Activate Grant Program

Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI), a nonprofit focused on city building and place management in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is offering the Activate Grants as part of the 2026 World of Winter Festival. DGRI serves as the central coordinating body for public space activation in the city’s urban core, engaging over 100 local leaders and stakeholders to enhance downtown neighborhoods. The World of Winter Festival, organized by DGRI, is the largest and longest-running winter festival in North America. It aims to transform downtown into a dynamic winter destination through public art, events, and interactive installations. The 2026 festival will run from January 9 to March 1, and grant recipients will be automatically featured in the event’s promotional materials and website. The Activate Grants are designed to provide up to $10,000 in support for projects that activate public spaces through temporary artworks, performances, events, or other forms of creative engagement. Proposed activations must occur within the DGRI boundaries during the festival dates and must be suitable for all ages, free to the public, and accessible. Grant funding may be used for materials, travel, engineering, machinery, artist stipends, insurance (optional but encouraged), and any safety-related expenses such as cord covers. Grants will be paid in two installments: 50% upon approval and permitting, and 50% after project completion. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. EST on July 27, 2025. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old and in good standing with Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Projects should not promote political, religious, or sexual content, and those that include interactive or community engagement elements will receive higher consideration. Installations must be weather-resistant and approved by the City’s Arts Advisory Council if located on public property. While artists are encouraged to suggest a location, DGRI offers support in identifying and securing suitable downtown sites. A detailed list of potential locations is provided in the application materials. The selection process will be overseen by a community-based committee, evaluating applications based on how effectively a proposal activates space, engages the community, and meets quality and feasibility standards. A Virtual Q&A session will be held on June 25, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. EST. Applicants are encouraged to contact Katie Moore, DGRI’s Activation Manager, at kmoore@downtowngr.org with any questions. Final notifications will be sent by September 12, 2025, and installations must be completed and removed by March 2026. To apply, artists must complete a short questionnaire and submit materials including a resume or CV, a project proposal with renderings or images (no AI renderings), a site map, a budget, and visual samples or links to past relevant work. AI tools may be used to support the application but should not compose the majority of the submission. Applications should be submitted via Dropbox with file names that include the artist’s full name. DGRI may use images or footage of selected projects for educational and promotional purposes without profit. The grant opportunity is not rolling but is expected to recur annually. Based on previous cycles, the next anticipated round would open around June 2026. All project implementations must occur within the DGRI boundaries and comply with local permitting and safety standards. This opportunity supports artists, placemakers, and community organizers in shaping the downtown winter experience for Grand Rapids residents and visitors alike.

Projects with interactive elements are prioritized. Avoid AI-generated renderings. Include safety considerations in your budget.