CREATING A VIBRANT COMMUNITY

This annual grant cycle is managed by the Arts, Culture & Library Services Department which strives to activate Peoria as a place where programming and services are distinctly inclusive, educational, and responsive to the community. Our vision is focused on a vibrant environment where artistic, creative, cultural, and social activities support a high quality of life. These grant programs provide financial support to organizations, schools, businesses, and individuals for various projects through a competitive application and grant review process. These projects benefit the community and are aligned with the priorities of the Arts & Culture Plan, which was adopted by the Peoria City Council in Sept. 2022. 

These grants extend the city’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by promoting the representation and participation of diverse groups of individuals, including but not limited to people of differing abilities, generations, ethnicities and races, gender identities, religious or spiritual beliefs, sexual orientations or veteran status. 

OVERVIEW:

The purpose of the Arts and Culture Grants program is to inspire, enhance, and support new arts and event experiences for residents and visitors throughout the city. It is sponsored by the City of Peoria; facilitated by staff of the Arts, Culture & Library Services Department; evaluated by the Arts Commission for recommendation; and then reviewed by the City Council. 

TYPES OF GRANTS AVAILABLE

ARTS PROJECTS

• Programs or Performances
• Peoria-based Arts Organizations
• Emerging Entrepreneurs in the Creative Sector

COMMUNITY EVENTS

HOAs

 All grants cover specific costs and must include public access as defined by the grant category. Inquiries should be directed to city staff who are available as a resource for best practices. City staff may also assist with the grant application process through the following:

• Grant workshops
• One-on-one sessions

Questions?

Contact Grants Coordinator

Richard Schultz

richard.schultz@peoriaaz.gov

623-773-4604

ARTS PROJECTS

Please Note: To be considered an Arts Institution/Organization/Business, the majority of activity and/or outcome is Art by definition. All arts projects require the participation of an artist or qualified subject matter expert.

Programs or Performances (Up to three grants for $5,000 each per applicant)

Based on City Council budget approval for Programs, Performances, Gallery/Exhibits, and Workshops, arts project grants are available to qualified organizations of all sizes, whose primary mission is to produce, present, or serve the arts in the City of Peoria. Organizations may apply for up to three (3) funding grants by completing a separate application for each project. 

• Visual Arts 

           Painting, Drawing, Ceramics, Sculpture, Photography, Printmaking, and Mixed Media

• Performing Arts

          Music (Instrumental and Vocal), Dance, and Theatre (including Performance Art and Spoken Word)

NEW: Peoria-based Arts Organizations (One grant up to $20,000)

This funding is for arts organizations based in Peoria with an established history of arts activity for five years or more. Priority is given to capacity-building activities including audience development and outreach programming, as well new productions/performances which explore new artistic goals or opportunities beyond the organization’s standard programming. 

NEW: Emerging Entrepreneur in the Creative Sector (up to $5,000)*

Creative entrepreneurs are invaluable assets that lead innovation, deliver creative products and services, generate economic opportunity, and build community identity. This new program helps creative entrepreneurs grow their businesses with an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Visual Arts
• Design
• Film & Media
• Digital Games
• Music & Entertainment
• Culinary Arts

EVENTS (One grant up to $20,000)

Please Note: While this cycle was previously awarded on a rolling basis, this year’s applications must be submitted during the grant cycle. No additional grant applications will be accepted after May 6. 

Peoria Arts and Culture is committed to enhancing the quality of life in the community by fostering and supporting event opportunities within the City of Peoria. The City of Peoria provides grants to assist with the direct costs connected to producing events within the community. These funds are to be utilized to offset hard costs including, but not limited to, facility rental, permitting, traffic control, marketing, solid waste and infrastructure costs. Grants are available to organizations of all sizes, whose primary mission is to produce, present or offer events open to the general public. To be considered, an organization must hold the event or a portion of the event within the City of Peoria boundaries, preferably on City property. 

HOAs (One grant up to $2,500)

Please Note: While this cycle was previously awarded on a rolling basis, this year’s applications must be submitted during the grant cycle. No additional grant applications will be accepted after May 6. 

