The Artists to Work grant program supports the creation and presentation of original, new, or in-process artistic work by practicing Phoenix artists. Awarded artists will be required to complete a public presentation inside city of Phoenix boundaries that primarily benefits Phoenix residents. Unlike other opportunities offered by the Phoenix Arts and Culture Department, for this grant, an application will be made in two stages. Those interested will first complete the Step 1 short application, which will be reviewed first for eligibility by staff and then against evaluation criteria by other practicing artists. From there, approximately 45 applicants will be invited to the second stage of the application process where they will respond to additional questions and supply support materials, which will then be reviewed and scored by panelists. Please read on to learn more about the process.​​

Unlike other opportunities offered by the Phoenix Arts and Culture Department, for this grant, an application will be made in two stages. Those interested will first complete the Step 1 short application, which will be reviewed first for eligibility by staff and then against evaluation criteria by other practicing artists. From there, approximately 45 applicants will be invited to the second stage of the application process where they will respond to additional questions and supply support materials, which will then be reviewed and scored by panelists. Please read on to learn more about the process.

This program is part of the funding that the Phoenix Arts and Culture Department received from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through Phoenix City Council.

Applying is a two-step process.

Step 1: Artist Background + Identity, Draft Proposal, and Work Samples
The form to submit the Step 1 application will be open from July 24, 2024, through August 18, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. (Arizona Time). Applicants can submit responses in text or video format for the Step 1 application.

Step 2: Narrative and Support Materials
Those applicants who have been selected to move forward in the application process will have from September 6, 2024, through September 22, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. (Arizona Time) to submit their application.

At the time of submission of Step 1, all applicants will be asked to declare one proposal category for their project. Each category has unique evaluation criteria, and applications will be evaluated by panelists using one of the lenses below.

Background and Proposal demonstrate (identify one primary focus):

Community-integration: The community is directly or indirectly involved in the development of applicant's creative work. Ethical community integration practices will be considered when evaluation is conducted.

Experimental: The applicant generates work that extends the boundaries of their art form in terms of materials, processes, techniques, and/or themes).

Commitment to artistic growth: Applicant demonstrates lifelong commitment to artistic growth and development.​

Applicants must be:

• City of Phoenix resident at both the time of Step 1 submission and award notification (November 2024). Evidence of residency must be provided at the time of Step 1
• 18 years or older by the end of September 2024
  
• A practicing artist who is currently generating original, new, or in-process artistic work
• Proposing a project that has art as the primary medium of the proposed project (literary, film, visual, dance/other performance, music, theater, interdisciplinary, etc.).

Applicants may not be:

• An immediate family member of Phoenix Arts and Culture Department staff, or a currently serving Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission member
• Applying on behalf of an artist team/collective, company, nonprofit, organization, fiscal sponsorship, or community group
• A current Artists to Work grantee (awarded in fall 2023)
  

Application and Support

July 24 – August 18 at 11:59 p.m.: Step 1 Application Opens via SurveyMonkey​
July 24 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.: WebEx Info session about eligibility and application process for Step 1 (*Staff to stay through 12:30 p.m. for any remaining questions.)
July 25 from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Sesión informativa en español: elegibilidad y proceso de solicitud del Paso 1 Eligibility review and selection (conducted by POAC staff)
August 3 from 10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: In-person workshop and panel at Burton Barr Central Library (Doors open at 9:30 a.m.): Register here 
August 8 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Taller y panel en persona, en Maryvale Community Center (Doors up at 5:30 p.m.): Reguistración aquí
August 19– 22: Eligibility review (conducted by Arts and Culture staff)
August 23 – September 3: Step 1 panel review
September 6: Selected applicants invited to submit full application (notified via email)
September 6 – 22 at 11:59 p.m.: Portal to submit full application is open (MARGO online grants portal)
September 11 time TBD: Webinar about full application submission (WebEx; registration required)

Panel Review and Notifications
September 24 – October 11: Individual and full panel review
October 16: Notifications sent to applicants

Panel Review and Notifications
October 23: You’ve Been Funded! What’s Next webinar session for awardees (WebEx)
November 14 – 28: Grants conditions reviewed and completed, and invoices processed
January 1 – December 31, 2025: Award term

Artists are awarded grants through a competitive process.

