Purpose 

The purpose of the Northern Kentucky (NKY) Creative Placemaking Grant is to encourage a breadth of programming that will amplify arts and cultural heritage projects in Northern Kentucky that support the goals of ArtsWave’s Blueprint for Collective Action (Appendix A) and Creative Placemaking Values (Appendix B). This grant is made possible through a partnership between ArtsWave and meetNKY (Northern Kentucky CVB) to leverage the arts to drive economic vitality, social vibrancy, and a connected community for all. NKY Creative Placemaking Grant projects must occur between June 1, 2026, and May 31, 2027. Note: the project cannot be completed prior grant award notification in May 2026.           

Who May Apply 

ArtsWave believes that strong arts create strong communities and actively seeks to promote access, equity, and inclusiveness in its grantmaking. To be eligible for the FY2026 NKY Creative Placemaking Grant, an organization must meet all the following requirements: 

• Have a 501(c)3 tax status or be non-profit in nature with an established fiscal agent. 
• Have a primary mission to provide arts or cultural heritage programs or activities in areas directly concerned with creative placemaking to advance tourism, visitation, neighborhood vitality; Capital and general operating support grants are not eligible. 
• Based in the Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN MSA, which includes the following counties: Brown, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren Counties in Ohio; Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, and Pendleton Counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn, Franklin, and Ohio Counties in Indiana. 
• Has not received funding for the proposed project through another ArtsWave project grant. * 
• Embody ArtsWave’s commitment to access, equity, and inclusiveness. 

 *Proposed projects that have already been funded through the Catalyzing Impact, ArtsWave Pride, Young Professionals, Circle’s African American Arts grant programs or Project Grants for Black and Brown Artists are not eligible for funding. A recipient of any of those grant programs is still eligible to apply if they meet all the requirements above and proposes a different project for the NKY Creative Placemaking grant. 

 *Sustaining Impact grantees are eligible to apply if they meet all requirements above and propose a different project that is new or differentiated from Sustaining Impact funding.       ArtsWave will not award grant support to organizations that, in their constitution, bylaws, or practices, discriminate against a person or group because of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religious belief. In doing so, we seek to promote respect for all people.      

NOTE: 

Applicants new to ArtsWave are highly encouraged to schedule an introductory virtual meeting or phone call prior to the application deadline. Please contact Rachael Parker at rachael.parker@artswave.org to schedule a time. Returning applicants are also encouraged to reach out with any questions they may have related to their project or application. All applicants will be given the opportunity to submit their applications by a pre-deadline, specified date as a review and editing resource.  

An organization may be awarded funding for two consecutive years and then be required to take one (1) year off before applying for the NKY Creative Placemaking Grant again.    

Eligible Requests 

The NKY Creative Placemaking Grant provides funding for arts or cultural heritage projects that demonstrate impact in one or more of the five goals of ArtsWave’s Blueprint for Collective Action and project alignment with Creative Placemaking Values.       

A project is defined as a specific, connected set of activities with a start date, end date, and explicit goals and objectives (see Appendix C for more application definitions). Projects with multiple components and/or event dates must show a cohesive theme that ties the entire project together.      

Receiving a NKY Creative Placemaking grant is a competitive process. Eligible project requests may include a new project or an existing project that demonstrates an expansion of impact. Organizations proposing existing projects should be prepared to demonstrate how the proposed work is expanding impact. Examples may include: 

• serving a new or expanded geography (e.g., neighborhood, municipality, or county); 
• serving a new or expanded audience (e.g., age or culturally specific); or  
• deepening impact within an existing project (e.g., expanded themes, content, or timeframe) 

  NKY Creative Placemaking grants cannot be requested for any of the following: 

• General operating support 
• Capital  
• Fundraisers 
• Re-granting 
• Advancing or inhibiting a religious ideology 
• Advocacy of specific political causes or candidates 

ArtsWave will not award grant support to organizations that, in their constitution, bylaws, or practices, discriminate against a person or group because of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religious belief. In doing so, we seek to promote respect for all people.      Organizations may only submit one application per deadline. Organizations may only receive one NKY Creative Placemaking Grant in a single fiscal year. 

Grant Amounts 

Grant awards will be made up to $10,000 or 50% of the total expenses for the proposed project and may be funded partially or in full. Please note in the application if you cannot complete your project with partial funding.     

