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 i: 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:

  1. Heritage and historic preservation
  2. Arts & culture
  3. Safety, livability, walkability
  4. Alley activation
  5. 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 $15,000 each year to fund individual projects up to $5,000 per project, per year.

Donate

Interested in supporting more art for our community? Donations to the Missoula Downtown Foundation can be directed specifically to the Arts & Culture Impact Grant.

Donate Here
Available Space

Unsure what spaces are available? Downtown is host to a multitude of public spaces and private buildings ready for mural activation! Below are a few 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 would like the mural to match the style of artwork seen within Montgomery Distillery.

 

  • South Face Wall of Worden’s Market (451 N. Higgins)

Site Details:

1.) Full wall, project can be phased in three sections

2.) Painted cinder block surface

3.) Owner would like to see a historical mural of Missoula through the years

Evaluation Criteria
Figure ii: Rendering of a space downtown transformed with a mural. Fab Funky. Beagle, Formal Hound and Hat.

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)
Figure iii: Focus area for grant funding; within the Downtown Master Plan Boundary.

Application
Grant applications are reviewed in the Spring of each year. The application portal for 2024 will reopen January 1, 2024. Applications should be submitted no later than March 30, 2024.
A determination on an application will be decided within three months. Selected applicants will be invited to present their project to the MDF Board of Directors.
Past Projects
2023

Title: Greetings from Missoula

Artist: Tanya Lee Yarrow

Hometown: Missoula, MT

Description: Completed in 10 weeks during the summer of 2023, this mural depicts many of the activities Missoulians know and love. It captures the essence and representation of the city and has become a focal point for locals and tourists alike to enjoy.

Title: Filling the Void

Artist: Missoula Art Museum’s Teen Art Project with artist leads April Werle, Krissy Ramirez and Janaína Vieira-Marques

Hometown: Missoula, MT

Description: Two murals on adjacent alley walls along the 100 block of West Broadway created in the summer of 2023 through the Missoula Art Museum’s Teen Art Project. The murals are a juxtaposition of indoor to outdoor scenes and include ceramic elements throughout the piece.