Partnership Grant
Arts Partnership Grants are discretionary grant awards for projects that align with one or more current and funding priorities and strategic goals in the Iowa Arts Council 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.
Note: Arts events focused on the creation or presentation of artwork are ineligible for the Arts Partnership Grant program. Applicants should apply to the appropriate Arts Project Grant program for these activities.
Program Update
For activities taking place beginning July 1, 2024, eligible projects must align with one or more current strategic goals in the Iowa Arts Council 2022-2026 Strategic Plan and with one of the following funding priorities:
- Regional and Statewide Arts Events and Conferences: Includes significant regional or statewide arts events, convenings, and conferences that offer professional or leadership development opportunities for arts leaders, advance arts learning and practice in the arts in Iowa, and/or strengthen networks and foster collaboration among artists and arts organizations to significantly impact the vitality of the arts in Iowa.
- Strategic Alignment: Includes projects that involve a strategic partnership between two or more nonprofit arts or cultural organizations or between a nonprofit arts or cultural organization and the Iowa Arts Council to strengthen services or enhance access to the arts for Iowans.
Who Qualifies?
- Nonprofit organization that meets the following criteria:
- Actively registered with the Iowa Secretary of State to do business in the state of Iowa.
- Incorporated and physically located in Iowa or located in a border community that meets the requirements set out in the IEDA’s Border State Policy. “Physically located in Iowa” means maintaining a current registered office and registered agent address in Iowa pursuant to Iowa Code section 490.501 and maintaining a staff presence, with at least one paid full-time staff member, physically located and working in Iowa.
- Exempt from federal taxes pursuant to Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3) or applying through a fiscal agent. “Fiscal agent” is defined for purposes of the program and these guidelines in 261 Iowa Administrative Code 301.3.
- Established for the promotion and development of one or more of the following disciplines or activities: the arts, history, culture, ethnicity, historic preservation, tourism, economic development, festivals or municipal libraries.
- Educational institution, organization, or K-12 school whose primary orientation, mission and purposes are education and/or awarding academic credits.
- Unit of local, county, state, or federal recognized tribal government in Iowa.
Award Amounts:
- Regional and Statewide Arts Events and Conferences: Awards will range from $1,000 to $5,000.
- Strategic Alignment: Awards will range from $1,000 to $20,000.
- Applicants must complete an online application by June 30, 2025 on iowaartscouncil.slideroom.com.
Resources How do I apply?
Submit the application.
Questions
Prospective applicants should contact the Iowa Arts Council first to determine the eligibility of their project. All potential applicants are encouraged to review all published material and contact Arts Council Director David Schmitz david.schmitz@iowaeda.com with questions.
Manage Your Grant
Reference your Award Notification e-mail and Grant Contract for information about managing your grant award. The e-mail and contract include information about contract compliance, acknowledging support, final reports, and other important details.
Final Report
As a grant recipient, you must complete the final report form at the end of the process and share the impact of the project on arts and culture in Iowa.