Match Requirements 

Grants received through the Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking Grant require a match through which applicants are expected to leverage ArtsWave funds to secure support from outside sources. This grant program requires a 1:1 match by the applicant. Up to 50% of your organization’s matching dollars can come from in-kind contributions. Matching funds do not need to be secured at the time of application, but documentation of the source(s) of matching funds will be required in the final report. For purposes of determining the value, volunteer time should be calculated at $33.49 per hour (Independent Sector, 2026).         

Application Instructions 

All application materials must be submitted via Submittable, ArtsWave’s online grantmaking system. We strongly recommend that you begin your online application well before the due date to familiarize yourself with the online grantmaking system and to address any technical concerns. While completing your application, remember these tips:  

• Be brief, clear and direct, focusing on what is most important.  
• Review panelists may have little or no prior knowledge of your organization. Create a stronger application by:  
• not assuming reviewers have extensive knowledge of all artistic disciplines; 
• explaining acronyms; and 
• explaining the characteristics of your community or audience as needed. 
• We recommend that you prepare your responses offline in a word processing program and then copy and paste them into the appropriate sections of the online application. 
• Limit the use of bullets and other formatting in text fields. 
• Add Impact@ArtsWave.org to your safe senders list to ensure that you receive all communications from the online grantmaking system. 
• Use one of the following compatible browsers: Chrome® v.22+, Firefox® version v.27+, Internet Explorer® v.8-10 (if enabled), Internet Explorer v.11, Safari® v.7+, or Edge®. 

  The application for the FY2026 NKY Creative Placemaking Grant can be accessed using the following link: https://artswave.submittable.com/submit/      The application consists of the following sections (*delineates a field required to submit):    

     A. Grant Applicant Information 

• Organization name and legal address* 
• If 501(c) 3 
• Organization EIN * 
• If not 501(c)3 
• Describe the non-profit status of your organization, including your organization's relationship with an established fiscal agent. (150-word limit)* 
• Provide your organization’s contract or letter agreement with your fiscal agent * 
• Fiscal Agent’s legal street address 
• Fiscal Agent’s EIN* 

    B. Organization Information 

• Organization County/Phone/Website/Neighborhood served* 
• Chief Professional Officer Contact Information* 
• Grant Contact Information (if applicable) 
• Type of Organization* 
• Provide a brief description of your organization and the type of programming you provide. (150-word limit)* 
• Describe your organization's audience and the communities you serve. Please include demographic information such as your audience age, communities--geographic, language, ethnicity, etc. (150-word limit)* 
• Has your organization received an ArtsWave grant since 2020? If yes, please list grant(s) and fiscal year(s). 
• Number of Full-Time, Part-Time, Contract, and Unpaid staff members and Number of Board members 

      C. Details of Request 

• Project title* 
• Select one Blueprint Goal to which your proposed project most closely aligns.*   
• Select which of the three Creative Placemaking Values you will address in your project.* 
• Provide a summary description of the proposed project that will be used for announcements and other marketing summaries. * 
• Provide the physical address of where the proposed project will be completed, held, or performed. (100-word limit; your response should include a street address, city, state, zip)* 
• Provide a more detailed description of the proposed project. Be sure to clarify how the project relates to the Blueprint goal above and the defined criteria for this grant. (500-word limit)* 
• Please describe how the proposed project will add to the overall artistic and cultural vibrancy of Northern Kentucky? (500-word limit)*  
• Estimated total participation (Adults and/or Youth)* 
• Project request type* 
• If “existing project” - Description of project expansion (150-word limit) 
• Anticipated project start date and end date* 
• Provide a proposed timeline for project implementation.* 
• Who are the artists involved with this project? Briefly describe their qualifications and background. (150-word limit) 
• Please list any organizations you will collaborate with for this project and briefly describe the nature of the collaboration. (150-word limit) 
• What are the project's objectives and intended outcomes? What is the change/impact you wish this project to have? These objectives and intended outcomes should be specific, measurable, and aligned to the selected Blueprint goal and Creative Placemaking Value. (500-word limit)* 
• How will outcomes be measured and who (e.g. staff, consultant, etc.) will measure them? (250-word limit)* 
• Select grant resource opportunities taken advantage of.* 
• Impact Team feedback opportunity if application submitted by Friday, March 20, 2026* 
• Please upload an example of your organization's work that illustrates your capacity to accomplish the proposed project. Partnership letters of support are strongly encouraged. (attachment)*  

       D. Financials 

• Annual operating budget* 
• Total project budget* 
• Requested grant amount* 
• How will the grant funds be used? (150-word limit)* 
• Can this project still be completed if award is for partial funding?* 
• Most recent annual financial statement (attachment)*  
• Complete NKY Creative Placemaking Grant Budget Form* 
• Where do you anticipate receiving the match for your grant from?* 
• Any additional budgetary notations. (150-word limit) 
• Please attach a high-resolution organization logo (attachment)* 

      E. Statement of Assurances – An authorizing official will certify that s/he is authorized to submit the application on behalf of the organization and that the information submitted in the application is true and correct to the best of his/her knowledge. 

