The Dubuque City Council approved a recommendation from the City’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission to award $10,000 in National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Local Arts Agency American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds via Round 2 of the Creative Empowerment subgrant program to five local creatives in support of elevating their creative pursuits and efforts to enhance the vitality of the arts in Dubuque.

Round 2 invited Dubuque-based practicing creatives that met all eligibility requirements to apply for consideration of projects occurring October 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024. No match was required and requests were limited to $500 – $2,000. This one-time, restricted funding opportunity supports individual creatives in producing public-facing, tangible, arts-based projects. Such projects are intended to strategically advance their career while deepening their community connections through meaningful public programs and activities with measurable impact.

Seven eligible creatives presented public-facing tangible arts-based projects collectively requesting $14,000 in support.

Funds are restricted to direct support costs associated with specific activities or work such as performances, presentations, exhibitions, training, research, and/or creation of artwork with tangible outcomes and were requested as follows:

• 24.64% for artist’s time
• 27.96% for professional services
• 17.59% for materials/supplies
• 19.45% for production costs
• 0.23% for health and safety supplies
• 10.13% for marketing and promotion

Creatives and projects to receive funding in Round 2, listed in alphabetical order, include:

• Ali Levasseur for “Supination and Pronation: Visual Arts Exhibit” – $2,000
• Dan Aldeman for “SPACE + TIME = THE MOMENT” – $2,000
• James Riley for “Songwriting: Inspiration, Recording and Performing” – $2,000
• Marcus Washington for “Making Magic with Marley” – $2,000
• Sunil Malapati for “Shakespeare’s Shrew through Brecht” – $2,000

All eligible applications were reviewed and scored by volunteer reviewers with knowledge of the arts, actively participating in the arts, and possessing professional experience in fields such as nonprofit, business, or medicine. Scoring and a funding scenario were presented to the City’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission, resulting in a funding recommendation approved by City Council.

A reallocation of NEA-ARPA funds resulted in an increase of total funds awarded over both program rounds to $29,881 from $15,000, directing $19,881 to 10 creatives in Round 1 and $10,000 to five creatives in Round 2.

The Creative Empowerment subgrant program is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) resources designed to restore the local community’s cultural infrastructure, benefitting arts workers, artists, and audiences from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To learn more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.