Build a Stronger Community with a Creative Placemaking Grant

NASHVILLE — For the second year, the Tennessee Arts Commission is offering a Creative Placemaking Grants Competition to help build stronger communities through the arts. Calling for applicants specifically focused on using arts or cultural assets to enhance the distinctive character of local Tennessee places for positive economic and community outcomes, the submissions deadline is midnight (CST), Monday, May 2, 2016.

“Last year we received tremendous interest for this grant, especially in rural counties,” said Anne B. Pope, Executive Director of the Tennessee Arts Commission. “Through creative placemaking, communities have used their arts and cultural assets to affect their communities in a positive way.”

Creative placemaking provides the opportunity to animate public and private spaces, rejuvenate structures and streetscapes, improve local business visibility and increase public safety. It brings diverse people together to build shared understanding of culture and community. This grants competition offers applicants the opportunity to enhance their community’s unique assets, strengthening economic vitality, livability and growth.

“Arts and culture can be used by communities to encourage economic growth, quality of life or tourism, or address barriers to community development,” said Stephanie B. Conner, Chair of the Tennessee Arts Commission. “Partnerships among public, private, nonprofit and community sectors can strategically shape the physical and social character of Tennessee’s neighborhoods, towns, cities or regions through the arts.”

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 FY2017. Projects must take place between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017.

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

A list of FY2016 awards is available on the Commission’s website.
Grant applications are now available online. Contact Hal Partlow, Associate Director of Grants at hal.partlow@tn.gov or visit the website for more information.