Small Step Grant Program - Colorado Council on the Arts

The CO Council on the Arts announced a new “Small Steps” grant program that is intended to incorporate the arts into community and economic development. The purpose of this fast-turnaround $500 awards is planning, R&D, testing the waters on programs that could further this idea. For example, it could jump-start a marketing program among galleries wishing to draw visitors into their part of the county. Or it could help a neighborhood farmers market test the idea of adding local artisans to the weekly market. Or integrate the arts into healthcare in a local hospital.

The awards are first-come first-served, and the proposal process is simply a one-two page letter that addresses 3 CCA criteria:
Is its goal a community/economic development goal? Is it a step in a larger strategy? Does it bring stakeholders together in the planning process?

Recipients can’t be currently holding a CCA grant. Since this could fund something between now and June 30, people can still apply in March for something starting after July 1. For more information and guidelines, contact Maryo Gard Ewell at maryo@gard-sibley.org.