Cultural Leadership Partners
Cultural Leadership Partners provides arts and cultural organizations that demonstrate an exemplary record of cultural and managerial excellence and community service with a designation and flexible financial support over a three-year period. Organizations selected for the program must demonstrate: excellence in programming, leadership and cultural impact on a continuing basis to the citizens of Iowa; sound fiscal and managerial practices; and deliberate community outreach and involvement.
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.
Who Qualifies?
- Iowa 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations whose primary mission and purpose is focused on arts or culture and arts or cultural divisions of a municipal government.
- Eligible entities must operate year-round, maintain a cash operating expense budget of no less than $150,000 per year, and have at least one paid, full-time professional employee.
- Applicants must demonstrate that they have met the eligibility requirements for the applicant’s three (3) consecutive operating years immediately prior to the application deadline and agree to meet them in the current year and in each year of the funding period.
How do I Apply?
- Applicants must complete an intent to apply form by February 15, 2024 on iowaartscouncil.slideroom.com to determine eligibility.
- Eligible applicants will be invited to submit a full application, which will be due on April 1, 2024.
- Please review the Grant Guidelines found under the Resources below for additional information on eligibility requirements, use of funding, reporting requirements, and the review process. Application questions and scoring rubric can be found in the Grant Guidelines.
Resources
- 2024 Cultural Leadership Partners Program Guidelines
- Schedule a meeting with Program Manager Jennie Knoebel to discuss questions about application.
- FY 2024 Cultural Leadership Partners Grant Recipients
Manage Your Grant