Funding of up to $5,000 will be awarded per project for programming in Eugene’s downtown core
The City of Eugene’s Cultural Services division is now accepting applications for 2023 Downtown Program Fund grants. Up to $5,000 will be awarded per project to individuals or organizations who wish to produce their own quality programming in publicly accessible spaces within Eugene’s downtown core. Applications are open until noon, Feb. 6.
Through the Downtown Program Fund, the City seeks to activate outdoor spaces with cultural events and art installations. Funded programs draw people into the downtown area to promote economic vitality, support local artists and organizations and foster a sense of belonging and safety for historically marginalized or underrepresented communities. Funding can support any artistic or cultural discipline, including visual, dance, music, theatre, film/video and multidisciplinary fields. Culturally diverse programming is encouraged to generate empathy, understanding, dialogue, wonder and curiosity. Only individuals and organizations residing/headquartered in Lane County are eligible to apply.
The following selection criteria will be used to determine which applicants receive the fund:
- Programming quality: to what extent will programming draw people to downtown spaces and meet the goals of the Downtown Program Fund and Cultural Services mission?
- Applicant capacity: does the applicant demonstrate the capacity to produce the proposed programming and display excellence in planning?
- Long-term impacts: does the programming have the potential to contribute to long-term success for the applicant?
- Equity, inclusion and diversity: does the program provide access, opportunities and/or resources to marginalized communities in Lane County?
Events must occur between April 1 and Oct. 31 of this year.
A live online info session will be held from noon-1 p.m. Jan. 11 to answer questions and provide tips on navigating the application and budget. Visit the Downtown Program Fund application page for more details.
Cultural Services provides year-around programming to promote public art and cultural events throughout Eugene. The team utilizes responsible and catalytic leadership to support the public’s vision for a thriving arts and cultural sector that contributes to the community’s social and economic well-being.