Grant Opportunities

Grant Program Overview

The Mount Vernon Area Arts Council (MVAAC) established its grant program to encourage and support arts initiatives that benefit the Mount Vernon-Lisbon area. All funded projects must serve these communities and align with MVAAC's mission of promoting artistic, educational, and cultural opportunities.

To be considered for funding, applicants must submit the current grant application form and meet all applicable eligibility and submission requirements. Applications are typically reviewed upon receipt by the MVAAC Grants and Scholarship Committee, which may request additional information or supporting documentation as part of its evaluation process. Applications recommended for funding are then presented to the Council for final consideration at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

The Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month, and visitors are welcome. For meeting details, please contact MVartcouncil@gmail.com.

Applicants should allow 60 to 90 days for the review process. Notification of the Council's decision, whether approved or denied, will be provided by email.

Special Grant Programs

From time to time, MVAAC may establish special, targeted, or donor-directed grant programs to address specific community needs, opportunities, or funding priorities. These programs may have eligibility requirements, funding limits, application procedures, review criteria, timelines, or reporting requirements that differ from those described on this page. When such programs are offered, the specific guidelines published for that program will take precedence over the general grant policies outlined here.

Grant Details

The maximum grant award is $1,000. Most grants funded by the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council are $500 or less.

Exceptions to the $1,000 limit may be considered for projects that provide a significant and lasting public benefit, such as public sculptures, murals on highly visible community structures, or other major arts initiatives. Exceptions may also be granted when a donor has designated funds for a specific purpose consistent with the proposed project.

Eligible Expenses

Grant funds may be used for:

• Materials and supplies necessary for the creation or presentation of artwork, performances, or arts programs

• Artist and performer fees, stipends, and related expenses

• Contract labor for installation, preparation, fabrication, or other project-related work

• Transportation, registration fees, supplies, and other costs associated with arts education projects

Recipient Requirements

Grant recipients shall:

• Acknowledge MVAAC in project/program promotional materials, programs, announcements, etc. with credit line and logo, if applicable.

• Document project with:

  • digital photographs

  • project summary (on form provided)

  • copies of printed materials with MVAAC logo/credit line

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, a project must benefit the Mount Vernon-Lisbon community and support one or more of the purposes outlined in the MVAAC Bylaws:

• Promote and support the arts

• Increase access to arts resources through educational programs, activities, and events

• Develop and maintain quality artistic programs and opportunities

• Serve the citizens of Mount Vernon-Lisbon by collaborating with schools, colleges, community organizations, and other public service agencies to advance the arts

In addition, projects must:

• Be free, accessible, and viewable by the public.

• Provide a clear public benefit and not directly generate profit, financial gain, or operating support for an individual, business, nonprofit organization, or other entity.

• Involve visual, literary, musical, theatrical, dance, multimedia, or other arts-based projects or programs.

• Be installed, completed, or substantially implemented within 90 days of grant approval unless an extension is approved by the Council.

Funding Priorities

When evaluating applications, the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council gives priority to projects that:

• Provide artistic, educational, and/or cultural benefits that address needs or opportunities not currently being met in the Mount Vernon-Lisbon area.

• Are free, accessible, and available to a broad segment of the community.

• Demonstrate a clear public benefit and are not intended to generate profit, financial gain, organizational growth, or operating support for any individual, business, nonprofit organization, or other entity.

• Leverage additional resources through cash contributions, in-kind support, volunteer participation, partnerships, or other forms of matching support. While matching funds are not required, they strengthen an application.

• Expand opportunities for community engagement with the arts and encourage broad public participation.

• Have not received MVAAC grant funding within the previous 12 months.