Grant Details
Bravo Greater Des Moines offers financial support to its local government partners for new public art plans and projects that generate more artistic and cultural expression in Greater Des Moines. Bravo defines “public art” as semi-permanent or permanent artwork that is free and accessible to the public and enhances and activates spaces in new and dynamic ways. Public art projects may be stand alone, integrated or applied installations. Priority will be given to projects that meaningfully involve both artists and the community intended to experience the artwork in design and development and projects which are unique to the individual community completing the application
A total of up to $350,000 is available for Public Art Grant (PAG) awards in grant cycle 2025 (GC25). This is a competitive grant program; it is likely not all funding requests will be approved.
The GC25 application opens Monday, August 19. Review the Public Art Grant guidelines below:
Eligible PAG applicants (government partners) must meet each of the following criteria:
- Have a current 28E Agreement with Bravo Greater Des Moines
- Meet with Bravo staff about their project or plan by September 13, 2024.
Failure to meet these criteria will result in ineligibility for funding in GC25. Government partners may submit only one PAG application per grant cycle.
Government partners that received a Bravo Public Art Grant in GC24 are eligible to apply in GC25. However, priority may be given to government partners that did not receive funding from Bravo in GC24.
Eligible PAG projects include concept development and the creation and/or installation of works of public art. Eligible artwork must have a useful life of at least six months and a total cost of at least $10,000. The artwork may be part of a building, bridge or other permanent infrastructure, but grant funds are restricted to the costs associated with the artistic enhancement of the infrastructure project.
The creation of a comprehensive community public art plan is also an eligible PAG project. A comprehensive community public art plan is an actionable tool used as a road map for a city, including its commissions, city departments, program staff, artists and stakeholders, to maximize public art in supporting the goals, needs and future of its community.
Funding priorities for GC25 are:
- Creation or revision of a comprehensive community public art plan
- Public art projects that are a direct result of current comprehensive community public art plans
- Other projects
Projects that are likely to be completed during the funding period may also be prioritized.
| Bravo PAG funding may be used for the following: |
|
Grant funds must be within the funding period and projects must be completed within 24 months of receiving funds:
| Funding Period | Project Completion Date |
|---|---|
| GC25 January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2026 |
Ineligible projects for PAG funding include, but are not limited, to the following:
- Landscapes and gardens
- Signage, including welcome and wayfinding signs, or any city-branded elements
- Projects previously funded by Bravo Public Art Grant
- Public Art projects at water trail access points that are eligible for the ICON Public Art Grant
- Projects previously funded by Bravo PAG or Bravo/ICON PAG
- Amphitheaters
- Freedom Rocks
- Bus shelters
- Play equipment or non-artistic park revitalization projects
- Installations that do not meaningfully engage artists or artisans
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
- Maintenance/repair of existing public art collection
- Endowment
- Sponsorship
- Existing obligations, debts or liabilities
- Operational expenses related to marketing, promotion and merchandise
- Programming that activates a public art piece
Applicants may request up to 50% of eligible costs for a public art project or up to 75% of eligible costs for a new or revised public art plan. Bravo may, at its discretion, award partial funding requests. Bravo typically funds no more than $50,000 to a single project.
Important Dates
Expected timeline for the 2025 Public Art Grant cycle:
- August 2025 Applications available on SurveyMonkey Apply
- September 2025 Application DUE
- December 2025 Award notifications sent
- January 1, 2026 Grant term begins
- January 31, 2026 Signed Grant Agreements & Resolutions DUE
- December 31, 2026 Grant term ends; all funds must be expended
- December 31, 2026 Project must be complete6
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.