Arts

COMMUNITY ARTS GRANTS

Geographic scope: Winnebago County, Waushara County, Green Lake County, or the city of Ripon
Range of grantmaking: Grant awards are typically less than $5,000
Grant application deadline: May 17, 2023
Grant decisions: Mid to late June
Contact: Amy Putzer, [email protected] or 920-426-3993

OVERVIEW

Participation in arts and cultural activities enriches the lives of individuals, promotes interaction among residents, provides opportunities to deepen learning, and builds community across groups with diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

In order to support local arts programming, the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation applies annually for a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board, the state agency that nurtures creativity, cultivates expression, promotes the arts, supports the arts in education, and stimulates community and economic development. All funds received are matched with local community donations to the Fund for the Arts, and then re-granted to established arts organizations or nonprofit groups with an innovative arts program.

GRANT GUIDELINES

Community Arts Grants support the creation and presentation of arts in our community. Proposed projects can be any artistic discipline or combination of artistic media. Priority will be given to innovative arts-related collaborations between arts groups, artists, venues, community groups, or area residents.

Eligible grant proposals will:

  • Enhance local arts programming and arts educational opportunities.
  • Involve an activity that is open to the public such as an exhibition, a performance, a workshop, a residency, a lecture/demonstration, or a publication. A fee for admission or publication may be charged.
  • Not request grant funding exceeding 50% of the total project costs.
  • Ensure that all grant-supported activities are held in spaces that are accessible to everyone.

Examples of eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

  • A theater presents multiple productions and educational programming throughout the year including residencies.
  • A museum or gallery holds an exhibition or community arts event.
  • A performing arts organization presents a dance, music, or theater performance.
  • A community nonprofit group coordinates an arts-based community celebration, festival, or concert.
  • A university department offers an annual art film and video festival for community and university audiences.
  • A literary organization presents a series of poetry readings, a books festival, and/or produces a literary journal featuring local poets.

The following activities are not currently supported by Community Arts Grants:

  • Grants to individual artists.
  • Events or performances that serve primarily as fundraisers for an organization.
  • Travel costs for projects or performances that occur outside of the greater Oshkosh area.
  • Hospitality expenses, i.e. entertainment, refreshments or food at receptions, parties or gallery openings. (These may appear in your project budget but cannot be funded by Community Arts grant dollars.)
  • Activities that have a religious purpose.
  • Activities held by organizations that discriminate on the grounds of race, color or national origin, or on the basis of age or sex.

PAST GRANTS

Grant Awards 2021
Grant Awards 2020
Grant Awards 2019
Grant Awards 2018
Grant Awards 2017

GRANT EVALUATION

Grantees are required to complete a final report, account for all funds, and evaluate and report on the effectiveness of the project. At least two digital images should accompany the final report. Copies of promotional materials are no longer required as part of the grant reporting process.

Community Arts Grant Final Report Form

HOW TO APPLY | ACCESS SAVED APPLICATION

IMPORTANT: The Oshkosh Area Community Foundation has transitioned to a new and improved grants management system so you will need to select the Create New Account option when attempting to access the online grant application form. Your previous portal login information will not work in the new system.

  1. PREVIEW the grant application questions.
  2. Submit an online grant application form in the Community Foundation’s new grant portal before the application deadline. All applications MUST be submitted online.
  3. If requested, provide any additional supporting documentation after your application undergoes an initial review. Documentation might include your 501(c)(3) determination letter, Board of Directors list, organizational income statement or balance sheet, most recent IRS Form 990, etc.