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Inspire Iowa

The Inspire Iowa Cultural Tourism Grant program supports a limited number of highly visible and high-impact arts, culture and heritage events, performances, productions or exhibitions. Projects will attract new visitors to Iowa communities and showcase our state as a cultural tourism destination.

This funding opportunity recognizes Iowa’s arts, cultural and heritage venues as significant tourism attractions that anchor growing communities. Iowa’s creative sector generates more than $4.5 billion of economic impact annually, while stimulating local spending, supporting the broader hospitality industry, and attracting millions of visitors to our state.

Inspire Iowa is a partnership between the Iowa Tourism Office and Iowa Arts Council and is administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Funding is made possible through the Iowa Tourism Office.


Who: Nonprofit arts, cultural or humanities organizations or communities that operate a cultural facility in Iowa. The organization must maintain a cash operating expense budget, exclusive of other IEDA grant support, of no less than $250,000 per year.

What: $25,000 - $50,000 (max award of $100,000) with 1:1 cash match requirement

When: October 9, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. for award period of July 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026.


How to Apply

  1. Read the full guidelines
  2. Submit an application


Managing Your Grant

  1. Submit a Request for Reimbursement
  2. Submit the Final Report (for FY 2024 awardees)
Note: All grant recipients will be required to report on the following performance measurements for this grant:
  • Overall attendance/admissions or ticket sales of exhibit/event (locals and non-locals)
  • Attendance of non-local visitors (those who traveled 50+ miles, based on zip code)
  • ROI of Event/Exhibit = Revenue Generated / (State Investment + Local Investment)

Questions? Please contact David Schmitz, Iowa Arts Council Director, at david.schmitz@iowaeda.com or 515.348.6321.