Boise Arts & History Grant (Annual Projects)

Boise Arts & History Grant (Annual Projects) is sponsored by City of Boise Department of Arts & History. Annual arts & history project grants for individuals and organizations whose projects benefit Boise residents.

Boise Visual Chronicle (BVC) A brief overview of the settlement, structure and naming of our city. From the valley's Indigenous peoples, to early settlers and modern-day residents, learn more about the people who have shaped Boise. Explore Boise's historic sites, cultural hotspots and unique natural setting.

Learn more about the history of municipal government in Idaho's capital city.

Browse Digital Collection City Council Meeting Minutes Guide to the Archives and Finding Aids Saving places of cultural significance, that shaped Boise - past and present The Erma Hayman House represents the history of the River District and is now home to exhibits dedicated to cultural education The James Castle House was the home and work place of the titular artist, and now home to the James Castle Residency Immerse yourself in our rich cultural community at Cultural Site events Cultural Ambassador Program Supports the cultural and creative community, acting as Boise's honorary representative to the world, engaging international audiences through public expression of culture We are intentional with our investments, to support sustain and grow a thriving cultural scene in Boise Boise Airport Wall Surface 3D Public Art Boise City Writer-in-Residence James Castle House Residencies Mayor's Awards for Excellence in Arts & History Guide to Applying for Grants Other Grant Opportunities Learn more about Boise City Department of Arts & History Arts & History Commission The advisory body for the department and appointed by the Mayor 2026 Applications Now Closed The purpose of the Annual Grant Program is to help fund meaningful creative projects and programs for Boise residents which supports the Department of Arts & History's (A&H) mission to cultivate a distinct sense of place which reflects Boise's rich past, diverse communities, and unique natural setting by creating opportunities that nurture and sustain Boise's creative economy.

We envision the program helping to bring people together and build positive relationships that help create A City for Everyone . The program operates on a yearly cycle by fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) and offers awards between $1,000 and $5,000 (in $500 increments) with funding awarded reaching $150,000 annually to support people in established and emerging cultural fields with projects designed to benefit the community.

Timeline and Review Process The 2026 Annual Grants Application is now closed. The Department of Arts & History uses the AmpliFund platform (previously ZoomGrants) for Grant applications. Need help with creating an account or have other AmpliFund questions?

Check out these resources: To be considered for funding through the A&H grant program, proposals must: Be completed by an individual, as a representative of an organization, or as a representative of a nonprofit Friends group associated with a government agency.

While individuals may apply, this grant does not fund professional development or creation of individual work without a public component (that is, having the work accessible for free or low cost to the public). Directly benefit residents living within Boise City Limits. If the project involves an event, the venue must be located within Boise City Limits .

Meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards regarding physical accessibility to project venues. Comply with the Department of Arts & History Equal Opportunity Statement: Boise City Department of Arts & History does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or disability.

Include a budget using the template provided in the application and on the website. Timeline and Review Process Application Opens: May 1, 2025 | 12:00 a. m.

Staff Assistance Ends: June 16, 2025 | 5:00 p. m. Application Closes: June 16, 2025 | 11:00 p.

m. Applicants Notified: September 2025 After June 16, a review panel evaluates all applications and makes recommendations to the Department of Arts & History staff. The panel is made up of members of the Arts & History Commission and arts and history practitioners from diverse communities.

The panel works both independently and alongside Arts & History program staff to evaluate grant applications, ensuring an equitable, fair and thorough review and ranking process. Staff then finalizes recommendations and presents them to the Arts & History Commission.

Final recommendations from the Commission are submitted to Mayor and City Council, and provides at least two weeks for comment or questions prior to sending notifications of award status. Note: All participants in the A&H grant review panel are bound by a conflict of interest policy.

An actual or apparent conflict of interest relates to a fiduciary, professional, or personal relationship with an applicant that would prevent an unbiased review. Review the Annual Grant Program Guidelines .

The Annual Grant Program supports the Department of Arts & History's (A&H) mission to cultivate a distinct sense of place that reflects Boise's rich past, diverse communities, and unique natural setting by creating opportunities that nurture and sustain Boise's creative economy. The Arts & History Grant program reflects priorities as outlined in the City of Boise Cultural Master Plan.

