Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Announces New Funding Opportunities for Individuals and Organizations in Arts, Culture, and History

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs has announced three new funding opportunities to help put the state’s arts, culture, history and creative sectors back to work and to launch innovative programs in the humanities.

In total, the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs will distribute nearly $2.4 million thanks to its partnerships with two federal agencies, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, which was enacted in March. American Rescue Plan Arts Grants are intended to reinvigorate arts and culture in communities across the state by supporting jobs and putting Iowa’s creative sector back to work.

In a typical year, more than 42,000 Iowans work in more than 5,000 arts, cultural and creative businesses across the state. After layoffs in 2020 triggered by closures and event cancellations due to the pandemic, the arts, history and cultural sector is still working to recover.

The following new grants are the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs’ latest efforts to help Iowans develop culturally vibrant communities by supporting education in the arts, social studies and Iowa history; building the skills of Iowa’s arts, heritage and cultural leaders; and helping communities across the state become more attractive places to work, live and raise a family.

American Rescue Plan Arts Grants for Individuals and Organizations

Grants range from $500 to $20,000 and are designed to reinvigorate arts and culture by supporting jobs and putting Iowa’s creative sector back to work in communities across the state. The grants are supported by funding from the NEA through the American Rescue Plan. Grant applications are due online October 1, 2021.

The following webinars via Zoom will be offered to help applicants through the application process:

• For individual artists and creatives - Tuesday, September 7 at 2 p.m. Advance registration required.
• For arts and culture organizations – Wednesday, September 8 at 2 p.m. Advance registration required.

American Rescue Plan Humanities Grants for Organizations

Grants range from $2,500 to $20,000 and are designed to help Iowa’s humanities sector respond to the coronavirus pandemic by supporting jobs and adapting programs. The grants are supported by funding from the NEH through the American Rescue Plan. Grant applications are due online October 1, 2021. A webinar for interested applicants is set for 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 9. Advance registration required.

Humanities Project Grants for Organizations

Grants range from $1,000 to $20,000 to support public humanities projects that encourage contemplation, spark conversation and engage the public. Eligible projects will use the humanities to involve and benefit Iowans through innovative programs. The grants are supported by the NEH through a state partnership award. Grant applications are due online November 1, 2021. A webinar for interested applicants is set for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15. Advance registration is required.

Details about the above webinars and the grants themselves are available online at iowaculture.gov/about-us/about/grants. If applicants are unable to attend the webinars in real-time, registration is encouraged to easily access webinar recordings for playback.
 
The above funding opportunities are through the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and being shared by the City of Dubuque’s Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs for informational purposes only.

For questions regarding the City of Dubuque’s arts and culture initiatives, contact Arts and Cultural Affairs Coordinator Jenni Petersen-Brant at 563.690.6059 or jbrant@cityofdubuque.org.