Funding Programs

The City of Dubuque and the Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission are now accepting applications from eligible creatives through the Creative Empowerment subgrant program, a one-time limited funding opportunity made possible through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) via American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) resources. 

The City of Dubuque is serving as a Local Arts Agency (LAA) to subgrant $15,000 in federally awarded funds. The Creative Empowerment subgrant program is a one-time, restricted funding opportunity supporting individual creatives residing within Dubuque city limits in tangible public-facing arts-based projects that further their careers and deepen their community engagement in response to economic and community impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• ROUND 1 – Open for applications Wednesday, February 15 – Friday, March 24, 2023, for consideration of projects occurring between June 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024.
• ROUND 2 – Open for applications Friday, June 2 – Friday, July 7, 2023, for consideration of projects occurring between October 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024.

Learn more about the Creative Empowerment subgrant opportunity.

This program offers limited, unrestricted operating support to eligible arts and cultural non-profit organizations operating within Dubuque city limits that demonstrate a commitment to serving the community through access to arts, arts education, and cultural heritage experiences. The Operating Support program aims to increase the community's access to a wide range of inclusive and diverse arts and cultural experiences that support economic activity, empower community engagement, and cultivate an equitable community of choice. 

The FY 2024 Operating Support program is now accepting applications through Friday, April 28, 2023 for the July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024 funding period. Learn more about the Operating Support grant program here.

The Special Projects program cultivates unique and innovative public-facing creative arts and cultural experiences that prioritize community engagement and active partnership in which all parties may experience change and growth. Successful Special Projects proposals will integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices into the development and execution of the project and provide evidence that the project advances City goals and priorities.

The FY 2024 Special Projects program is now accepting applications through Friday, May 12, 2023 for projects that will take place within the July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024 funding period. Learn more about the Special Projects grant program here.

The City of Dubuque is pleased to announce the Arts Operating Recovery subgrant program, a one-time limited funding opportunity made possible through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) via American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) resources. The City of Dubuque is serving as a Local Arts Agency (LAA) to subgrant $435,000 in federally awarded funds. Funds will be distributed to support day-to-day operating costs of arts, arts education, arts activities, and/or artistic experiences facilitated by eligible nonprofit organizations operating within Dubuque city limits.

The Arts Operating Recovery subgrant program opportunity has closed. Learn more about the Arts Operating Recovery subgrant opportunity here.

Through this non-recurring program, the City of Dubuque regrants funds from the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) to support the work of eligible Dubuque non-profit organizations to empower and elevate Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) creativity and culture. The program seeks to provide funding that will result in public-facing arts and cultural programs and activities that aim to diversify representation, cultivate belonging, and create an equitable community.

The application window for the GARE Regrant program has passed. Learn more about the GARE Regranting program here.