DUBUQUE, Iowa – On February 15, 2023, the City of Dubuque and the Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission will begin accepting applications from eligible creatives for the Creative Empowerment subgrant program, a one-time limited funding opportunity made possible through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) via American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) resources.
The City of Dubuque will serve as a Local Arts Agency (LAA) to subgrant $15,000 in federally awarded funds in response to economic and community impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Awarded funds will support individual creatives residing within Dubuque city limits in producing tangible arts-based projects that further their careers and deepen their community engagement through meaningful public programs and activities with measurable impact.
"This program will support individuals to advance and share their creative talents with the goal of inspiring community projects and broadening representation in arts and culture while valuing our local creatives and makers as small business owners, entrepreneurs, and community organizers,” said Dubuque Mayor Brad Cavanagh. “We’re hitting on several strategies outlined in the City’s Arts and Culture Master Plan with the Creative Empowerment program, including ‘nurturing individual artists, from amateur to professional to foster engagement at all levels’ and undertaking initiatives that ‘develop, attract, and retain creative talent to promote and support arts and culture as Dubuque’s competitive edge.’ We’ve seen artists and creatives put at the center of community engagement and COVID-19 recovery around the country, and we’re excited for Dubuque to join in these broader national initiatives."
Applications are encouraged from practicing creatives (artists, curators, arts administrators, producers, presenters, etc.) working in artistic disciplines related to the visual arts, dance, music, theater, literature, or media/multimedia that meet all eligibility requirements. Eligible creatives may request funds, including stipends, fees, materials, and marketing costs, that directly support art-based project expenses incurred by producing tangible public-facing outcomes occurring within the defined funding period of performance. Additional information on eligibility criteria and allowable costs is available at www.cityofdubuque.org/artsgrants.
Creative Empowerment funds can be applied for in two (2) different rounds, as outlined below, to align with two (2) independent yet overlapping periods of performance. Funds totaling $15,000 are to be subgranted over the two funding rounds. No match is required. The minimum request is $500. The maximum request is $2,000. Awards will be distributed to ensure funds are available for each round.
ROUND 1 – Open for applications Wednesday, February 15 – Friday, March 24, 2023, for consideration of projects occurring between June 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024.
ROUND 2 – Open for applications Friday, June 2 – Friday, July 14, 2023, for consideration of projects occurring between October 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024.
Applications for Round 1 are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 24, 2023. Applications for Round 2 are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 14, 2023.
Applications must be submitted via the online application portal at https://cityofdubuque.slideroom.com. All information related to the notice of funding, scoring rubric, and access to the online application portal is available at www.cityofdubuque.org/artsgrants.
Free informational webinars will be offered to anyone interested in learning more about the Creative Empowerment subgranting program. All are welcome to attend; advance registration is encouraged. The informational webinars are scheduled for:
Webinars will be recorded with the recording posted to the City’s website for those unable to attend either information session.
Virtual office hours will be held during scheduled day and evening hours for potential applicants to ask questions, address issues, and discuss topics with staff. The schedule is available here.
The Creative Empowerment subgrant program is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.
For additional information, visit www.cityofdubuque.org/artsandculture or contact City of Dubuque Communications and Grants Administration Assistant Laura Merrick at lmerrick@cityofdubuque.org or 563.581.4666.
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