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Page 1 of 2 November 21, 2024 CALLING ALL ARTISTS: Public Art & Performance Mini Grants for Salem Creatives The City of Salem’s Public Art Commission (PAC) is thrilled to announce Public Art & Performance Mini Grants for Salem Artists! The PAC welcomes requests for funding for public art projects and performances taking place on public property from individual artists, performers, unaffiliated groups, and collaboratives based in Salem, MA. Application Deadline is Friday, January 31, 2025 at 12noon. Apply here: Program Overview: • Proposals will be reviewed in the February 18, 2025 Public Art Commission Meeting. • This is a ‘Mini-Grant’ funding opportunity for Salem based artists and unaffiliated artist groups and collaborations. • Grants will range from $500-$2,500. • Total available funding for this review cycle is $7,600. The amount of available funds fluctuates from year to year. Funding is renewed annually on July 1st. • Funding will be allocated to eligible high-quality projects at the discretion of the PAC towards qualifying proposals reviewed in this session until all available funds are exhausted. • Funding can be used for projects involving a group performance or artist team; however, the applicant/lead artist must be based in Salem, MA. Eligible Projects: • Applicants must be artists/performers based in Salem, MA. (We define being based in Salem as the lead applicant being an individual with a residential address in Salem, MA.) • Eligible projects must be completed by June 30, 2025. • Projects must be free and open to the public to attend/engage with. • All funded projects must take place in Salem, MA on Public Property such as inside City owned facilities or public parks. Assistance with permission to use these spaces can be arranged if the project is awarded. • Projects that encourage interactivity and community engagement are strongly desirable. • Eligible project types include but are not limited to: musical & theatrical performances, exhibitions, poetry/spoken word, performance art, art happenings, temporary or permanent public art installations, workshops, documentation of public art projects/installations/performances, etc. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 2 Evaluation Criteria: • Does the project meet all of the basic eligibility requirements? • Does the artist have demonstrated success with a similar project and/or at least one year of experience working in the proposed media? • Does the project demonstrate high artistic quality and merit? • Is the vision and logistics plan for the project clearly articulated and viable? • Does the project speak to and serve the Salem community? • Does the project lend itself to interactivity and/or community engagement? Submission Instructions: All proposals must be submitted via our online submission portal here: Application Deadline is Friday, January 31, 2025 at 12noon. Applications received after that time will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed in the February 18, 2025 Public Art Commission Meeting. Decisions will be announced before the end of February 2025. Submission Requirements: Please have the following ready when completing your application: • Names of All Participating Artists • Proposed possible public location(s) for the project • Project Narrative/Description (750 character limit) • Proposed project dates and timeline. • Basic budget for the project showing income and expenses with mini-grant ask amount in bold. • Overview of what, if any, additional, non-monetary support the project would need from the City. • Resume(s) or CV(s) for key artist(s)* • 5-10 Examples of Relevant of Past Work* • Rough Sketch of proposed work, if available for visual/public art proposals* *PDF and JEPG File Formats required for uploads. Maximum of 10 document uploads are allowed. About the Salem Public Art Commission The Salem Public Art Commission (PAC) is committed to enriching and enlivening the urban environment through innovative and transformative works of art in all media and modalities. With a focus on local artists, especially those historically underrepresented, and a global perspective of the art scene, PAC seeks to foster greater community awareness of and interaction with the arts, enhance the scope of Salem’s public art collection, and celebrate diversity in all its forms among citizens and visitors of Salem’s alike. The PAC feels Public Art in Salem should contribute to the community’s identity as the cultural hub of the North Shore and a center for creativity and enhance the quality of Salem’s built environment. Our goal is to nurture diversity & creativity; foster a sense of community pride & belonging; and enhance the quality of life for all. Learn more at To view other City of Salem Calls for Artists currently open visit: FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Julie Barry, Senior Planner for Arts & Culture City of Salem I Department of Planning & Community Development 98 Washington St., 2nd Floor I Salem, MA 01970 [PHONE REDACTED] ext. 42506 I [EMAIL REDACTED]