Arts Mean Business Fund Grants to support the Generation of Economic Growth

The Arts Mean Business Fund is a funding opportunity designed to promote and sustain economic growth within the Peoria region by strategically leveraging the arts. Established as a regional initiative, the fund seeks to generate measurable impact through the promotion of arts tourism, the development and sustainability of successful arts businesses, and increased local government support for the arts. It is also focused on strengthening community engagement in artistic activities and ensuring that the arts are embedded in broader economic development strategies. The fund prioritizes projects and initiatives that have a demonstrable potential to enhance the economic value of the arts sector in the Peoria region. This includes efforts that attract tourism through arts-based events, exhibitions, and performances; support new or existing arts businesses that contribute to the regional economy; and promote greater investment in the arts by city and county governments or economic development entities. The fund’s purpose is not solely artistic—it is economic, aiming to validate and amplify the role of the arts as a catalyst for business development and regional prosperity. Funding allocations are determined on a competitive basis, though the exact amount available for awards in any given cycle is not specified in advance. Applicants are advised to consult the application form for up-to-date funding figures. While the range of eligible expenditures has not been specified in the provided materials, awards are clearly intended to support arts-related activities that stimulate economic participation and benefit the wider community. Applicants should ensure their projects align with these dual goals of artistic merit and economic impact. The fund is region-specific and is not open to applicants nationwide. Its geographic scope is limited to the Peoria area, which implies that only applicants operating in or directly benefiting this locality would be considered eligible. The fund is expected to be of interest to a variety of stakeholders in the arts and business sectors, including individual artists, arts nonprofits, local arts agencies, and possibly for-profit arts enterprises, though the precise eligibility categories were not specified in the current materials and require verification from the application form. Applications must be submitted through an online application system, with the annual deadline falling on the first Wednesday in March. This recurring annual deadline allows interested applicants to plan future submissions accordingly. While no specific information is provided on evaluation criteria, contact information, or timelines for award notification, applicants are encouraged to carefully review the online application to understand the expectations and materials required. There is no mention of pre-application procedures, question periods, or letters of inquiry, so it is assumed that all applications are submitted in full by the specified deadline. Due to the lack of available contact information, funding amounts, and eligibility categories in the current description, potential applicants are strongly advised to consult the full application document for confirmation of required details and submission protocols. This ensures that applications are appropriately tailored to meet both the fund’s economic and artistic objectives.