Application Process

1. Review the guidelines. Read through all pages under the menu section. 
2. Review the application. You cannot save the form. Draft your responses using these sample applications:
   • Project Grant Application Sample
   • Legacy Grant Application Sample
   • Individual Fellowship Application Sample
3. Draft your project statement. This can be either a 250–500-word response for EACH of the following sections OR one 10-minute video that answers all sections:
   1. Artistic & Educational Value
      1. How will your project contribute to the quality of the arts in Madison? For Individual Fellowship applicants, how will your project support your artistic development?
      2. How will this grant contribute to you or your organization’s artistic goals, or expand your capacity/programming?
      3. How is your project innovative?
   2. Access
      1. What element of your project is free to the public? For Individual Fellowship applicants this could be an exhibition, workshop, performance, school or library presentation, street performance, etc.
      2. Who is your target audience?
      3. How will you engage your target audience?
      4. What partnerships or collaborations are you building to reach your target audience?
      5. How will you stretch yourself to make your project accessible to more diverse audiences? For example, will you provide transportation?
   3. Feasibility
      1. Who are the key project staff? Include their role and qualifications.
      2. What is your project timeline?
      3. Where will your project occur?
      4. How will you promote your project? Are you trying new marketing efforts?
      5. Are any permits, permissions, or partnerships required for the project to succeed? If yes, what are they and have you received these permissions?
      6. What will success look like for this project and how will you evaluate that?
   4. Importance
      1. How will your project fill an identified community need?
      2. How will your project increase awareness of the arts in Madison?
      3. Will your project provide access to an underrepresented art form?
      4. Are other organizations relying on your project? if yes, did they provide a letter of support?
      5. How will this grant have an effective impact on the project?
4. Estimate Hotel Stays. If your event generates hotel stays, prepare an estimated number of total stays. A portion of our funding comes from taxes generated by hotels, and we may be able to use those funds for your grant.
5. Prepare optional demographic information. To distribute grant funding equitably, the application form asks for demographic information. Organizations should submit based on their Board membership. Individuals should self-report.
6. Prepare the following attachments:
   1. Project Budget Form (save as A_budget_ApplicantName.pdf or .xlsx). New in 2026 this is an editable excel file that auto calculates expenses, income, and cash match. 
   2. 3-5 Work Samples (save as C_worksample_Sample#_ApplicantName.jpg)
   3. List of Work Samples including number, title, year, size/duration, media (save as D_imagelist_ApplicantName.pdf)
   4. Optional. Letters of Support or Proof of Partnership that are relevant to the project. Projects requiring permits, permissions or partnerships to succeed must submit proof of partnership letters. (save as B_letters_ApplicantName.pdf)
   5. Organizations Only: proof of tax exemption for your organization or fiscal agent. Example: IRS Determination Letter or Certificate of Exempt Status. (save as E_Tax_ApplicantName.pdf).
   6. Organizations Only: List of current board members (save as F_Board_ApplicantName.pdf)
   7. Organizations Only: Check the WI Department of Financial Institutions portal to confirm your organization is registered using a Madison address. We may make an exception if you are in Madison and your fiscal agent is outside Madison, or if you represent a local chapter of a national organization
7. Apply by 11:59 pm on March 1, 2026

Legacy Applicants Prepare:

• Item 3: Project statement
• Item 4: Estimated hotel stays
• Item 5: Optional demographic information
• Item 6.a: Project budget
• Then submit the application. 

For help or to request accommodations, explore grant tools or email madisonarts@cityofmadison.com