In this issue:

1. Arts Grants for 2025 – NOW OPEN! 
2. New! Major Arts Grants at the $5000 level 
3. New! Cascading Arts Grant applications
4. General Arts Grants 
5. Transportation Grants 
6. Key questions to think about before applying for your Arts Grant
7. Criteria for a successful grant application
8. What If production, Effigy and Temple, and camp application info coming soon! 
9. What If Key Dates!

Announcing Arts Grants for What If 2025! 

Arts Grants are now open!

This newsletter is CHOCK FULL of info about GVIAS grants for What If 2025!!

If you’re interested in applying this year, make sure to read through to the end!

What’s new for 2025?

• Major Arts Grants – Up to $5000 for ambitious projects! (Apply by March 17)
• Cascading Applications – Apply once, be considered in multiple rounds!
• Larger grants awarded first – Get started early for the best chance at funding.
• Focus on Sustainability – Let’s make this our greenest year yet!

Information about all Arts Grant tiers and closing dates are in this newsletter and are posted on the GVIAS grants page.

New! Major Arts grants at the $5000 level 
We have a limited number of Major Arts Grants at the $5000 level available to ambitious artists in celebration of our first ever “What If” event.

Big projects require big support. Need shop space? How about the tools necessary to launch your artistic abilities? Materials, and equipment to make it go? Don’t stress, we can help with those!

These projects will be eligible for larger transportation and logistics awards.

The $5K Major Art Grant closes Monday, March 17. 

New! Cascading Arts Grant applications

This year, we’re awarding the largest grants first, with smaller grants distributed closer to the event. This approach ensures that high-cost projects get funding early while giving smaller projects more time to apply.

Apply early to maximize your chances! Your project will be considered in multiple rounds until the final deadline. If not selected in an early round, you can opt to be automatically reconsidered for a smaller grant—no need to reapply. Just select this option on your application form!

Available Arts Grants

• Major Arts Grants – up to $5000
  (Closes March 17)
• Full Scale Arts Grants – up to $2000
  (Closes April 9)
• Standard Arts Grants – up to $1500
  (Closes May 14)
• Mezzo Arts Grants – up to $1000
  (Closes June 11)
• Minor Arts Grants – up to $500
  (Closes July 9)
• Micro Arts Grants – up to $200
  (Closes July 9)

Transportation Grants

We’re aiming to reduce spending on gasoline so more funds go toward art while minimizing our carbon footprint. It’s a balance, and we need your help!

Consider:

• Can your bus-based art potentially bring a lot of people?
• Are you renting an electric vehicle?
• Can your art hitch a ride with a camp truck?
• Does your friend’s truck or RV have space?

Demonstrating a cost-effective and sustainable transportation plan will strengthen your application. Let’s get creative and prioritize funding for art!

What makes a strong grant application?  

Interactivity, creativity, sustainability, and accessibility are the name of the game for grant applications!

 Interactivity & Creativity: Projects should amaze, inspire, and bring people together. How will Burners engage with it, and what kind of memorable moments will it create?

 Sustainability: Integrate renewable energy and avoid disposable, single-use items. Prioritize reclaimed, recycled, or reusable materials—think old election signs over new coroplast.

 Accessibility: Ensure your project is inclusive and accessible to different abilities and senses

 Innovation: Push creative boundaries. Are you experimenting with e-bike batteries or exploring new forms of reactive art? Show us your groundbreaking ideas!

 Longevity: Create something that evolves beyond the event—through repurposing, reuse, or growing into something new.

 Imagination & Resourcefulness: Prioritize creativity over shopping lists. How are you transforming materials into something unique rather than relying on ready-made items?

What If production, Effigy and Temple, and camp application info coming soon!

More details about production leadership roles, camp and art applications, and Temple and Effigy applications will be coming out in the near future — so please make sure that you’re reading these newsletters!

What If Key Dates

March 17 – $5000 Major Arts Grants close
April 9 – Full Scale Arts Grants close
May 14 – Standard Arts Grants close
June 11 – Mezzo Arts Grants close
July 9 – Minor Arts Grants close
July 9 – Micro Art Grants close
July 31 to August 4 – What If event