All application materials must be submitted through the online grantmaking system by 5:00 pm EST on Friday, April 3, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted. 

Grant Overview Session 

We welcome you to join ArtsWave as we host a virtual overview webinar for all applicants. Please register to learn more about the NKY Creative Placemaking Grant Guidelines, the application process, and any questions you might have about the program.  

Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Virtual (Zoom) Noon – 1 p.m.  

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fy2026-artswave-northern-kentucky-creative-placemaking-grant-overview-tickets-1982298949520?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true 

This webinar session will be recorded and made available on ArtsWave’s website. 

Grant Writing Workshops 

ArtsWave will host three online Grant Writing Workshop webinars as a free resource in conjunction with this grant. 

The General Grant Writing Workshop webinar will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at noon. For details and to register, please visit:  

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fy26-artswave-northern-kentucky-creative-placemaking-grant-writing-workshop-tickets-1982300401864?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true 

The Goal Setting and Assessment Workshop webinar will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 1 pm. For details and to register, please visit: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fy26-artswave-nky-creative-placemaking-grant-workshop-goal-setting-asses-tickets-1982301268456?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true 

The Budgets Grant Writing Workshop webinar will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at noon. For details and to register, please visit:  

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fy26-artswave-nky-creative-placemaking-grant-workshop-finances-budgets-tickets-1982306069817?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true 

 Other Grant Resources 

If you would like to receive feedback on your application draft, complete the application in Submittable, and click SUBMIT by Friday, March 20, 2026 before 5 PM EST. After we have reviewed your application, you will receive an email through Submittable opening your application to edit that feedback. You must edit and resubmit by the deadline Friday, Apil 3, 2026, before 5 PM EST. 

Determination of Grant Amount 

All applications will be reviewed by a panel consisting of community volunteers and ArtsWave staff. Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:      

• The organization has the capacity to contribute to creative placemaking goals in Northern Kentucky.   
• The proposed project is aligned with ArtsWave's Blueprint for Collective Action; 
• The project can be achieved in the proposed timeline; or, should gatherings be limited in the coming months or weather-dependent, that there is an alternate timeline or contingency plan; 
• The project objectives and intended outcomes are clear and measurable; and 
• The proposed project budget is reasonable and meets matching funding requirements. 

 Grant Requirements 

Upon notification of award, grant recipients must submit a grant acceptance form. A single grant payment will be issued once the grant acceptance form has been received. 

Along with the award notification, grantees will receive the FY2026 NKY Creative Placemaking Grantee Handbook, which will outline the grantee expectations and requirements set by ArtsWave for NKY Creative Placemaking grantees in FY2026. By accepting funding, an organization agrees to adhere to the grant recipient guidelines outlined in the handbook, including all of the Terms and Conditions of the federal portion of their award. 

A final report will be due after the project’s completion, but no later than Wednesday, March 31, 2027, or prior to applying for another NKY Creative Placemaking grant. Applicants are ineligible to apply for funding if a previous final report is outstanding. An applicant may not have two NKY Creative Placemaking grants open at the same time. 

Key Dates 

 Virtual Grant Overview Session: March 3, 2026

Virtual Grant Writing Workshops: March 4, 5, 6

Application Deadline: April 3, 2026

Funding Decision: May 14, 2026

Final Report Due: March 31, 2027

* application closes at 5 PM EST on the deadline 

Contact ArtsWave 

Additional application questions may be directed to Rachael Parker at rachael.parker@artswave.org

Need to bring some entertainment to an event or a creative break during a long meeting? Schedule a performance from one of the Cincinnati region's top artists!
Performances can range from an evening of live, in-person entertainment to a quick 5-10 minute virtual drop-in. All art forms are available to fit you and your team. Some examples include...

• At a retirement party, the lyrics to a popular song are rewritten about the person retiring, then sung by a professional who pops in to the meeting (virtually or in-person) to share in the fun.
• A company has someone in leadership who loves classical music, so to surprise that person, an instrumentalist visits the office or joins a call to perform a piece.
• A jazz band provides ambient music for a lunch event.
• A local actor performs a stirring monologue to get the team ready for a major project that's about to begin.

