Placemaking Project Grants Overview

Application Process

The Placemaking Project Grants are made available through an investment from the National Endowment for the Arts and in partnership with the Summit County Land Bank.

All applications, attachments, and work samples will be submitted through ArtsNow’s online grant platform. This is an online, written application. If you prefer an alternate format (e.g., dictated responses, video responses, other languages), please contact Grants@ArtsNow.org, and we will do our best to accommodate.

Applications will be reviewed by a panel of conflict-free reviewers with diverse experience in arts administration, arts activities, or arts funding. Applications are scored according to the review criteria.

Program Timeline:

  • February 1, 2025: Application opens.
  • February 10, 2025, 12pm: Informational Webinar with ArtsNow and the Land Bank
  • March 1, 2025, 11:59 pm: Application deadline.
  • March-April 2025: Applications reviewed by panel.
  • Early April, 2025: Grant award notifications.
  • December 31, 2025: All grant activities must be complete, and all funds must be spent.
  • December 31, 2025: Final report deadline.

Final Report

Awardees must complete a final report sharing project impact, including:

  • Number of people compensated (including artists).
  • Participation numbers (e.g., adults vs. youth, in-person vs. virtual).
  • Photos or videos of the activities.
  • Testimonials from participants or partners.

Grant Guidelines

This funding provides direct support to artists and arts/cultural organizations working in Summit County communities. Grant amounts range from $1,000 to $10,000. Eligible projects can include, but are not limited to:

  • Arts festivals, music, dance, literary or theatrical performances, or workshops.
  • Art, movement, literature/poetry, or music therapy programming.
  • Writing or visual art activities.

Funding can support:

  • Artist fees.
  • Production costs.
  • Art supplies and materials.
  • Project administration.
  • Marketing and outreach to target populations.

Applicants must provide:

  • A project description.
  • Information about the artists involved and documentation of their work.
  • A budget and use of funds.
  • A letter of support from the public venue and/or property owner where the project activities will take place.

Funding Requirements:

  • Grant awards will be made to 501(c)(3) organizations or individuals legally permitted to work in the United States.
  • Grant awards cannot be made to a fiscal sponsor.
  • All eligible projects must take place in ADA-compliant facilities. Outdoor activities must be accessible via ADA-compliant pathways.

Projects CANNOT:

  • Be permanent outdoor installations (projects can be installed outdoors but must be temporary, lasting no more than 30 days).
  • Involve attaching materials to historic buildings or structures (50+ years old).
  • Disturb the ground deeper than 12 inches (e.g., trenching, digging for support structures).

Applicants may submit only one application.

Review Criteria

Applications will be scored by a panel of reviewers based on the following criteria:

1. Public Benefit (50%)

  • The project meaningfully supports connection with the intended audience/community. Applicants should describe how their project genuinely creates community connection, addresses access and accessibility needs, and has a clear, defined purpose and impact.

2. Artistic Experience (30%)

  • Arts and culture are meaningfully incorporated for a relevant and engaging experience. Applicants should demonstrate that the project is centered in the arts, based on community interest, and provides equitable engagement and employment for artists and creative professionals.

3. Feasibility (20%)

  • The applicant has clear and defined plans, including a timeline and evaluation/impact goals, and can successfully manage the project. Applicants must provide a letter of support from the venue where the project takes place, a feasible timeline, and a reasonable budget with evaluation metrics.

Application Assistance

Grant Workshop:
All applicants are encouraged, but not required, to attend an online grant overview session offered by ArtsNow and the Summit County Land Bank on Monday, February 10th, 2025 at 12pm. The workshop will review application materials and walk through the online application process. A recording will be made available on the ArtsNow website.

Contact Information
Email: Grants@ArtsNow.org
Website: akronculturalplan.com/artsforward