Grants to HOAs follow the guidelines for events with a maximum award of $2,500. This category is highly-competitive with limited funding.

GENERAL GRANT INFORMATION

Please note: Applicants must meet all the eligibility requirements for their category and submit a fully-completed grant proposal application to be considered for funding. The deadline for applying is May 6, 2024. Applications must be concise, state the purpose of the grant, time frame, and budget. Supporting documents are encouraged to be submitted to assist the grant reviewers in better understanding the proposed activity. 

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR GRANT APPLICATION

Submit the completed application and applicable attachments via Submittable.com by May 6, 2024. 

HOW APPLICATIONS WILL BE EVALUATED AND SELECTED FOR FUNDING

The evaluation process will begin after the grant application due date with the following provisions: 

• Each application will be reviewed to ensure that it is eligible for funding based on compliance with the guidelines indicated in the grant application instructions.
• Applications that fail to meet requirements may be rejected and will not be further evaluated.
• If the grant application meets all eligibility requirements, it will be evaluated by a grant review committee based on the criteria outlined in the application instructions. 
• The panel will review and score grant applications and recommend award amounts to the Arts Commission. Panel review recommendations will be reviewed by the Arts Commission in late June 2024.
• The recommendations will be forwarded to the Peoria City Council for their review in August 2024.
• Award announcements will be made at the end of August 2024. 

What's the Timeline?

The deadline for all grant applications is May 6, 2024. Grant awards will be announced at the end of August 2024. Final reports from awarded recipients are due June 30, 2025. 

Who to Contact

• If you have any questions about the application or granting procedures, please contact Richard Schultz, Arts & Culture Coordinator at richard.schultz@peoriaaz.gov. 
• For technical problems, please contact Submittable by email support@submittable.com.

Important Conditions of the Award

The grant applicant agrees to the following contract conditions by accepting a grant award from the City of Peoria:

• No person shall be denied access to, or participation in, the performance or event based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability.
• Grants are awarded from the date of the executed contract through May 30, 2025. Programming can be extended through June 30, 2025, with an explanation letter sent to richard.schultz@peoriaaz.gov on or before the Final Report deadline of June 30, 2025.
• Any award does not guarantee or imply support in subsequent years. 
• Non-school performances must be open to all residents of Peoria and held in Peoria. Grant funds cannot be used for private or exclusive showings.
• Organizations participating in a city-sponsored event must provide proof of insurance with the City of Peoria listed as Additionally Insured. Insurance is due one month before the scheduled performance/display project date.
• Grant funds may not be used for construction or renovation of facilities, basic operating support, other capital expenditures, or reductions of debts.
• Grant funds may not be used to support events that constitute religious worship, or which would advance or promote a religion or religious purpose.
• Grantees shall expend funds awarded only for the purposes and uses specified in the approved grant application.
• Grantee and the project must demonstrate diversity, equity, and inclusion principles ensuring public funds benefit Peorians of diverse cultures, ethnicities, incomes abilities, genders, ages, orientations, and neighborhoods. 
• Applicants receiving grant awards from the City of Peoria will acknowledge the city’s support in all programs, press releases, and advertisements for grant-supported activities with the following credit line: “(Name of organization/entity) is supported in part by a grant from the City of Peoria.”
• Grantees are required to complete an annual report on Submittable by the City of Peoria no later than June 30, 2025. This will include the following:

                 - Project summary

                 - Program achievements

                 - A closing itemized financial report with receipts

• General observations including successes and lessons learned
• Failure to complete the annual progress report and submit it by the deadline specified will impact future grant requests.
• The Grantees will be required to provide, in writing, a request for an extension of the final report if their programming extends beyond the deadline of June 30, 2025, to stay eligible for future grants.
• The City of Peoria will not consider applications for projects that promote, contain, or advance the following:

                 - Political activities, candidates, or issues

                 - Activities that have a religious purpose

                 - Pornography or sexually explicit or suggestive materials

                 - Substance abuse or the use of any illegal substance

                 - Excessive violence

                 - Material that advocates or implies the discrimination of, or degradation of any person because of that 

                   person’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or disability

SCORING RUBRIC FOR ALL CATEGORIES 

Application scores will be based on the following criteria:

• How closely does the project or activity achieve the goals of each category?
• What are the merits or strengths of each application?
• What is the applicant’s likelihood for success as presented in the narrative and documentation?
• What is the artistic and/or experiential quality of the proposed activity?
• How does the proposed activity reinforce accessible artistic and cultural opportunities and experiences for all residents and visitors?
• What is the potential of lifelong learning opportunities for all ages?

