Creative Placemaking Grants Competition application deadline is July 17
By Hal Partlow, Associate Director of Grants –
The Commission has received some very positive response to the new Creative Placemaking Grants Competition and we have been speaking to many of you about the application guidelines. I want to remind everyone that the deadline for applications is July 17 by midnight. If you still have any questions or would like to talk through your proposal, please contact either contact Shannon Ford, Director of Community Arts Development, 615-532-9796 or myself, Hal Partlow, 615-741-2093.
The Tennessee Arts Commission has designed the competition to help build stronger communities through the arts. It specifically focuses on the use of arts or cultural assets to enhance the distinctive character of local Tennessee places for positive economic and community outcomes. Creative placemaking answers these questions: How can your community enhance its unique assets to strengthen economic vitality, livability and growth? How can your community leverage its arts and culture resources to help address key opportunities and challenges?
Creative placemaking provides the opportunity to animate public and private spaces, rejuvenate structures and streetscapes and improve local business visibility and public safety. It brings diverse people together to build shared understanding of culture and community. This grants competition offers opportunities for applicants to build on the distinctiveness of their communities.
The Commission expects to provide five to ten awards ranging from $5,000 to $8,000 for projects that occur in one place. Applications that involve partnerships of two or more towns, cities and/or counties can request up to $10,000. At least two awards will be made to eligible rural applicants. A total of $50,000 in grants will be awarded for FY2016.
Eligible projects could include:
- Arts used as a catalyst to revitalize downtowns or neighborhoods
- Development of an arts or cultural business incubator or apprenticeship program
- Development of an activity or project that encourages greater engagement with the arts in state parks, farmer’s markets or other natural, unique ecological or recreational assets
- Transformation of a perceived community liability into a community asset through the arts
Grant applications are now available online. The deadline for submissions is midnight (CT) July 17, 2015.
