Overview
The Department of Arts and Culture invests in the creative life of the City of AI. We administer city arts grants, support cultural spaces, commission public art, and develop the creative workforce. The department is funded in part by the 1% for Art ordinance (Chapter 3.22) on city capital projects.
Grant programs
- Individual Artist Project Grants — up to $7,500 for projects with public presentation; rolling deadline
- Cultural Organization Operating Grants — multi-year support for nonprofits with annual budgets under $1M
- Neighborhood Festival Grants — up to $4,000 for community-led events; March and September deadlines
- Public Art Commissions — selected through competitive RFQ for city capital projects
- Cultural Space Stabilization — capital matching grants for arts venues at risk of displacement
Cultural space support
Through the Cultural Space Stabilization fund, the city helps performance venues, galleries, and rehearsal/studio spaces stay rooted in their neighborhoods. Eligible properties may also qualify for Historic Preservation review under Chapter 17.55.
Public art
Current and recent public art calls are posted on the city procurement site. Featured installations include "Tidal Memory" by Solène Marchetti at Lantern Wharf, "Recursion Garden" by the collective Whitcomb Studios at Boole Garden, and "Lighthouse for Beacon Loop" by Idris Pemberton.
Creative workforce programs
- Apprentice Maker — paid 12-week apprenticeships pairing emerging artists with established working artists
- Teaching Artist Roster — credentialing program for artists working in Library, Parks, and school settings
- Cultural Worker Healthcare — referrals and subsidies for self-employed creative workers