For a list of available artists, check out the Artist Roster.

The rate for each 5-10 minute virtual performance is $125, with most of that fee going directly to the artist. The suggested rates for live, in-person performances are as follows:

• Soloists: $150/hour
• Duos: $300/hour
• Trios: $375/hour
• Quartet+: $125 per performer/hour

 
* Please note, a $25 processing fee will be added to all in-person performances. Rates are subject to change based on artist/ availability. 

ArtsWave Pride Mural

Request for Qualifications- Now Accepting Artist Applications

ArtsWave Pride is a group that welcomes and connects LGBTQIA+ individuals and Allies.  

ArtsWave Pride Grant Program 

In 2018, ArtsWave created the Pride Grant Program, an initiative from the ArtsWave Pride Committee, funded by a portion of the contributions made by Pride members to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. This specialized grant is awarded to arts organizations that create programming specifically geared towards the LGBTQIA+ community. 

ArtsWave Pride Steering Committee 

The ArtsWave Pride Steering Committee works to raise money for the ArtsWave Community Campaign and connects LGBTQIA individuals and Allies to the arts community through engaging arts experiences.  

ArtsWave funding decisions are guided by the Blueprint for Collective Action, which helps to build a more vibrant regional economy and connected community through the arts. The Blueprint identifies five objective areas that reflect the resources and assets of the arts community, with the broader needs of the community.  

1. Put Cincy on the map, attracting employees, new businesses and tourists to our region. 

2. Deepen roots in our region, retaining employees and residents, including new college grads. 

3. Bridge cultural divides, making our region more inclusive, diverse, equitable and respectful of all. 

4. Enliven neighborhoods, improving everyone's quality of life. 

5. Fuel creativity and learning, preparing kids to be productive citizens and future employees, and live creative lives. 

This project resonates with Deepen Roots in the Region, Bridge Cultural Divides, and Enliven Neighborhoods. 

About ArtsWave 

ArtsWave, the local nonprofit arts agency serving the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region, is the engine for the arts. Its roots stem back to the late 1920s when the Cincinnati Taft family provided an initial investment matched by community support. In the late 1940s, it established the first United Arts Fund in the nation and, in the mid-1970s, the first organization to initiate workplace giving for the arts. ArtsWave continues to innovate while leading, as illustrated by its No. 1 rank nationally in community arts fundraising, coordination of a sector-wide Blueprint for Collective Action, piloting of new technologies to maximize arts engagement and development of resources for the arts. Each year, ArtsWave raises millions of dollars from tens of thousands of donors — corporations, employees, foundations, residents and others — to support more than 150 arts organizations, projects and artists. In 2024, ArtsWave raised a record $12.5 million through its yearly campaign from individuals, businesses and foundations to further the region’s strategic growth goals.  

ArtsWave Pride Mural 

Project Overview 

ArtsWave Pride is seeking an artist or artist team for the commission of a Pride mural in Covington, Ky. The mural will be located along the West elevation, backside of the building, of Madison Design. This first-of-its-kind project for ArtsWave Pride seeks to increase visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community in Northern Kentucky with a mural that celebrates the spirit of Pride.  

The City of Covington was one of the first cities in Kentucky and the first in Northern Kentucky to pass an LGBTQ Fairness Ordinance in 2003, prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Currently, 24 communities in Kentucky have enacted a Fairness Ordinance, with nearly half located in Northern Kentucky. As the Northern gateway to the Commonwealth, LGBTQIA+ residents and visitors will feel, know, and see that “y’all means all.”  

The completed mural should be a celebration of Pride through the lens of the chosen artist. The design may be a literal or interpretive take on the theme. If human forms are included in the design, diversity of race, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, body sizes, and abilities must be included.  

There are currently no Pride murals in Northern Kentucky, and as the region’s primary funder of the arts, it is only fitting that ArtsWave/ArtsWave Pride takes the lead in commissioning this new piece of public art. The goals for this mural are:  

• To enhance the vibrancy of Covington through creative placemaking efforts that promote the history, arts, and inclusivity of the community.  
• To provide economic opportunities for local and regional artists.   
• To inspire, motivate, and instill pride in residents by creating a celebratory piece of public art.  

Artist and artist teams are welcome to express interest in completing the mural. This is a qualifications-based selection process; applicants will develop a preliminary concept, and will be selected based on their concept, experience, artistry, alignment with the program’s goals, and demonstrated interest. 

