INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 13, 2020) – Today, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs along with the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced that the Quick Impact Placebased Grant Program, is open for applications. This matching grant is designed to fund transformational projects that spark community-wide conversations and creativity.
A new partnership with the Indiana Arts Commission will earmark additional funding for arts focused projects. In addition to OCRA’s funding, IAC will provide an enhanced programmatic opportunity, while also increasing the total number of fundable projects. The IAC has prioritized their funding to go toward projects that:
- Have Main Street as the lead applicant;
- Are located in a rural county, with a population of 50,000 or less;
- Are public art projects that involve an artist (or artists), with at least some funds directed to support their effort; and
- Have not been funded by IAC before.
Funding for the IAC portion of the program is made possible by support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
“Our organizations have continued to find new opportunities to creatively collaborate and expand community capacity across the state,” said Jodi Golden, Executive Director of OCRA. ”I encourage communities throughout the entire state to reach out to their local artists, Main Streets and non-profit organizations to create new partnerships or strengthen existing relationships.”
The project funding range is $2,500 to $5,000 and for every dollar in grant funds awarded, 50 cents must be matched, via cash or in-kind, by the applicant. Eligible applicants can include community or civic organizations, Main Street organizations, local units of government or schools. In order to apply for this grant, applicants must have a documented partnership for the proposed project.
Golden said that eligible projects should have a positive community impact, while existing and underutilized assets should include a new or additional use. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
- Public art;
- Storefront transformations;
- Pop-up shop and gathering spots;
- Shipping container repurpose; and
- Project-based learning.
“We’re excited to partner with OCRA to provide even more communities in our state with funds that focus on the arts,” said Lewis Ricci, Executive Director of IAC. “Cultural vibrancy attracts employers and employees, and drives more economic development in communities and in the state. It also brings communities together to envision a brighter future for the lives of our citizens.”
Successful applications will demonstrate community collaboration, partnership capacity and meaningful public benefits. Applicants are encouraged to contact their respective community liaison to discuss project eligibility and competitiveness.
An informational video will be released on Wednesday, January 22, that will further explain the program and application process. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. ET, Friday, March 6. Funded projects will be announced on Thursday, April 2. For more information, visit www.in.gov/ocra/quipgrant.htm.
