The Lane Arts Council announces that applications for individual artists and arts organizations in Eugene are open now, with deadlines set for November. Winners of the annual grants will be announced in January,  and the funding for the awards will be distributed by the end of June.

The art council’s grant programs aim to provide opportunities for individual artists and arts groups by encouraging a diversity of artists and art forms and raising awareness of the importance of the arts in the economic, cultural, social and educational fabric of the larger community.

Individual artist grant

The deadline to apply for the second year of the individual artist grants is Nov. 8. Guidelines and the application are online at lanearts.org/artist-grant/.

The purpose of the grant is to encourage visual, performing, and literary artists of all disciplines. Artists may apply for up to $2,000 in one of three funding areas:

  • Project — support for a new project that contributes to career advancement or artistic development
  • Process — pursue administrative or artistic learning, skillbuilding, or professional development to improve business or artistic practice
  • Progression — increase artistic business capacity through purchase of equipment, supplies, staff time, or other operating expenses

Community Arts Program Grant

The deadline to apply for the community arts grant is Nov. 12. Guidelines and the application are online at lanearts.org/community-arts-grants/.

This grant program offers support to small and mid-sized nonprofit community arts organizations. The primary goal of the 2021-22 grant is to recognize the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on arts organizations and help them move forward with their strategic goals.

Organizations that will be most competitve will have arts as the core of their nonprofit mission and which provide public access to artistic and outreach programs and services in Eugene. For 2021-22, there is no minimum budget requirement to be eligible for a grant; organizations may apply for grant amounts up to 10 percent of their overall operating budgets, to a maximum of $5,000.

Grant program philosophy

In order to better respond to the state of artists and arts organizations in the wake of the pandemic and its attendant economic challenges, Lane Arts Council conducted focus groups, initiated individual conversations with artists and art groups, and carried out an artist survey. The council heard responses from 77 individual artists, leaders of arts organizations, and staff members in order to determine the priorities for awarding the grants for 2022.

“We know that the arts and artists play an important role in community life and will be a catalyst for re-connection and an engine in our economic recovery,” arts council executive director Stacey Ray said. “Arts organizations continue to need critical operational support funds, and artists need flexible funding support to keep going. These grants are an important investment to help sustain our cultural community.”

Informational sessions for artists and arts groups; register online at lanearts.org

  • Sept. 28, 5-6 p.m. — Virtual information session for specifics on the individual Artist Grant
  • Sept. 29, 5-6 p.m. — Virtual information session for specifics on the Community Arts Program Grant

About Lane Arts Council

Lane Arts Council is a nonprofit organization that works to cultivate strong and creative arts communities
throughout Lane County, provide high-quality arts experiences, engage people of all ages in arts
education, and encourage artistic endeavors.