Until September 28th, applications for Arts Alive mini grants from $50-250 are open to artists and creative businesses of the Monadnock region. Grants will be awarded directly to artists, emerging artists, or creative businesses that seek to expand their professional abilities or increase how many people they can reach with arts experiences. Applications have been open online at monadnockartsalive.org/mini-grants since August 18th.
“We’re going to be flexible with how this money can be used,” says Arts Alive Board Member Georgia Cassimatis. “Supplies for a project, marketing your work, a short term studio rental, getting work framed, booking time in a recording studio or performance space, hiring a babysitter and ordering takeout for several nights so you can focus on a project, gas for your car to get to a series of gigs, attending a workshop—whatever it is that will help you move towards the next level.”
The application, available here, is simple. Most questions require a short answer, with some requiring multiple choice or check box answers. Applicants will be asked to describe themselves and their project, including how the funding will be used, who will be impacted by the project and in what way, and how much progress has already been made. Recipients will be chosen by a panel of local leaders in the creative community based on how meaningful the project funding will be to the applicant and the positive impact on the greater arts community.
Artists, emerging artists, writers, performers, and creative business entrepreneurs are all encouraged to apply. Grant awards will be distributed via check and recipients will need to fill out a W9 form to receive their payment. By accepting the minigrant, recipients agree to use the funds for intended purposes by September 2026 and agree to document the impact of the funding on their project. A jury of local arts leaders will review the applications in Mid-October, and Arts Alive will distribute grants to selected projects by November 1st. .
In 2023, Arts Alive awarded grants of $100 to $250 to 10 out of 33 total applicants. Through anonymously collected demographic information, Arts Alive determined that 39% of those applicants lived at or below the poverty line and over 57% made less than the region’s median income.
“This is our creative way to do some research,” says Alison Wilder, Arts Alive board member. “We’re launching this in order to collect information about artists, performers, and other creatives whose businesses are emerging and who need a boost. That is one of the key groups we serve with our field trips, workshops, and fiscal sponsorship programs. We want to better understand where they’re at. This just made sense, instead of paying a consultant to do research or investing in advertising an online survey, we’re going to put money into the hands of creatives in our community.”
Arts Alive’s mission is to ignite creativity and spark connection across the Monadnock region. By nurturing artists, culture-bearers, and creative instigators, the organization strives to bring access to the arts to every Monadnock region community member. The organization provides artists and organizations with education, resources, assistance, and community support for success. Through the Mini Grants program, Arts Alive aims to support local artists, particularly those who identify as facing financial hardship, in their professional and creative endeavors.
“We’re delighted that the minigrants program can open the doors for folks to pursue their dreams and reach their community,” says Board Co-Chair Jennifer Paone.
To help raise the funds for grants, Arts Alive conducted a NH Gives Day online fundraiser. The $2,9,50 raised will cover anywhere from 8 to 40 mini-grants between $50 and $250. In the past, Arts Alive has partnered with local businesses to build this fund and create opportunities for local artists to advance professionally. To partner with Arts Alive on this project, or to donate specifically to this fund, reach out to Georgia at minigrants@monadnockartsalive.org or visit monadnockartsalive.org/mini-grants.