Increasing opportunities for inter-generational programming and/or safe ‘third spaces’ for youth to engage in arts and culture.

Si prefiere leer esta página en español por favor haga clic aquí. Se puede responder a la solicitud en español. Un miembro del personal de la Oficina de Artes y Cultura traducirá sus respuestas para que sean revisadas.

For this application in other languages please contact the Office of Arts + Culture Program Manager Sarah Harrison at harrisons@bouldercolorado.gov.

Purpose

The Lifelong Learning Grant funds on-going programs that support Boulder’s youth. The goal of the grant is to increase opportunities for inter-generational programming and/or safe ‘third spaces’ for youth to engage in arts and culture.

How to Apply

Get Informed

Review the below information in full.

Grant Portal

Log onto the Boulder Arts Commission online grant portal. If you have not logged on before, make a profile. Applications must be submitted using our online grant applications.

Application

Complete the application by 11:59 p.m. on the day of the deadline.

Application Confirmation

Look for an automated email message confirming receipt of your application.

Scoring Round One

After the deadline, applications will be sent to the Cultural Grants Panel for scoring and comments. The panel may collectively ask up to two clarifying questions about your application.

Scoring Round Two

Before the Arts Commission meeting, the panel will re-score the applications. At the decision meeting, the members of the Boulder Arts Commission then deliberate to decide final approval of the applications which will receive a grant.

Completion of Paperwork

When a grant is awarded, staff from the Office of Arts and Culture will contact the successful applicant to complete any necessary paperwork.

Details

Total Funds: $10,000

Awards: Approximately 2 awards at $5,000 each

Details: The award amount of $5,000 is a maximum funding guideline. Smaller requests will be accepted. Payments are made 80% at the time of award, 20% after the report is approved.

Cycle: Annual

Decision Timelines

Deadline to submit application: Friday, April 24 at 11:59 p.m.

Decision Timeline:

  • Friday, April 24 – Pre-applications open
  • April 24 – May 20 – Rolling pre-application eligibility review by staff
  • Wednesday, May 20 – Deadline for pre-applications
  • Friday, June 5 at 11:59 p.m. - Deadline for full applications
  • June 10 – June 17 – Preliminary review and score by panel (15 days)
  • Wednesday, June 24 – Panel meets to discuss applications
  • June 26 – July 3 – Applicants respond to (up to) 2 points of clarification
  • July 3 – July 10 - Final review and score by panel (8 days)
  • July 10 – July 17 – Processing of final scores
  • Wednesday, July 22 - Arts Commission meeting. Discussion and final decisions on grants

Eligibility Requirements

  • General eligibility. Meets all general eligibility requirements.
  • Open to all. Anyone may apply once the general eligibility requirements are met, including individuals, artists, non-profit organizations, organizations with pending non-profit status, fiscally sponsored organizations and for-profit organizations with a community focus.
  • Service area and programming. Programs must have a demonstrated benefit to school children in the City of Boulder. This programming must meet the criteria described in the Chapter 14-1-2 of the City of Boulder Revised Code. For the determination of programming location, the term “Boulder” is defined in the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. For additional information on the planning area and Comprehensive Plan, visit this link. As a short hand, office staff use addresses with the zip code starting with 803— to determine if it is in the acceptable area.
  • Programming details. Must demonstrate that the funded programming has existed continuously for at least two years. The programming must either provide meaningful opportunities for intergenerational creativity, a safe ‘third-space’ for youth to engage in arts and culture, or both.

Review Process

  • Deliberation. Applications are reviewed by the Boulder Arts Commission grants panel. Final funding decisions are made at public Boulder Arts Commission meetings. See schedule.
  • Evaluation of applications. Funding in previous years does not imply continued support. Each application is reviewed anew in the context of current policies and applications. Applicants that have received repeated funding should be aware that the Boulder Arts Commission looks for indication of growth and a fresh approach to their work.
  • Evaluation criteria
    • Program Offerings (Maximum 8 points)
    • Community goals (Maximum 8 points)
    • Proposed outcomes and evaluation strategy (Maximum 8 points)
    • Boulder Focus (Maximum 6 points)
    • Cultural equity (Maximum 8 points)
    • Encouragement points (Maximum 3 points)
  • The complete scoring system and rubric for the Lifelong Learning Grant can be found here.

Apply

Log onto the Boulder Arts Commission online grant portal to preview and apply. If you have not logged on before, make a profile. Applications must be submitted using our online grant applications.

Appeals Process

Written Appeals Process. The deadline for a written appeal is 14 days after funding decisions has been made by the Boulder Arts Commission. Find more information about the appeals process.

Reporting

Grant report forms are on the Boulder Arts Commission grants software. Log in with the same user name and password utilized to submit the application. After logging in, go to the ‘Dashboard’, then you’ll see a ‘Follow Up’ section for the grant. On the far right is the ‘Edit’ button. That will take you to complete the final report.

After you submit the report you’ll receive email confirmation and copy of the report via the email that you have included in the report. Contact Sarah Harrison at harrisons@bouldercolorado.gov or 303-441-3907 if you do not receive email confirmation.

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