Step 1: Review

• Staff will review Step 1 application submissions checking first for eligibility.
• All Step 1 applications will then be reviewed by a group of conflict-free reviewers using a scoring guide (below). Reviewers will provide recommendations to Arts and Culture staff.
• Applications will then be considered through the dual lens of equity and geographic parity in accordance with Phoenix Arts and Culture’s commitment for the program. Approximately fifteen applicants per panel category (estimated 45) will be invited to complete a full application.

Step 1: Questions

1. Select the primary focus of your proposal:
• Community-integration
• Experimental
  
• Commitment to artistic growth
  
2. Select your primary artistic discipline/form
   
3. Tell us about your artistic background. Consider learning experiences and accomplishments (informal or formal education and training, residencies, cultural and creative participation, awards or grants, etc.) that formed you as an artist and contributed to the artist you are today. Be specific and include dates, if possible (300-word limit or 2-minute video)
4. Tell us about your identity and life as an artist. Consider touching on the following themes(300-word limit or 2-minute video):
   • artistic disciplines/forms (what forms do you practice?)
   • artistic vision and purpose (what inspires the creation of work?)
   • past and/or current ideas in your work
   • influences and guides (who/what influences your life today as an artist?)
5. Tell us about the project you would like to make happen using these grant funds. Make sure to explain how the project is connected to your primary focus and your artistic background and identity. This is a rough proposal. However, for applicants invited to complete the full application, the main idea of the draft project proposal must carry over into the full application.​ (300-word limit or 2-minute video)
6. Work samples. Please attach work samples that showcase your best work (i.e., artistic excellence) and are most representative of your current arts practice, and you believe are compelling.
   A. Work Samples - Example of Work Samples​
   B. Optional: Share additional information about the selection of these samples for context (150 word-limit or 1-minute video)

Step 2 Questions

A panel per discipline comprising conflict-free artists and arts workers will review all completed applications and ultimately select projects for funding based on the evaluation criteria shown below.

An application is considered complete if it has responded to all the narrative questions and has included the required attachments (artist resume, artist statement, and work samples). Project budget will not be scored by panelists but is required to be considered a complete application.

Step 2 scoring rubric (ADD LINK).

Applicants will be recommended for funding by the panel to complete and present new in-progress or completed work between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. After they are recommended for funding, they will need to complete the following:

• Register as a City of Phoenix vendor or confirm previous registration
• Attend a “You’ve Been Funded! What’s Next” new grantee meeting facilitated by Arts and Culture grants staff
• Sign a grants conditions form that agrees to the following:
  • Participate in a public presentation of in-process or completed grant-funded work within city of Phoenix boundaries by January 30, 2026, either:
    • Coordinated and sponsored by Phoenix Arts and Culture, or
    • Coordinated and sponsored by the awardee
  • To use Phoenix Arts and Culture logo when promoting public presentation of grant-funded work
• Payments are made in two installments: 1. Upon submission of the grants conditions and completion of vendor registration and 2. Completion of the public benefit event

Eligible Use of Grant Funds

• Direct project expenses (including research costs and awardee/subcontractor artist fees
• Supplies and materials
• Equipment/space rentals
• Insurance, licenses, permits
• Publicity/marketing
• Transportation
  
• Documentation
• Technology (non-equipment)

Ineligible Use of Grant Funds:

• Organizations
• Capital equipment
• Any division of local, state or federal government.
• Religious projects or projects within a larger religious or proselytizing event/organization
• Debt reduction
• Re-granting
• Lobbying expenses
• Expenses related to the construction of facilities
• Food and beverage for receptions and hospitality functions
• Fundraising projects
• Political projects
• Academic-related projects (e.g., theses, applied projects, etc.)
• Curation of other artists’ work that doesn’t heavily feature the applicant’s original work
• AI-generated art is not considered original work