The selection committee will select finalists with consideration of their entire portfolio of work. We welcome applications from seasoned muralists, local artists, and national and international artists.  

During the project, the artist will be asked to give their permission to be filmed and participate in interviews and related project development, as well as to document the mural creation process themselves. 

Mural Site Location and Specification 

515 Madison Ave. is a three-story Italianate commercial building. The brick building is a part of Covington’s Downtown Commercial historic district. 515 Madison has an unpainted brick exterior; as such, the mural is not permitted to be painted on the facade. An alternative installation method, such as marouflage (adhering a painted canvas to a facade) or aluminum composite panels, must be used.  

The building’s utilities enter the building halfway up the chosen facade. While not a requirement for the final design, incorporating this unavoidable detail into the final design is desired.  

The wall will be approximately 200 square feet. A lift will be necessary to access the upper areas of the exterior wall.  

Selection Process  

ArtsWave Pride is seeking an artist or artist team for this project, with preference given to Kentucky or Ohio based artists or artist teams.    

The ArtsWave Pride committee, along with stakeholders at Madison Design, will serve as the preliminary selection committee to review proposals and select three finalists.  

The three finalists will be reviewed by the ArtsWave Pride committee, Madison Design stakeholders, and the donors whose gifts made this project a reality. The selection committee will convene to determine the chosen artist & design.  

Selection Criteria 

The final artist/artist teams will be selected based on the following criteria, as evidenced in application materials and conversations with listed references: 

• Artistic accomplishment as demonstrated by images of previously completed      artwork  
• Alignment of preliminary design to the project scope 
• Technical competence  and comparable scale of past works.  
• Demonstrated ability to complete projects on time and within budget.  
• Professional references who can confirm the artist’s skills and professionalism 

Key Dates 

March 25 – Application Opens 

April 2- Virtual Webinar Guidelines and Application Overview 

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985913696325?aff=oddtdtcreator

April 25* - Application Closes 

First week of May – Internal Review  

Second week of May- Proposal Review & Selection Event 

End of May– Notifications to Applicants

*Application closes at 5pm on the deadline date 

Budget 

The stipend for the mural is $12,500. Artists will receive half of the stipend after the contract has been signed. The remaining balance of the stipend will be paid upon completion of the project. 

The artist will be responsible for travel costs, materials, including paint and installation equipment, and personal liability insurance.  Artists will be expected to use high-quality exterior paint and seals to ensure the longevity and sustainability of the murals and to protect the work from graffiti.  

Application Instructions

All application materials must be submitted via Submittable, ArtsWave’s online grantmaking system. We strongly recommend that you begin your online application well before the due date to familiarize yourself with the online system and to address any technical concerns. While completing your application, remember these tips: 

· Be brief, clear and direct, focusing on what is most important. 

· We recommend that you prepare your responses offline in a word processing program and then copy and paste them into the appropriate sections of the online application.

· Limit the use of bullets and other formatting in text fields.

· Add Impact@ArtsWave.org to your safe senders list to ensure that you receive all communications from the online grantmaking system.

· Use one of the following compatible browsers: Chrome® v.22+, Firefox® version v.27+, Internet Explorer® v.8-10 (if enabled), Internet Explorer v.11, Safari® v.7+, or Edge®.

The application for the ArtsWave Pride Mural can be accessed using the following link: https://artswave.submittable.com/submit/ 

Application 

Applications will run through Submittable. 

· First name and last name (artist moniker, include in parenthesis)

· Email address

· Phone number

· Address

· Professional website

· Social media channel (optional)

· Personal Statement (no more than 1,000 words)

· Experience (no more than 1,000 words

· Project idea: Written description (required) and sketch (optional) of your vision for this project (1,000 words and up to 5 visual images)

· Preliminary Budget (template provided)

· Prior work samples: Up to 10 and no less than 5 visual images of related art and design projects you have completed, named and numbered to match an annotated image list – Name, Year Completed, Location, and a Brief Project Description. Do not use images created with the use of generative artificial intelligence programs such as Midjourney or Picasso (100 words or less). 

· References: Three references from previous projects with current contact information, with their relationship with the artist noted.  

· Insurance: Artist must be able to provide proof of insurance in the form of a Certificate of Insurance in the amount of $500,000 for comprehensive liability/bodily injury and property damage. If insurance will be obtained before the start of the project, please indicate those plans. 

Contact ArtsWave

Please E-mail Nick Wade at nick.wade@artswave.org for any question regarding this Mural Application.