Public Art Matching Grant Program

The Public Art Matching Grant Program is administered by the Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) of Iowa City as part of its ongoing mission to enhance public engagement with the arts. PAAC plays a critical role in fostering creative expression and access to visual, audio, and performance-based projects that are publicly accessible. Through the 2026 Matching Grant initiative, PAAC seeks to continue this commitment by funding innovative projects that meaningfully contribute to Iowa City’s cultural landscape while adhering to the city’s strategic public art goals. The 2026 program offers a 50/50 matching grant structure, with awards ranging from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $3,000. This requires a minimum project cost of $1,000 and a maximum of $6,000. Eligible expenditures include materials or supplies directly related to creating the artwork, compensation for artists or performers, and contract labor necessary for installation or site preparation. Applicants must identify and secure matching contributions, which may come from non-City grants, private donations, personal contributions, or in-kind services and commodities. However, costs such as site acquisition fees, food, fundraising events, or any project with commercial, religious, or political motives are considered ineligible. Projects must be completed within the 2026 calendar year. Eligibility for this grant is intentionally broad to encourage diverse participation. Applicants may be individuals, artists, organizations, schools, or businesses, provided the proposed project is located in Iowa City and remains freely accessible to the public. All proposed works must focus on the arts, excluding those that promote external organizations, require admission, or serve fundraising purposes. The program emphasizes inclusivity and accessibility, and projects must clearly demonstrate alignment with the goals of the Iowa City Public Art Strategic Plan and Management Plan. Applicants are evaluated across several criteria, including the clarity of the application, the qualifications or recruitment plan for artists, the distinctiveness of the proposed work relative to ongoing programming, and alignment with PAAC’s strategic priorities. Other considerations include the definition of target audiences, clarity of implementation timeline, feasibility of success measures, project location relevance, quality of collaborations, strength of financial planning, and quality of accompanying visuals. According to the scoring rubric outlined in the grant guidelines, high-scoring applications must provide exemplary clarity, planning, and public benefit. Applications must be submitted online by 3:00 p.m. CST on Monday, March 2, 2026. The application window opens on January 12, 2026. Interested parties are encouraged to submit early to mitigate technical difficulties. An online Q&A session is offered through Zoom for potential applicants, and a detailed FAQ and scoring rubric are also available to help applicants craft competitive proposals. Disability-related accommodations are available upon request by contacting the Economic Development and Public Art Coordinator, Rachel Kilburg Varley, via email at [email protected] or by phone at 319-356-5248.

Submit early to avoid technical delays.