Public Art Grant

Bravo Greater Des Moines administers the Public Art Grant (PAG) as part of its 2026 grant cycle to provide financial support for new public art plans and projects in Greater Des Moines. Bravo defines public art as semi-permanent or permanent artwork that is free and accessible to the public, enhancing and activating spaces in meaningful and dynamic ways. Projects may include stand-alone installations, integrated works, or applied art projects. The grant prioritizes projects that actively involve artists and community members in design and development and those that are unique to the applying community. A total of up to $200,000 is available in grant cycle 2026. Applicants may request funding to cover up to 75 percent of eligible costs, with a maximum request of $50,000. Eligible uses of funds include artist fees and stipends, costs related to creating and installing public art, site development costs directly associated with installations, and consultant fees for developing or revising comprehensive community public art plans. All funded projects must be completed within twenty-four months of receiving funds, with grant funds expended within the funding period beginning January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2026. Projects must be completed by December 31, 2027. Eligibility for the grant is restricted to Bravo Greater Des Moines’ government partners. To qualify, applicants must have a current 28E Agreement with Bravo and must meet with Bravo staff to discuss their proposed project or plan by September 19, 2025. Each government partner community may submit only one application per cycle. Those that received PAG funding in the 2025 cycle are eligible to apply again, though preference may be given to applicants that did not receive funding in the previous cycle. Eligible projects include both the development of comprehensive public art plans and the creation or installation of new works with a minimum total cost of $10,000 and a useful life of at least six months. Certain projects and expenses are ineligible. Bravo PAG funds cannot support projects such as landscapes, gardens, signage, amphitheaters, bus shelters, play equipment, or projects that do not meaningfully engage artists. Ineligible expenses include government staff salaries, maintenance of existing artworks, endowments, sponsorships, debt repayment, marketing, or programming related to activating artwork. Public art projects at water trail access points are also excluded, as they fall under a separate Bravo/ICON program. The application process includes submitting a completed application along with required attachments in PDF format. Attachments must include a detailed budget with clear separation of public art expenses, a fundraising plan with confirmed and potential sources of support, a project timeline with milestones and opportunities for community input, and up to three images related to the proposed project. Award notifications will be issued by December 8, 2025. Successful applicants must sign grant agreements by January 30, 2026, to receive funding. Final renderings of the project will be required before funds are disbursed, and a final grant report must be submitted at the end of the funding period. Applications will be evaluated by an anonymous review panel based on the information submitted, with final award decisions made by the Bravo Board of Directors. The review process is closed to the public, and applicants are prohibited from contacting board or panel members directly. Bravo emphasizes fairness, consistency, and transparency in its grantmaking. There is no appeal process for funding decisions. For more information or assistance, applicants may contact Bravo Greater Des Moines staff at grants@bravogreaterdesmoines.org or 515-243-0388.

Projects that present compelling visuals and meaningful community engagement perform better.