Visit Eau Claire Cultural Arts Grant Program

Visit Eau Claire Cultural Arts Grant Program

Funder: Visit Eau Claire, a non-stock, not-for-profit private corporation

Geographic Scope: Eau Claire area, Wisconsin, US

Program Purpose: The Cultural Arts Grant Program invests in creative projects that strengthen the community's cultural identity, enhance quality of life, and contribute to the overall appeal of Eau Claire as a place to live, visit, and experience the arts. The program catalyzes new, creative, and unique arts and cultural experiences that enhance vibrancy, identity, and cultural fabric of the Eau Claire area.

Status: Currently operating as a pilot initiative for the April 2026 application cycle; updates or adjustments may be introduced ahead of the November cycle.

Focus Areas & Priorities

The program prioritizes innovation, experimentation, and artistic growth, encouraging projects that:

Introduce fresh ideas

Activate spaces

Create memorable cultural experiences

Contribute to Eau Claire's evolving sense of place

Push creative boundaries

Explore new formats or collaborations

Meaningfully contribute to Eau Claire area's evolving cultural landscape

Note: This program is NOT intended to provide ongoing or annual operational support for recurring events or standard programming. Funding focuses on projects that push creative boundaries and explore new formats.

Eligible Projects

To be competitive, a project must be time-limited and open to the public. Priority given to:

New Cultural Events and Programming: First-time festivals, performances, exhibitions, or cultural events taking place in Eau Claire

Innovative or Experimental Work: New cultural and artistic programming, creative concepts, or experimental initiatives not previously presented in community

Community Engagement: Projects that meaningfully connect community through immersive or interactive programming

Expanded or Reimagined Components: Significant enhancements to existing event that introduce new cultural or artistic content, collaborations, formats, or audience engagement opportunities

Important: Applicants proposing expanded or reimagined components of existing events must clearly articulate how project is materially different from prior years and how it advances cultural or artistic innovation beyond standard programming.

Ineligible Activities

• Recurring annual events without meaningful expansion or growth
• Routine operating expenses, staffing, or administrative costs
• Organizations that discriminate based on race, color, creed, gender, national origin, or limited participation
• Political organizations, candidates for political office, and organizations whose primary purpose is to influence legislation
• Individuals and organizations that have not fulfilled previous grant award requirements
• Capital improvements/renovations (unless directly tied to new visitor initiative)

Application Review Process

Grant Committee: Visit Eau Claire Grant Committee reviews and evaluates applications; final approval granted by Visit Eau Claire Board of Directors

Completeness Review: Grant Administrator reviews applications when submitted for completeness; clarifications requested as needed with applicants; late or incomplete applications not accepted

Evaluation Criteria (Weighted):

Originality & Creative Vision: 25%

Feasibility & Planning: 20%

Community & Visitor Impact: 20%

Artistic & Organizational Growth: 15%

Sustainability & Future Potential: 10%

Community Partnerships & Regional Collaboration: 10%

Funding Disbursement

• Timing: Grant funds dispersed post-event following submission and approval of final event evaluation report documenting project impact
• Cancellation: If funded event is canceled, grant becomes void and pre-cancellation expenses will not be reimbursed; applicants must notify Visit Eau Claire of significant changes
• Branding Requirements: If project awarded funding, Wisconsin Arts Board and National Endowment for the Arts logos and credit language must be included on all written materials and website

Contact

Grants Administrator: grants@visiteauclaire.com

Main Contact: marketing@visiteauclaire.com

Address: 128 Graham Ave, Suite 234, Eau Claire, WI 54701

Phone: 715.831.2345

Funding Supports

Past grant recipients include:

Hmong New Year Celebration

Clearwater Art & Jazz Festival

And other cultural celebrations and creative projects

Additional Information

• Applications for events scheduled more than six months in advance are welcome if urgency is clearly explained
• Events must occur minimum 45 days after grant cycle deadline dates
• Revenue sources: Annual appropriations from room tax dollars and various revenue-generating programs

Application Process

Application Questions: View Cultural Arts Grant Application Questions before applying (recommended prep for strong submission)

Grant Cycles & Deadlines

April 15 Cycle (for events occurring July 1 - December 31)

March 1: Reminder announcement of accepting applications

April 15: Spring application deadline (NEXT DEADLINE: 2026-04-15)

April/May: Visit Eau Claire Grant Committee Evaluation & Meeting

May: Visit Eau Claire Board of Directors approval of grant awards

June: Notification of grant application decisions

June: Funding disbursement begins (post-event evaluation report submission)

November 15 Cycle (for events occurring January 1 - June 30)

October 1: Reminder announcement of accepting applications

November 15: Fall application deadline

Nov/Dec: Visit Eau Claire Grant Committee Evaluation & Meeting

December: Visit Eau Claire Board of Directors approval of grant awards

January: Notification of grant application decisions

January: Funding disbursement begins (post-event evaluation report submission)

Application Requirements

1. Submit complete application by deadline (late or incomplete applications not accepted)
2. Event must occur minimum 45 days after respective grant cycle deadline
3. Provide application responses addressing evaluation criteria:
- Originality & Creative Vision
- Feasibility & Planning
- Community & Visitor Impact
- Artistic & Organizational Growth
- Sustainability & Future Potential
- Community Partnerships & Regional Collaboration
4. For expanded/reimagined projects: Clearly explain how materially different from prior years and how advances cultural/artistic innovation
5. Post-event: Submit final evaluation report documenting project impact to receive funding disbursement

Required Materials

• Event details and timeline
• Description of creative vision and innovation
• Community engagement plan
• Partnership information (if applicable)
• Feasibility and planning documentation
• Sustainability and future potential assessment
• Organizational capacity and background

Post-Award Requirements

• Include Wisconsin Arts Board logo and credit language on all written materials
• Include National Endowment for the Arts logo and credit language on all written materials
• Include logos and credit language on website
• Submit final evaluation report post-event