The NEA has announced the inaugural round of “Our Town” funding, totaling $6.575 million in grants to 51 communities in 34 states that have created public-private partnerships to strengthen the arts while shaping the social, physical and economic characters of their neighborhoods, towns, cities and regions.

Our Town grants range from $25,000 to $250,000 and represent a range of rural, suburban and urban communities. Grants were awarded for planning, design and arts engagement projects that strengthen arts organizations while increasing the livability of communities across America. By requiring a partnership between local government and an arts or design organization, Our Town encourages creative, cross sector solutions to the challenges facing towns, cities and the arts community.

An example of a theatre group that won an Our Town grant this round is the Hennepin Theatre Trust in Minneapolis, MN. They received $200,000 to support a planning process for the revitalization of Hennepin Avenue as a cultural corridor. This project will engage neighborhood groups, arts organizations, institutions and the business community to develop a plan for Hennepin Avenue that will map cultural assets, propose arts uses for underdeveloped spaces, and foster economic vitality.

Action: Visit the NEA website to see the complete listing of Our Town grants.