieve a particular goal that will act as a catalyst in their artistic career or practice, nonprofit, school or community.

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
  • Equipment-dominant projects that primarily benefit the applicant
    • Projects that involve equipment purchases 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
  • Permanent exhibits
  • 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
Creative Catalyst Project Grants support one-time, direct eligible project expenses that are essential to the completion of the proposed project. Expenses identified in the grant request should be based on competitive, current market pricing. The grant request expenses must be legitimate parts of the proposed project and must be incurred and expended within the eligible funding period.

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 fixed assets or 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, a unit of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. For example, an applicant that requests $2,000 in grant funds must have at least $1,000 in cash match for a minimum project budget of $3,000. In-kind match, which would be non-cash goods or services provided by a third party, does not count towards the cash match requirement.

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

Review Process

Eligibility Review
Submitted applications are reviewed by staff for completion, eligibility and adherence to published 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 Arts Council, Iowa Economic Development Authority, 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 leadership for consideration and funding approval. All funding decisions are final and may not be appealed due to dissatisfaction. Applicants may review the appeals policy for information on grounds for appeal and the appeal process.

Decision Notification
Applicants are typically notified of funding decisions within four 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 21 points. Application questions are for reference only. Applicants must review and complete application requirements in the Slideroom portal.

Applicant Profile - Individual Artists

Vision Statement
Enter artist vision statement. This should be the vision for the artist's work overall not the vision for the project.

Applicant Profile
Describe how the applicant fulfills their artistic vision through their artistic practice, including:

  • type of artwork(s) created including concepts and medium(s) used
  • notable achievements in artistic career or practice

Career Information
Upload a 1-2 page document that details the applicant’s activity as an Iowa artist, such as an artist resume, curriculum vitae (CV), or list of career achievements with dates.

Applicant Profile - Individual Artists: 3 points possible

  1. Career activity, concept and form of work is unclear or inadequate. Relevant notable achievements are unclear or not identified.
  2. Applicant describes artistic practice, concept and form of work. Relevant notable achievements are identified.
  3. Applicant demonstrates active artistic practice with exceptional capabilities in concept and form. Applicant demonstrates a strong record of progress in their artistic practice through relevant notable achievements.

Applicant Profile - Nonprofits, Schools and Local Governments

Mission Statement
Enter applicant’s mission statement.

Applicant Profile
Describe how the applicant fulfills its mission and serves its target population, including:

  • description of programming and services
  • recent notable achievements

Applicant Profile - Nonprofits, schools and local governments: 3 points possible

  1. Applicant’s programming or services are limited, unclear or do not support its mission or serve its target population. Relevant notable achievements are not identified.
  2. Applicant offers programming or services that support its mission and target population. Relevant notable achievements are identified.
  3. Applicant demonstrates exceptional programming or services that clearly advance its mission and serve its target population. Applicant demonstrates a strong record of progress through relevant notable achievements.

Project Description
Describe the proposed project, including:

  • What the project is
  • Why the applicant is proposing to do this project
  • Who will be involved with the project and their roles and responsibilities
  • How the applicant will evaluate the success of the project
  • 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

  1. Project description is inadequate. Artistic or logistical partners and responsibilities are unclear or not identified. It is unclear or not identified how the applicant will determine if the project was successful.
  2. Project description is satisfactory. Key artistic and logistical partners and responsibilities are identified. The applicant has at least one method in place to evaluate their project.
  3. Project description is clear. Key artistic and logistical partners and responsibilities are well-defined and enhance the project. The applicant has clear methods in place to evaluate their project.

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

  • Who is the intended audience for the project activities and how will you communicate with them
  • How will the audience directly engage in and have equitable access to project activities
  • Where and when will these activities take place

Public Value: 3 points possible

  1. Project activities that engage the public are not adequately described. Intended audience for the project activities is not clearly identified. Plans to engage the public in and have equitable access to project activities are inadequate. Communications efforts with intended audience(s) are inadequate or unclear.
  2. Project activities that engage the public are described. Intended audience for the project activities is identified. Plans to engage intended audience(s) in and have equitable access to the project activities are satisfactory. Communications efforts with intended audience(s) are identified.
  3. Project activities that engage the public are exemplary and clearly defined. Intended audience for the project activities is well-defined. Plans to engage intended audience(s) in and have equitable access to the project activities are exemplary. Communications efforts with intended audience(s) are clearly defined and appropriate.

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. February 2024, if a specific date is not yet determined.

Project Timeline: 3 points possible

  1. Multiple concerns about project achievability. Timeline of tasks is insufficient.
  2. Project may be achievable through the identified timeline of tasks.
  3. Confident project will successfully happen through a clear, detailed timeline of tasks.

Project Budget

Budget Form
Detail grant award, cash and in-kind match expenses, including a brief description and the numeric dollar amount associated with each expense in the budget form below. Round to the nearest dollar. Do not enter decimal signs or commas. Please list the sum total for each expense (row in the table) in the column labeled "Total ($)".

Expense Description Grant Award ($) Cash Match ($) In-Kind Match ($) = Total ($)

Total Grant Request
Enter total numeric dollar amount of grant request for eligible project expenses that will be incurred within the eligible funding period. Round to the nearest dollar. Do not include dollar signs, commas or decimals.

Total Cash Match
Enter total numeric dollar amount of cash match for eligible project expenses that will be incurred within the eligible funding period. Round to the nearest dollar. Do not include dollar signs, commas or decimals.

Total In-Kind Match
Enter total numeric dollar amount of in-kind match for eligible project expenses that will be incurred within the eligible funding period. Round to the nearest dollar. Do not include dollar signs, commas or decimals. As a reminder, in-kind match is non-cash goods or services provided at no charge to the project by a third party.

Source(s) of Cash Match
Detail the source(s) of the cash match for the grant activity, including the amount from each funding source and whether the funding source has been secured. Please be specific in the funding source (i.e. specific name of the grant received). Please note, the cash match requirement may be raised through a combination of public and private sources but may not include in-kind donations of goods or services or other funding from the State of Iowa or the Federal Government. The sum of the amounts listed should equal the number reported in Total Cash Match above. Round to the nearest dollar. Do not enter decimal signs or commas.

Funding Source Amount ($) Secured (Yes/No)

Estimated Total Project Cost
This is the sum of the total grant request, total cash match, and total in-kind match expenses. Enter total numeric dollar amount. Round to the nearest dollar. Do not include dollar signs, commas or decimals.

Budget: 3 points possible

  1. Project budget, intended use of requested funds or sources of funding for cash match and in-kind expenses are unclear or inadequate.
  2. Project budget, intended use of requested funds and sources of funding for cash match and in-kind expenses are identified.
  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.

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

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

Overall Application
The following scoring criteria reference the quality of the proposal and application as a whole and not a particular question.

Overall Artistic Vitality: 3 points possible

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

Case for Support: 3 points possible

  1. Case for support is below average or does not merit state investment.
  2. Case for support is average.
  3. Case for support is exemplary and merits investment from the state.

Glossary of Terms and Definitions

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