Discussion and possible action to approve the Fiscal Year 2025 Arts and Culture Grant awards in the amount of $264,000, as recommended by the Arts Commission, in accordance with budget authority approved by Council.

Since 1998, the Arts Division has managed the Arts & Culture Grant Program. The total approved budget for fiscal year 2025 is $264,000. By design of the program, several non-profit organizations and Peoria-based small businesses are afforded support in delivering exceptional programs and services to Peoria residents in the areas of visual and performing arts, cultural programs, and community events.  

The goal of the program is to assist non-profit organizations, schools, and Peoria small businesses with financial support enhancing events and activities benefiting Peoria residents. 

This year’s requests, like previous years, are beneficial in several areas such as:  

• providing organizations capacity to participate in city-sponsored events and bringing new events to the community
• enhancing arts programs at Peoria Unified School District schools 
• bringing arts and cultural activities throughout Peoria
• assisting arts organizations with building a significant presence in Peoria 

In addition to the previously funded categories of arts programs and performances, and community events, three new categories were introduced this year: Peoria-based Arts Organizations Capacity Building, Emerging Entrepreneurs in the Creative Sector, and Homeowner’s Associations (HOAs). The Peoria-based Arts Organizations category specifically addresses the challenges of meeting the demand of a growing Peoria and expanding the capacity of the organization to deliver quality programs. The Emerging Entrepreneurs category was added in direct response to the City Council strategic priority of economic development.

A list of the recommended recipients with recommended funding level, and the program description of the grant request is included.

In FY 2025, 40 applications are recommended for funding out of 63 applications received.

Several criteria must be met as part of the minimum qualifications for each grant application. The recipient must be a tax exempt 501(c) 3 not-for-profit individual or organization or a Peoria small business with a Peoria business license; applicant schools must be located within Peoria or have a portion of enrollment area within Peoria; grants for festivals must be held in the city of Peoria; the individual or organization must operate in Peoria or serve residents of Peoria; and each applicant awarded a grant must fulfill all contractual requirements, including providing a final grant report.

A detailed process is used to review, rank, and recommend each application. All grant applications were reviewed by a mixed panel consisting of Arts Commission members, Peoria citizens, and community professionals. The grants were assessed in four categories: 1) Overall Merit of the Project, 2) Benefits to the Public, 3) Clarity of Budget, 4) Past Experience. Each application is scored individually by panel members and ranked based on total score.

On June 25, 2024, the Peoria Arts Commission held its public meeting conducting further evaluation of the applications, discussing the values of the proposals and unanimously approving the below recommendations for Mayor and Council information.                                                  

Summary information of the grant awards for FY 2025 follows: 
 

Arts Projects or Performances - 22 Grants, Grant cap $5,000

community events - 13 Grants, grant cap $20,000

PEORIA-BASED ARTS ORGANIZATIONS - 3 Grants, grant cap $20,000

emerging entrepreneurS - 1 grant, grant cap $5,000

Homeowner’s associations (HOAs) - 1 grant, grant cap $2,500

There has been no previous action on this request.

Staff recommends approval of the grant requests as approved by the Arts Commission.

There is no fiscal impact with this request.