Public Art Forward Grant Cycle Reopened!

The reopened 2024 funding cycle is dedicated to proposals for sculpture.
See Guidelines, Application, and Reporting Forms below.

PROPOSALS DUE BY 5 PM MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2024.

Made possible through the generosity of the Forward family, the Public Art Forward grant supports creation and installation of a new work of public art in downtown Harrisonburg each year through 2025. The maximum award is $15,000 per year. 

The newly reopened 2024 funding cycle is dedicated to proposals for sculpture.

Artists interested in submitting a proposal are strongly encouraged to attend the online Public Art Forward Grant Info Session (April 24 at 4 pm) to learn about the application process and ask questions.
REGISTER HERE FOR THE INFO SESSION.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Grant applications should be submitted electronically and must be received by Arts Council of the Valley no later than 5 pm June 2, 2024. Public Art Forward grant guidelines, as well as application and reporting forms are available via links from this page. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.

FUNDING
Grant payments are made in three equal installments. The first payment is made following receipt of a completed Grant Agreement, provided to grantees with the award notification. The second payment - at the project mid-point - is paid following Arts Council of the Valley receipt and approval of a mid-project status report. The third payment is made following Arts Council of the Valley receipt and approval of the completed Final Grant Report (due within three weeks of project completion or by 5 pm February 15, 2025, whichever is earlier).

Public Art Forward FAQs

Q. Does this grant fund murals or sculptures?
A. The first Public Art Forward grant in 2023 funded a mural on the MODdisplays building. The reopened 2024 funding cycle is dedicated to proposals for sculpture.

Q. Who submits the proposal? The artist or the owner of the location where the artwork is to be installed?
A. The artist is responsible for submitting the proposal.

Q. Who determines where the artwork will be located?
A. The artist, in collaboration with a business/organization owner, will propose a downtown Harrisonburg site for review by Arts Council of the Valley. Arts Council of the Valley is working to compile a list of possible public art locations in the Downtown Arts & Cultural District.

Q. How can I find out who owns a property where I’m interested in creating a public artwork?
A.  This site (https://gis.vgsi.com/harrisonburgva/Search.aspx) has a property lookup feature which may be helpful in identifying the building owner. Arts Council of the Valley is working to compile a list of possible public art locations in the Downtown Arts & Cultural District.

Q. Am I responsible for maintaining the artwork?
A. No. The artist is required only to provide the 10-year maintenance plan; the property owner will determine to what degree that plan is to be followed.

Q. What if my proposed work of public art costs more than $15,000?
A. We encourage you to seek other sources of funding, perhaps from the business where your artwork will be located, or another type of arts grant before submitting your Public Art Forward proposal.

Q. Will you award more than one grant per year as long as the project totals are equal to or less than $15,000?
A. No. Only one Public Art Forward Grant will be awarded each year.

Q. Might the same artist receive this grant more than one year?
A. An artist may apply each year for the Public Art Forward grant. Receipt of the grant one year does not ensure that the same artist would be selected in a later funding cycle.

Q. I’m still waiting on some information; may I submit most of my application by the deadline and add a few details after that?
A. No. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Q. Can my project begin before the grant is awarded?
A. To be eligible for grant funding, the project must occur within the specified project dates for the funding cycle. Public Art Forward projects must start on or after May 29, 2024 and conclude on or before December 31, 2024.  

Q. May I combine all my proposal attachments into a single pdf?
A. Separate attachments, labeled as specified in the application form, are strongly preferred by the grants committee.

Q. I see the grant amount is paid in three installments. What if I need additional money to cover material costs before the September 15 deadline for the mid-project report?
A. Depending on the timeline for your project the mid-project report might be submitted well before the October deadline. Should you need the second check to cover materials before you reach the project mid-point, please email advancingvalleyarts@gmail.com to describe your situation.

Q. What if the grant isn’t awarded one year? Does the money roll over to the next year, or is that a lost opportunity?
A. In that event, the decision would be up to the donor.

PUBLIC ART FORWARD
REOPENED FOR 2024 GRANT PROPOSALS

grant cycle timeline

• April 2, 2024: Grant cycle reopens

• Free Online Grant Info Session: Wednesday, 4/24 at 4 pm REGISTER HERE!

• June 2, 2024: Grant applications due by 5 pm

• June 17, 2024: Grant recipient notified

• June 17, 2024 - January 31, 2025: Project occurs  

• October 15, 2024 - Mid-Project Report due by 5 pm 

• February 15, 2025: Final Reports due by 5 pm

Guidelines & Forms

Questions? Contact Arts Council of the Valley at advancingvalleyarts@gmail.com

First Public Art Forward Mural is Dedicated

The new Public Art Forward mural on the MODdisplays Building (273 E Market St, Harrisonburg) was dedicated Aug 30, 2023 during a brief ceremony.

Artist Laura Thompson’s mural represents the first Public Art Forward grant awarded by Arts Council of the Valley (ACV). The new grant, made possible by the generosity of the Forward family, provides up to $15,000 once each year through 2025 to create a new work of public art in downtown Harrisonburg. 

“We are so appreciative of the Forward family’s commitment to expanding opportunities for people to experience public art in our community,” ACV Executive Director Jenny Burden said. 

“This grant highlights the interest in and growth of public art in downtown Harrisonburg,” she added.

Signage near the mural features information about the artist and artwork, and a QR code links the items portrayed (ranging from a lion and ducks to a sunflower and diver) to stories of their local connections.

Thompson is a local painter, mixed media artist, and former public school art teacher who is active in local arts. She has painted several interior murals, working with students in schools where she taught. For her first exterior mural project, Thompson turned to Andre Shank, an experienced mural artist living in Richmond, VA, who served as a mentor and consultant to help ensure a successful design and installation process.