City of Liberty Mini Art Grant Program

The Mini Art Grant program is administered by the Liberty Arts Commission, which operates under the auspices of the City of Liberty, Missouri. This grant initiative is funded by the Transient Guest Tax collected from local lodging establishments, including hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast inns. The goal of the Mini Art Grant program is to support cultural and artistic projects that enrich the community and promote tourism within the city limits of Liberty. The purpose of the Mini Art Grant is to encourage artistic expression and cultural development through the provision of small-scale funding for qualifying projects. Grants are awarded in amounts ranging from $500 to $1,000, depending on the scope of the proposal, the volume of submissions, and the availability of funds. The Liberty Arts Commission is under no obligation to award all available funds, and awards will be made only if funds are available and a qualified applicant is identified. All funding is provided on a reimbursement basis for approved projects. To be eligible, applicants must be individuals with a permanent residence in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area or organizations headquartered in the same region. For-profit and nonprofit organizations may apply. However, nonprofit entities must be chartered in either Missouri or Kansas and must submit proof of both federal and state tax-exempt status. Eligible projects must occur within the city limits of Liberty, Missouri. All marketing and promotional materials related to the funded projects must prominently acknowledge support from the Liberty Arts Commission, including use of its logo. Further eligibility requirements stipulate that the projects funded must be open to the general public and accessible to individuals with disabilities. Grantees must also agree to abide by the City of Liberty’s non-discrimination policy, which is embedded as a clause in the grant agreement. Although not mandatory, a post-project summary is appreciated to help the commission assess the impact of the funded work. Applications for the 2025 cycle are currently closed, with the next application opportunity scheduled to open in November 2025 for the 2026 cycle. The program does not require a cash match from applicants. However, some applicants and projects are ineligible, including those associated with political organizations, capital campaigns, staffing or administrative costs, religious promotion, and non-arts-related programming. Projects involving inventory or goods for sale are also excluded from funding. For more information or specific inquiries, applicants may contact Jeanine Thill, Community Development Manager, by email or phone at 816-439-4537. The Liberty Arts Commission maintains oversight of the grant process and reserves the right to decline any proposal that does not align with the objectives of enhancing cultural opportunities and quality of life in Liberty.