The City of Bloomington announces 2023 - 2027 Public Art Master Plan and Community Art Grants

The Bloomington Arts Commission, along with the Department of Economic and Sustainable Development, is excited to release the 2023 - 2027 Public Art Master Plan to empower City residents to support, invest in, and take advantage of Bloomington’s rich legacy of local public art and culture. The Plan showcases examples of past public art projects and includes tools to enable local artists, community members, neighborhood groups, small businesses, and others to realize their own public art projects. Read the Plan here. 

As part of the Plan’s release, the Bloomington Arts Commission is offering 10 microgrants of up to $1,000 each to local artists, presenters, neighborhood groups, youth groups, and private business owners, to initiate public art projects in neighborhoods across the City. This opportunity will support and inspire local and Indiana-based professional practicing artists to create new works in their community. 

“We should all be grateful to the BAC volunteers and ESD staff for their dedicated work developing the Public Art Master Plan,” said Mayor John Hamilton. The Plan and the new Community Art Grant program will help build the momentum of the Bloomington community’s awesome and inspiring creativity. Together, these tools and resources will enable residents to take artistic ownership of their neighborhoods.” 

All forms of artwork, including sculpture, mural, dance, performance or events showcasing artwork are eligible for the grant. Projects should include collaborations between community groups, artists, and/or businesses. Community Art Grants applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis through Friday, December 1 at 11:59 p.m. The application for the Community Art Grant is available at bton.in/4Arts.