Community Arts Grant

The Community Arts Grant, produced by Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA), supports community-artist collaborative design & implementation of new, exterior wall mural projects sited in underserved communities of Baltimore City. The art projects must be free and open to the public and exist in outdoor, publicly accessible space. Grant applicants may request up to $17,000 in mural project funding support. BOPA will administer Right of Entry agreements (permission to work on property), Artist contracts and assist procurement of required permits. VARA Waiver* signed by artist is required to receive award funds. Mural completion deadline: June 30, 2023.

To apply:  https://bopaartscouncil.submittable.com/submit/67e2ee16-a214-4016-83c5-c24a183159f9/2023-community-arts-grant

Timeline:

· April 1: Grant application opens

· April 21 : Grant application deadline

-April 22 - 30: Mural panel review

· April 30 – May 31: Notification to Semi-Finalists, Environmental Review period, Right of Entry approval

· June 1-30: Notification to finalists, Artist Contracting, Implementation of completed mural by June 30, 2023.

Applicant Eligibility

· This grant program is open to Baltimore City neighborhood and community-based organizations that partner with artists, artist teams, or arts organizations. 

· The lead applicant must be designated by the IRS as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. If this is not the case, applicants can apply through a 501(c)3 organization that agrees to act as the fiscal agent.

· Employees of the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts are not eligible to apply.

· Lead artist must sign VARA Rights Waiver* and return to BOPA to receive award / artist contract.

· Community Org must provide: contact information and letter of support from property owner (BOPA will execute Right of Entry Agreement with property owner on behalf of community and artist), a community-approved mural art design concept (letter of support from community members, artist-led mural design workshops), a Budget Itemized in three categories: Artist Fees, Material Supplies Costs, Installation Costs, and Timeline for mural implementation (schedule for wall prep/priming, mural installation)

· Artist must procure Certificate of Insurance for mural implementation term

· For more information on this program or for technical assistance, contact: Chris Brooks | 410-752-8632 | cbrooks@promotionandarts.org

Project Eligibility 

· All projects must be installed on an exterior wall in Baltimore City, publicly visible and accessible at no cost to the public. Ineligible projects include mural conservation restoration, commercial business advertisement or signage. Mural artwork must be original. Mural location must pass environmental review by DHCD (BOPA will submit materials for environmental review on behalf of community and artist). Artist must sign and return VARA Waiver* to BOPA and enter contract with BOPA to receive project funds.

*Baltimore City Law Department imposed a new requirement which impacts artists who wish to install art on City-owned property: 

To install artworks on City-owned property, artists must sign the waiver of rights pursuant to the Visual Artist Rights Act (VARA). Artists will not receive City funding to install artworks on City-owned property or receive permission to install on City-owned property unless a VARA Waiver is signed by the artist.  

Download, sign the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA) waiver: 

https://law.baltimorecity.gov/contracts-division-forms

Eligible project expenses: 

· Material supply costs

· Artist fees

· Installation costs 

The Grantee is solely responsible for all other expenses.