Public Art & Performance Mini Grants for Artists in Massachusetts

The City of Salem’s Public Art Commission (PAC) has announced a Public Art & Performance Mini Grant program for 2025, offering funding for public art projects and performances. These grants are designed to support individual artists, performers, unaffiliated groups, and collaboratives based in Salem, Massachusetts. The deadline for applications is Friday, January 31, 2025, at noon, and proposals must be submitted via the online submission portal provided. Proposals will be reviewed at the PAC meeting on February 18, 2025, and funding decisions will be announced by the end of February. The mini-grants provide awards ranging from $500 to $2,500, with a total funding pool of $7,600 for this cycle. The PAC prioritizes projects that are free, open to the public, and take place on public property in Salem. Eligible projects include musical or theatrical performances, public art installations, workshops, and other community-focused art activities. Preference is given to projects that encourage interactivity and community engagement. All projects must be completed by June 30, 2025. To qualify, applicants must be based in Salem, defined as having a residential address in the city. The lead artist or applicant must also ensure that the proposed project aligns with the commission’s goals of enhancing the community’s identity, fostering creativity, and celebrating diversity. Selected projects will need to secure permissions to use public spaces, which the commission can assist with after awarding funding. Applications must include detailed project narratives, timelines, proposed budgets, and information about participating artists. Artists must also submit their resumes, examples of past work, and, if applicable, sketches of proposed visual or public art. Submissions must be in PDF or JPEG formats, with a limit of 10 document uploads. Projects will be evaluated based on eligibility, artistic merit, community impact, and the viability of the proposed logistics. Applications should demonstrate the artist’s prior experience, the project’s alignment with community goals, and its potential for interactivity and engagement with Salem’s residents and visitors. For further details, applicants can contact Julie Barry, Senior Planner for Arts & Culture, at the City of Salem Department of Planning & Community Development. Additional information, including other open calls for artists in Salem, is available on the city’s website.