Downtown Arts & Culture Impact Grants
The Missoula Downtown Foundation enhances and promotes the Spirit and Heritage of the greater Downtown Missoula area, now and for future generations.
The Arts & Culture Impact Grants utilize private resources to support the beautification, historical preservation, and general livability of Downtown Missoula. The Missoula Downtown Foundation supports placemaking projects that celebrate Downtown Missoula as the cultural center of our community.
Focus
Placemaking projects reimagine public spaces and contribute to an inviting, healthy, vibrant community. The Foundation’s Arts & Culture Impact Grants aim to create connectivity to Downtown, capitalize on community assets, and create bonds among residents, visitors, and Downtown Missoula. Placemaking projects can transform identified spaces in Downtown Missoula and strengthen the connection people have with the Missoula community. The Foundation supports public and private entities, organizations, groups, and or individuals that:
- Make Downtown Missoula better for future generations
Figure 1: Rendering of a space downtown transformed with a mural. Bartholet, Dave. Brook Trout. - Support the cultural, social, and economic uniqueness that is Downtown Missoula
- Create long-lasting positive change in Downtown Missoula
- Complete projects within six months
- Complete projects that are inclusive of all individuals
The Foundation will consider impactful and sustainable projects that focus on:
- Heritage and historic preservation
- Arts & culture
- Safety, livability, walkability
- Alley activation
- Compliance with the goals of the Downtown Master Plan, the North Riverside Parks & Trails Plan, or the Heritage Interpretive Plan
Available Funding
The MDF Board of Directors is dedicated to ensure the Foundation’s resources will have a significant impact on small-scale projects for Downtown Missoula. MDF will allocate $30,000 each year to fund individual projects up to $5,000 per project, per year.
Unsure what spaces are available? Downtown is host to a multitude of public spaces and private buildings ready for mural activation! Below are two spaces identified for alley activation. What do you envision the space would look like with your art?
- Backside of Montgomery Distillery (129 W. Front St.)
Site Details:
1.) Full wall, including space around windows, garage and door available for use
2.) Brick surface
3.) Owner has no specifications for art type or style, let your imagination decide!
- East Face of Grizzly Hackle (211 W. Front St.)
Site Details:
1.) Full wall (gray space) available for use
2.) Cinder block surface
3.) Owner would love to see your version of a “Greetings from MISSOULA” postcard alley. Other art renderings are more than welcome as well!
Application Period
Evaluation Criteria

The MDF Board of Directors will review submitted applications for:
- Artistic quality and merit of the project
- The extent to which the project leverages investment in the MDF mission and Downtown priority projects
- Alignment with current Downtown Master Plans, priorities, and focus areas
- Sustainability of the completed project
- Applicant qualifications
- Located within Downtown Master Plan Boundary (found below)
