Arts Engage Grants Available for Creative Placemaking Summit

By Ann Brown, Associate Director of Grants

The Commission is now accepting Special Opportunities: Arts Engage grant applications from individuals to attend the 2024 South and Appalachian Creative Placemaking Summit in Atlanta on March 5-8, 2024. In partnership with South Arts and Creative Placemaking Communities, this professional development is a celebration and convening for placemaking in the Southern Region designed as an annual gathering of 500 artists, administrators, community leaders, planners, designers, and other professionals exploring models at the intersection of arts, cultural heritage, and public policy. With over 50 sessions, experiences, tours and performances throughout the three-day Summit, attendees will come away with innovative and effective approaches to placemaking, with an emphasis on arts and culture ecosystems. Both urban and rural projects throughout the Southeast will be represented through peer-to-peer panel discussions and workshops.

Individuals interested in the Special Opportunities: Arts Engage grant must apply in the online grants system. Funds will be distributed first-come, first-served. Outside of the Creative Placemaking Summit, Arts Engage grants are not intended to fund expenses for individuals or organization staff to attend professional development or conferences offered outside of their agency nor to travel out-of-state. Arts Engage grant funds may be used to support registration fees for the Creative Placemaking Summit ($325 early bird registration beginning October 15, 2023 or $375 regular registration) as well as travel expenses. An individual applying to attend the Creative Placemaking Summit must be a resident of Tennessee. The maximum request amount for individuals is $1,000. Eligible expenses are listed below.

Funds for the Creative Placemaking Summit may be used for:

• Stipends: Applicants may request a $100 stipend for each full day of training (7 or more hours) and $50 for each half day (less than 7 hours).
• Registration fees for the conference.
• Travel for the individual applicant only (although attendees are encouraged to carpool). All travel expenses must be approved beforehand and will require proof of receipt upon request for funds. Eligible travel fees include:
  • Mileage reimbursement at $0.655/mile and subject to change per state regulations.
  • Parking fees
  • Airline tickets, baggage fees, and ground transportation
• Hotel: Applicant may request funds at the hotel rate indicated by the GSA here.

For more information, view the Special Opportunities: Arts Engage grant guidelines.