Grant Details
As a collaboration between Bravo and ICON, this funding program is for new public art projects or plans that generate more artistic and cultural expression in Greater Des Moines and enhance the community’s ability to safely interact, enjoy or promote ICON water trail sites, access points, creeks, and rivers.
For the purposes of this grant, “public art” is defined as semi-permanent or permanent artwork that is free and accessible to the public. Priority will be given to projects that meaningfully involve both artists and the community intended to experience the artwork in its design and development. Artwork may include, but is not limited to, installations, sculptures, murals, integrated architectural or landscape architectural work, community art and/or digital new media.
A two-year partnership, there is up to $360,000 available for Bravo/ICON Public Art Grant awards in 2024 (GC24). This is a competitive grant program; it is likely not all funding requests will be approved. The program is expected to sunset after GC24.
Eligible ICON PAG applicants must have current 28E Agreements with both Bravo and with ICON. A community may submit only one ICON PAG application per grant cycle. Communities that received a Bravo/ICON Public Art Grant award in GC23 are ineligible for funding in GC24. Communities may apply for both ICON PAG and Bravo’s Public Art Grant in the same year as long as the funds are used for different and distinct projects.
All applicants must meet with Bravo staff about their project before submitting an application. A detailed timeline with available meeting dates will be provided in early 2024.
Eligible ICON PAG projects include concept development and the creation and/or installation of works of public art. Eligible artwork must have a total cost of at least $10,000. The artwork may be part of a building, bridge, landscape design or other permanent infrastructure, but grant funds are restricted to the costs associated with the artistic enhancement of the infrastructure project.
ICON PAG funding may be used for the following:
- Artist fees and stipends or other eligible costs associated with project concept development, which can include the creation of detailed proposals for eligible public art projects
- Costs to create and to install public art, including land and site development directly associated with the public art installation
Projects ineligible for ICON PAG funding include, but are not limited, to the following:
- Maintenance, repair or enhancement of existing public art collection
- Landscapes and gardens that do not have a life of at least 6 months
- Signage, including welcome and wayfinding signs
- ICON MidAmerican Grant funds may not be used for Public Art at water trail access point
- Projects previously funded through Bravo PAG
- Amphitheaters
- Events & Programs
- Freedom Rocks
- Bus shelters
Grant funds must be spent within the funding period and projects must be completed within 24 months of receiving funds:
Funding Period | Project Completion Date |
---|---|
GC24 July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 | June 30, 2026 |
Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to the following:
- City/County staff salaries and wages
- Equipment and fixtures that are not integral to the structure or operation of the artwork
- Endowment
- Sponsorship
- Existing obligations, debts or liabilities
- Marketing, promotion and merchandise
- Public art maintenance
- Programming
Important Dates
Final dates for GC24 are still being determined and will be released in early 2024. See below for a tentative schedule:
- Early March 2024 Application available
- Late March 2024 Deadline to meet with Bravo staff
- Early April 2024 Application due
- Mid-June 2024 Award notifications sent
- July 1, 2024 Grant term begins
- August 2024 Signed Grant Agreements & Resolutions due
- June 30, 2025 Grant term ends; Bravo funds must be expended
- June 30, 2026 Project must be completed
QUESTIONS?
Contact Bravo staff at grants@bravogreaterdesmoines.org or 515.243.0388 with any questions.
ADDITIONAL GRANT RESOURCES
For FAQs, other funding opportunities, trainings for nonprofits, visit Bravo’s resources page.