Grants are reviewed by a panel consisting of members of the community and the Arts & History Commission, and awarded based on quality, community benefit, alignment with the City of Boise's vision of a City for Everyone, accessibility, and management. Read the criteria descriptions closely and refer to them as you answer the application questions.

For purposes of this grant, reviewers will look for the following information when evaluating your application for quality: A clear description of the project, including its artistic, historic, and/or cultural components and details on how funding will be used.

Biographies that describe the background, experience, and training of people included in your application who will be relied upon for artistic, historical, and/or cultural expertise.

Such expertise may be acquired in various ways, such as: Formal educational settings (school, college, certification programs, etc.); Passed down within a community or cultural group; Jobs, apprenticeships, and internships; Non-traditional settings; and/or A combination of any of the above. Describe how your proposal will benefit Boise residents and contribute to our cultural community.

Be sure to clearly explain the following: Why your project is meaningful: capture what drives the project and why it is important for Boise residents. Intended Audience(s): clearly describe the types of audiences you plan to attract and/or be involved with your project, and describe how you plan to promote/market your project to the intended audience(s). Note: a project can have a small audience and still have a community benefit.

Alignment with the City of Boise and the Department's Mission (20%) The priority of this grant program is to fund projects and programs that: Bring people together and build positive relationships that ultimately help create A City for Everyone . Clearly aligns with the Department of Arts & History's mission to cultivate a distinct sense of place that reflects Boise's rich past, diverse communities, and unique natural setting.

This grant program seeks to fund projects and programs that are: Affordable: free or low-cost experiences ($20 or less per person) are most appropriate for this grant program or where scholarships/financial aid is offered.

Inclusive: the project offers accommodations or services related to hearing or vision, physical accessibility, language translation, scholarship, financial aid, etc. Be sure to clearly explain the following: List the person or people responsible for the project and their related management skills. Planning and logistics, such as licenses or approvals needed, venue reservations, timeline, and project evaluation measures.

A complete, balanced budget. You must use the Excel sheet provided in the application to fill out your budget. Read the instructions carefully, and be sure to note the following: The budget must balance (total project expenses = total project income) Use Column E (Explanation) to provide an explanation for each line you fill out.

All individuals or organizations applying for funding through the 2026 Annual Grant Program are encouraged, but not required, to attend a grant information session offered by the Boise City Department of Arts & History. Department staff will walk through the guidelines and answer questions about the application process. The virtual information session will be recorded and uploaded to the website and YouTube for those unable to attend.

Watch the recordings: 2026 Annual Grant Program Information Session (YouTube) Budget Template Excel Sheet 2026 Information Session Recording (YouTube) Boise Visual Chronicle (BVC) A brief overview of the settlement, structure and naming of our city. From the valley's Indigenous peoples, to early settlers and modern-day residents, learn more about the people who have shaped Boise.

Explore Boise's historic sites, cultural hotspots and unique natural setting. Learn more about the history of municipal government in Idaho's capital city.

Browse Digital Collection City Council Meeting Minutes Guide to the Archives and Finding Aids Saving places of cultural significance, that shaped Boise - past and present The Erma Hayman House represents the history of the River District and is now home to exhibits dedicated to cultural education The James Castle House was the home and work place of the titular artist, and now home to the James Castle Residency Immerse yourself in our rich cultural community at Cultural Site events Cultural Ambassador Program Supports the cultural and creative community, acting as Boise's honorary representative to the world, engaging international audiences through public expression of culture We are intentional with our investments, to support sustain and grow a thriving cultural scene in Boise Boise Airport Wall Surface 3D Public Art Boise City Writer-in-Residence James Castle House Residencies Mayor's Awards for Excellence in Arts & History Guide to Applying for Grants Other Grant Opportunities Learn more about Boise City Department of Arts & History Arts & History Commission The advisory body for the department and appointed by the Mayor Let us know how we can help!

Send us a message and we'll be in touch!