Spokane Arts Grant Awards (SAGA)

Mission: To enrich artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy within Spokane by serving as a catalyst for a robust, healthy arts community where individual artists, creative industries, and non-profit arts and culture organizations thrive.

Geographic Scope: Spokane region and Inland Northwest, Washington State

Funding Focus Areas:

• Visual arts (painting, sculpture, installation, printmaking, tintype, glass)
• Performing arts (dance, theater, music, opera)
• Film and media (documentary, interactive film, new media)
• Literary arts (writing, publishing, poetry)
• Cultural projects (storytelling, cultural preservation, community cultural events)
• Arts education and youth programs
• Arts therapy
• Culinary arts
• Public art

Eligibility:

• Individual artists
• Arts organizations
• Non-profit cultural organizations
• Creative businesses
• Must be based in or serving the Spokane/Inland Northwest region
• Washington State artists eligible

Evaluation Criteria:

• Artistic merit
• Effectiveness
• Community impact
• Project timeline and budget realism
• Alignment with SAGA's mission and priorities

Grantmaking Structure:

• Typically 3 rounds per year
• Panel of 6 community members with arts and culture experience reviews applications
• Panel names announced each December after funding decisions made
• Competitive process

Funding History:

• 2017 (inception): Initial awards
• 2019: $104,500 total across 3 rounds
• 2020: $175,000+ total (increased from $125,000 baseline due to COVID-19 relief)
• 2021: $135,000 total across 3 rounds
• Cumulative (through 2021): Over $500,000 awarded

Contact:

• Phone: 509-321-9614
• Email: shelly@spokanearts.org
• Address: PO Box 978, Spokane, WA 99210
• Physical: 801 W Riverside Ave. Suite 100, Spokane, WA 99201

SAGA Application Process

Key Principles for Success:

1. Be Creative - Use storytelling to demonstrate how your project impacts community; show artistic merit through compelling narrative; convey project vision in 10-15 seconds of reading
2. Get Organized - Set up timelines for proposal completion; use tools like Google Calendar or grant writing notebook; start with budget/expense section, then build narrative
3. Be Inquisitive - Ask questions about funder goals; attend workshops; seek one-on-one appointments; ensure proposal details align with SAGA's priorities

Application Requirements:

• Project description/narrative (demonstrate creativity and community impact)
• Budget and expense list
• Project timeline (must be realistic)
• Background/context information
• Goals and expected outcomes
• Evidence of organizational/artistic track record

Key Questions to Address:

• What is your project? (should be clear in 10-15 seconds of reading)
• How does it demonstrate artistic merit?
• What is the community impact?
• How does it align with SAGA's mission?
• Is your project timeline realistic?
• Is your budget realistic?
• Why does SAGA make sense for your project?

Support Available:

• Grant writing workshops available
• One-on-one appointments with SAGA grants administrator
• Contact: shelly@spokanearts.org or 509-321-9614 for assistance

Application Submission:

• Multiple rounds per year (approximately 3 rounds annually)
• Competitive process with pool of 25-42+ applications per round
• Submit via online portal (specific URL not provided in content)

Tips for Success:

• Start with expense list to determine funding needed
• Build narrative around realistic budget
• Give yourself adequate time for feedback from colleagues/partners
• Set calendar reminders for deadlines and follow-up
• Revisit rejected proposals and incorporate feedback
• Demonstrate resilience; rejection is part of the process
• Show how project benefits community beyond just the applicant