GRANT OPPORTUNITY: 2012 NEA Our Town Grants

The National Endowment for the Arts is pleased to announce that they have posted the guidelines for 2012 Our Town grants.  Now in its second year, Our Town supports creative placemaking projects that contribute toward the livability of communities and help transform them into lively, beautiful, and sustainable places with the arts at their core. Our Town will invest in creative and innovative projects in which communities, together with their arts and design organizations and artists, seek to:  Improve their quality of life. Encourage creative activity. Create community identity and a sense of place. Revitalize local economies. Pending availability of funding, grants will range from $25,000 to $150,000.  Projects may include planning, design, and arts engagement activities that reflect a systemic approach to civic development and a persuasive vision for enhanced community vibrancy.  COMPLETE GUIDELINES: http://arts.gov/grants/apply/OurTown/index.html APPLICATION DEADLINE: Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 11:59PM EST GRANT AMOUNTS: $25,000, $50,000, $75,000, $100,000, or $150,000 PERIOD OF SUPPORT: September 1, 2012 through December 31, 2014 ELIGIBILITY: A partnership between a local government entity and a nonprofit cultural institution is required; additional partners are encouraged. FAQs: http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/OurTown/FAQ.html  PROGRAM INQUIRIES: Email ot@arts.gov to schedule a call with NEA staff. GRANTS.GOV QUESTIONS: Contact Grants.gov Help Desk at 800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov NEA staff will be conducting Our Town webinars on Wednesday, January 11 and Tuesday, February 7, 2012 to answer questions and walk applicants through this year's guidelines. Schedule and registration details will be posted on the Our Town guidelines webpage next week.  For more information on creative placemaking and to view the 51 Our Town grants awarded in 2011, visit http://www.arts.gov/national/ourtown/index.php.