Award amounts are determined via a formula that takes into consideration the total amount of available funds, the average scores of the applicants and the percentage of the requested award amount to be funded, based on those scores. 

Grant Application Components

• Online Application to be completed at https://cityofpeoriaaz.submittable.com.
• A copy of the U.S. IRS letter documenting Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (if applicable) or a City of Peoria Business License
• A Grant Request Proposal
• A minimum of five high-resolution digital photos, press overage or videos representative of the organization's past programming.
• If applicable, a letter of support from each institutional partner. 

A. Organization Background

• The organization's mission statement
• A brief history of the organization (1-2 paragraphs)

B. Project Outline

• What is the project or event to be presented between Sept. 1, 2024, and May 30, 2025?

                 - Include information about when and where the project or event occurs

• What the project or event entails
• How many people are served/engaged, and how they are engaged?
•  What are the goals and objectives of the proposed project or event?

                 - Include a description of how the proposed program, event or activity will serve the residents of Peoria.

• Who are the artists, exhibitors, and consultants involved in your project or event?

                 - Include their name, background, and experience and how their expertise will enhance your project or

                   event.

                 - Please indicate whether they are committed to the project or event or proposed at this time.

                 - Letters of intent by the artists are encouraged and may be attached to the application.

• How does the project or event align with your organization’s mission, vision and strategic plan?

                 - Please be specific on the aspects that directly align with your organization.

• What is your organization’s experience with producing projects or events of similar scale and complexity?
• What resources, including potential partners, your organization will access to facilitate the production of the project or event (e.g. rehearsal space, location, or community partners)?
• How does your organization and its project or event contribute to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity? 

                 - Does your organization have a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement or policy?

                 - If so, please include it with your application.

• Provide a detailed budget for the proposed project or event. Budgets should include staffing, marketing, supplies, and equipment costs. 

Arts Grants Overview 

The City of Peoria is committed to enhancing the quality of life in the community by fostering and supporting cultural opportunities for both local artists and the general public. Arts Grants are formulated to assist with the costs of connecting artists, or their artistic works, with the community. These special programs and arts experiences serve to fulfill public value for the arts and become the rationale for the investment of public funds in these areas. 

Categories

Arts Grants are comprised of three categories:

1.  Projects or Performances 
2.  Peoria-based Arts Organizations Capacity Building
3.  Emerging Entrepreneurs in the Creative Sector

Category 1: Project or Performance (Funding up to $5,000)

Eligibility

• Organizations: At the time of application, the applicant organization must be a tax-exempt, non-profit organization under Section 501 (c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and if applying under this status, must provide an IRS letter of status. Organizations without this status will be given consideration based on the value of programming, as presented to Peoria residents, and must hold a Peoria business license.
• Schools: Applicant schools must be located within the City of Peoria or have a portion of the enrollment area within the City of Peoria. 

Funding Amount

Applicants may request up to $5,000 per project application. The awarded grant may be less than requested. The applicant is not required to provide matching funds. All expenditures must occur no later than May 30, 2025. Organizations may apply for up to three (3) funding grants by completing a separate application for each project. 

Category 2: Peoria-based Arts Organizations (Funding up to $20,000)

This funding is for arts organizations based in Peoria with an established history of arts activity for five years or more. Priority is given to capacity-building activities including audience development and outreach programming, as well new productions/performances which explore new artistic goals or opportunities beyond the organization’s standard programming. 

