About Imagine Greater Louisville
The Imagine Greater Louisville 2020 plan was introduced as the arts and cultural plan for the Louisville Metro region in April 2017. The community-based plan was created under the leadership of a cross-sector, 28-person steering committee over 18 months. Nearly 5,000 people contributed through public meetings, interviews, and surveys. The result is 5 priorities, 15 strategies and 56 recommended actions that connect with other community initiatives and provide a blueprint for the ways arts and culture can help transform the region in the future. The Imagine Greater Louisville Steering Committee and five subcommittees are working to implement the plan. Fund for the Arts acts as the administrator guiding the work of the committees.
What is the Imagine Regional Grant Opportunity?
Imagine Greater Louisville 2020 is a regional plan based on the understanding that arts, culture, and creativity are not limited or defined by geographic boundaries. With the support of the Jennifer Lawrence Arts Fund individuals, groups, organizations and partnerships from across the Greater Louisville Region are encouraged to submit creative proposals addressing how arts and culture can help the region grow, compete, thrive and solve community problems. A total of $50,000 is available to support these projects which must take place in one of the following counties. In Kentucky: Bullitt, Henry, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble. In Indiana: Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, Washington.
And, each project must support, align with or further one of the priorities of the Imagine 2020 plan:
- Access: Arts, culture and creativity are fully integrated into daily life and accessible to everyone in every neighborhood. More art for more people in more places.
- Cultivation: Greater Louisville is a magnet for artists and creative professionals, where arts and culture organizations and creative industries, both institutional and emerging, are thriving.
- Education: Every child in our community has the opportunity to experience and participate in arts and culture through experiences in their schools, out-of-school programs and with their families.
- Equity, Diversity & Inclusivity: Cultural equity is leading the way to a more equitable, diverse and inclusive community improving the social equity and cultural vitality of our region.
- Promotion: Greater Louisville is recognized nationally and internationally as a leading city of arts and culture attracting talent to live and work here and tourists to stay and play.
More information on these priorities and the Imagine 2020 plan can be found at ImagineGreaterLou.org.
How to Apply
The Imagine 2020 grant application is accessible at this link.
Click here to access a saved application
Informational sessions for potential applicants are scheduled as follows:
- Wednesday, February 28 at 6 p.m.
Carnegie Center for Art & History
201 East Spring St, New Albany IN - Thursday, March 1 at 12 Noon: Webinar
Conference Call Access:Call in #: 712-775-7270
Access Code: 885613
Award Amounts
A total of $50,000 is available. Projects of all sizes are encouraged.
Program Timeline
| February 15, 2018 | Project proposal period opens |
| April 1, 2018 by 11:59 p.m. | Project proposals due |
| June 1, 2018 | Selected projects announced |
| June 2018 (date tbd) | Grantee orientation held |
| July 1, 2018 | Selected projects begin |
| June 30, 2019 | Selected projects impact report due |
Review and Selection Process
Proposals will be reviewed by a three-tiered panel of reviewers that includes members from the five Imagine subcommittees and Steering Committee (who have not submitted a proposal) and invited regional community members, artists and arts and culture leaders. A similar panel from outside of the area will provide peer review. Public comment from the website will also be considered during the review process. Each proposal will be reviewed by at least three different reviewers.
Grant Payment & Reporting Requirements
Upon notification of selection for funding, grantees must sign a grant agreement with the Fund for the Arts and will be required to submit a final report articulating the impact of the project work.
Contact Information
If you have any questions about the Imagine Regional Grants initiative, please read the FAQs or you may call (502) 582-0131.
