Arts & Culture: Creative Placemaking is a grant from The Kresge Foundation that positions culture and creativity as drivers of more just and equitable communities, funding arts and cultural organizations working at the intersection of creative placemaking and community development in U.S. cities.

The Kresge Foundation deploys over million annually through grants, loans, and innovative tools, with its Arts & Culture program centering diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values. Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government agencies. Award amounts vary based on project scope and organizational capacity.

The Foundation funds primarily through invitation and does not accept unsolicited proposals; prospective applicants should monitor the Foundation's website for open funding opportunities.

Arts & Culture - Kresge Foundation About Us We’re a national foundation advancing equity and expanding opportunity in America’s cities. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Our Work Through grantmaking and social investing, we dismantle barriers and build pathways to justice.

Grants & Social Investments Grants & Social Investments Sub Grants & Social Investments We deploy $160M+ annually through grants, loans, and innovative tools to strengthen communities.

Grants & Social Investments Sub Current Funding Opportunities Our Story at 100 Promoting human progress since 1924, expanding equity and opportunity today Our Staff Our work is made possible by a staff of mission-driven professionals Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Central to how we operate and fund, we center DEI in all we do Careers Check for new openings and learn about working at The Kresge Foundation Board of Trustees Leaders who provide governance, expertise and support to our work Press Room Resources and information for commnunications professional American Cities Effective, inclusive community development in U.S. cities Arts & Culture Positioning culture and creativity as drivers of more just communities Detroit Expanding long-term, equitable opportunity in our hometown Education Addressing postsecondary attainment and closing equity gaps Environment Helping cities with equitable climate resilience strategies Health Building equity-focused systems of health to achieve well-being Human Services Increasing social-economic mobility for people with low incomes Social Investment Practice Unlocking capital for community development Strategic Learning, Research & Evaluation Building a culture of learning across the organization and support community learning priorities Initiatives Our time-bound funding programs can bring multiple Kresge teams together to co-create strategies Grants & Social Investments Grants Awarded A database of grants dating back to 2009 Social Investments Made A database of PRIs, guarantees and other investments Current Funding Opportunities All open funding opportunities are listed by program How to Apply Details on eligibility, FAQs, Fluxx guidance and more For Current Grantees FAQs for partners, communicating about your work and more We position culture and creativity as drivers of more just communities.

Arts & Culture Funding Opportunities About The Arts & Culture Program As a national program that supports place-based activities, our vision is that creativity is valued widely as an integral resource for healthy and sustainable places and for residents of color to live abundant and self-determined lives.

Our core beliefs include: Residents possess the imagination, wisdom, and lived experiences necessary to create enduring community solutions. Asset-based community development approaches that involve artists and creative practices offer the most significant potential for healthy, sustainable, and economically just outcomes.

Cross-sectoral strategies inclusive of creative practices and practitioners can contribute to shifting the narratives, systems and policies that support climate-resilient neighborhoods and the health and well-being of residents – especially those of color with low incomes.

These beliefs anchor our priorities for investing in creative strategies — in place, with people and through partnerships – that advance the pre-conditions for long-term change. This includes resident agency, narrative change and collective action. There are countless examples of how culture and creativity (and creative practitioners) have contributed to the civic, social and cultural infrastructure that enable long-term change.

They Reframe problems through different lenses and apply creative, place-based and human-centered processes that contribute to more equitable, healthy and sustainable solutions. They Restore the social fabric and support interpersonal engagement and trust, such as interactions with neighbors or informal community-building activities.

They Reimagine how the arts, community development and planning (and related) fields work harmoniously to promote more resilient communities and just practices.

Thompson: Preventing violence and improving community safety by promoting health, opportunity and trust Arts & Culture News & Views Kresge’s summer interns learn philanthropy is about more than cutting checks Two new staff join Kresge’s Arts & Culture, Investment teams New LOVE Building hub for social justice opens with fanfare in Detroit Looking back: Kresge’s 10-year investment in ArtPlace America All Arts & Culture News & Views Webinar: Role of culture in building community power Lessons from Smart Growth America’s Culture and Community Network: A Blueprint for Integrating Arts and Culture into Regional Planning One Nation/One Project’s No Place Like Home All Arts & Culture Resources We aim to fortify an enabling environment for the pre-conditions for enduring change through three interconnected approaches where local leaders and communities mobilize for change and creative practices are connected across sectors.

Advance Creative Strategies in Place We work to strengthen creative practices that advance equitable outcomes in neighborhoods. Invest in People Mobilizing for Change We work to support creative and community connectors as leaders. Strengthen Cross-Sector Partnerships We work to connect equitable practices across sectors.

Through these initiatives, we invested in learning communities for peer exchange and explored new approaches to supporting community-driven priorities. These initiatives are no longer active. BASED: Building and Supporting Equitable Development This national initiative advanced community development through arts and culture.

This cohort of five community-based organizations used arts and culture to reimagine justice in their cities. FreshLo: Fresh, Local & Equitable Funding neighborhood-scale projects that held promise for equitable food-oriented development. Funding & Eligibility Requirements The Arts & Culture Program positions culture and creativity as drivers of more just communities.

When available, grant opportunities are listed on the Current Funding Opportunities page. Arts & Culture Grants Made Arts & Culture Social Investments Made Arts & Culture Program Team Opportunity in America’s Cities Get the Kresge Newsletter Social Investment Practice