The Public Art Matching Grant Program is offered by the Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) in Iowa City. The purpose of this grant program is to foster creativity, enhance public access to the arts, and provide funding to support visual, audio, and performance-based public art projects. The program is intended to strengthen the presence of public art throughout Iowa City by encouraging collaborative, innovative, and community-centered projects.

The funding provided through this program is a 50/50 matching grant, meaning applicants must secure matching funds equal to the amount requested from the grant. The maximum grant award is $4,000, which requires a total project cost of at least $8,000, while the minimum grant award is $500, requiring a total project cost of at least $1,000. Eligible expenses for the grant include materials and supplies necessary for creating the artwork, wages or stipends for artists and performers, and contract labor for installation and site preparation. Eligible matching funds can include non-City grants, donations, personal contributions, and in-kind services or supplies.

To be eligible, projects must be located within Iowa City and must be freely accessible and viewable by the public. Eligible applicants include organizations, schools, artists, businesses, and individuals. Projects must be completed within the 2025 calendar year. Ineligible proposals and expenses include regular programming events, projects not primarily focused on the arts, projects intended to influence public policy or evangelize a belief, projects advertising or promoting a for-profit business, projects charging admission, fees for site acquisition (such as permits or land purchases), food and beverage expenses, and fundraising-focused events.

Applications must be submitted through the online application form no later than Friday, March 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Applicants are encouraged to submit in advance to avoid technical issues. Late applications will not be considered. Applicants needing disability-related accommodations to complete the application may contact Neighborhood Outreach & Engagement Specialist T’Shailyn Harrington at tharrington@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5093 for assistance.

Projects will be evaluated based on criteria detailed in the 2025 Public Art Matching Grant Scoring Rubric. Additional resources for applicants include a set of Frequently Asked Questions and an on-demand informational session to guide them through the application process. This ensures applicants are well-informed about the grant’s goals, requirements, and evaluation standards before applying.