Priority will be given to organizations for the following strategies:

• To utilize the funding to strengthen its organizational stability
• To increase its community impact
• To establish or expand outreach that promotes the representation and participation of diverse groups of individuals, including but not limited to people of differing abilities, class, generations, ethnicities and races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and veteran status. 

Additional considerations will include:

• A focus that all or in part on how this project will benefit the City of Peoria
• A concentrated effort to reach a greater number of Peoria residents. 

Please note: The capacity building grants cannot be used for projects that fall under the Arts Project category. New productions or performances may be suggested if they expand the organization’s mission and represent inaugural efforts to reach new audiences, prompt greater awareness of the organization, and encourage greater dialogue on topics raised within the themes of the production or performance. For example, an organization’s exploration or expansion of efforts to deliver an artistic experience within the context of a bi-lingual cast or greater access to those with disabilities as described in the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Category 3: Emerging Entrepreneurs in the Creative Sector (Funding up to $5,000)

The purpose of this program is to support Peoria’s creative entrepreneurs to establish and/or grow their businesses and customer base. Consideration will be given to socially or economically disadvantaged creative entrepreneurs to advance the city’s priorities of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This grant program offers up to $5,000 in support of creative entrepreneurs starting a business or currently operating a micro-business with gross revenue less than $100,000 in Peoria. The Emerging Entrepreneurs grant program intends to assist new and existing startup businesses in the creative sector with activities that will benefit the overall economy of Peoria by:

• Establishing and/or expanding the capacity of a new or existing operation;
• Connecting with new customers and/or audiences;
• Increasing revenue potential, and;
• Encouraging an investment in new ideas and innovations.

Applicants must:

• Be 21 years of age or older and live in Peoria
• Manage or intend to launch a start-up business with a gross revenue of less than $100,000 or intend to form or operate a business in Peoria
• Operate in one or more of the following creative industries:

                 - Visual Arts – Galleries, artists, artisans, and makers

                 - Design – Product, interior, graphic, and fashion design firms and designers

                 - Film & Media – Film, video, and animation businesses

                 - Digital Games – Companies, programmers, and individuals producing games

                 - Music & Entertainment – Producers, venues, musicians, and performers

                 - Culinary Arts – Mobile or pop-up food opportunities

• At the time of application, the applicant organization must be a tax-exempt, non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and if applying under this status, must provide an IRS letter of status. Entities without this status will be given consideration based on the value of programming, as presented to Peoria residents, and must hold a Peoria business license.

Eligible Use of Funds

Funds must support business formation or development. Eligible uses of grant funds include:

• Participation in events, trade shows, and festivals that could support audience and revenue generation
• Marketing and promotion
• Studio, rehearsal, or retail space rentals
• Reasonable fees for supporting or collaborating with artists
• Reasonable fees for expert assistance with building a business or marketing plan

Category 4: Community Events (Funding available up to $20,000)

The Peoria Arts and Culture Department is committed to enhancing the quality of life in the community by fostering and supporting event opportunities within the City of Peoria. The City of Peoria provides grants to assist with the direct costs connected to producing events within the community. These funds are to be utilized to offset hard costs including, but not limited to, facility rental, permitting, traffic control, marketing, solid waste, and infrastructure costs. Grants are available to organizations of all sizes, whose primary mission is to produce, present, or offer events open to the general public. To be considered, an organization must hold the event or a portion of the event within the City of Peoria boundaries, preferably on City property. Applicants may request up to $20,000 per grant application; grant funding may be awarded less. The applicant is not required to provide matching funds but must provide a detailed budget for the proposed event. Consideration will be given to applicants who focus on the incorporation of the arts as a key component of their event or activity.

Category 5: HOAs (Funding available up to $2,500)

Grants are available to HOAs that are open to all HOA members. To be considered, an organization must hold the event or a portion of the event within the City of Peoria boundaries. HOAs are encouraged to utilize these funds to encourage new or increased interaction between neighbors, leading to a potentially greater sense of connectedness and neighborhood pride. The applicant is not required to provide matching funds but must provide a detailed budget for the proposed event. Consideration will be given to applicants that focus on the incorporation of the arts as a key component of their event or activity.