We work with artists and organizations to ensure that Bellevue is a great place where each year, over 6,000 artists and volunteers can live up to their creative potential, over half a million attendees experience innovative art and diverse cultural traditions, and thousands of people are supported with free access to these experiences and other educational opportunities.
We offer two-year operating support to organizations through Eastside Arts Partnerships and one-time project support to artists, groups, and organizations through Projects Grants. Two additional add-on grant opportunities are available for each granting program. See the below tabs for guidelines.
Find open programs and apply here: Bellevue Arts & Culture on SurveyMonkey Apply
Instructions on how to use the online application portal are here.
2024 Regular Grant Schedule
2024 Regular Grant Schedule
Since the Eastside Arts Partnership (EAP) grants have moved to a two-year granting cycle, the Arts Program will only offer Project grants and the add-on BelRed bonus grant for the 2024 funding cycle. This means for the 2023 application period (applying for grants that take effect in 2024), all 2023 EAP recipients will receive the same award amount and will not need to reapply and new EAP applications will need to wait to apply in 2024. Please contact the program administrator, Manette Stamm at mstamm@belleveuwa.gov, 425-452-4064, with any questions.
Timeline
| Application Portal Opens | August 15, 2023 |
| Applications Due | October 10 |
| Awards Announced | December |
| Award Acceptance Due | January 10, 2024 |
| Post-Grant Report Due | November 30 |
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Bellevue's Arts Funding Programs - 2024 - Bellevue Arts & Culture (smapply.io)
2024 Guidelines
Directrices para la subvención de proyectos de 2024
2023 Regular Grant Schedule
2023 Grant Schedule
Applicants can manage applications via the Bellevue Arts portal.
| Application Portal Opens | August 16, 2022 |
| Applications Due | October 3 |
| Awards Announced | December 31 |
| Award Acceptance Due | January 10, 2023 |
| Post-Grant Report Due | November 20* |
*The final deadline for grant reports and invoices is November 20, 2023. No grant awards will be issued for reports received after this date. Please note this date has changed; prior notices stated November 30th; however, passthrough funds require reporting earlier this year.
Eastside Arts Partnership Support Grants
Eastside Arts Partnership Support Grants
We partner with organizations to offer high-quality arts, cultural and heritage programs in Bellevue. EAP provides operating support to bring the arts to the community, recognizing the value the arts bring to our quality of life, the education and development of our children, the vitality of our businesses, and our sense of connection to the community. Applicants can request up to $10,000. Applying nonprofits must have a 501 (c) 3 designation or a 501 (c) 3 fiscal sponsor and provide publicly accessible programming.
2023 Guidelines for Eastside Arts Partnership Support Grants
Guidelines can be requested by emailing mstamm@bellevuewa.gov. Please note that the EAP grants have changed since 2022. The next open application period for EAP grants will be 2024 for the 2025-26 funding cycle.
Add-on Grant Opportunity
While applying for an EAP grant, applicants can choose to apply for an additional $5,000 add-on, the PowerUp for Equal Access bonus grant. This opportunity aims to fill arts and cultural gaps for underserved communities.
Project Grants
Project Grants
Project grants, formally called Special Project grants, provide funding for arts, cultural and heritage projects that serve residents and visitors in Bellevue, Washington. We encourage innovative projects by artists, individuals, and arts organizations that fill cultural gaps and inspire new forms of creative participation.
Applicants can request two levels of funding, $1,000 and $2,000. Non-profit organizations applying for a Project Grant may request up to $3,000. Projects must take place in 2023.
2023 Guidelines for Project Grants
Guidelines can be requested by emailing mstamm@bellevuewa.gov. Please note that the Project grants have changed since 2022.
Add-on Grant Opportunity
While applying for a Project Grant, applicants can choose to apply for an additional $1,000 add-on, the BelRed Arts District bonus grant. This opportunity aims to incentivize the activation of and work to bring the BelRed Arts District to life.
One-Time Project Grants for Organizations
One-Time Project Grants for Organizations (Program closed to new applications)
The City Council recently approved a one-time conversion of the Arts CIP budget to the general fund, following the request of a letter from the Arts Commission. This one-time conversion of funds will be combined with a small remainder of a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant to provide one-time support for projects administered by organizations in Bellevue.
Project grants provide funding for arts, cultural and heritage projects that serve residents and visitors in Bellevue. We encourage innovative projects that fill cultural gaps and inspire new forms of creative participation. Nonprofit organizations applying for a project grant may request one of three levels of funding: $3,000, $5,000 or $7,000. Projects must take place in 2023.
Timeline
| Application Portal Opens | January 11 2023 |
| Applications Due | February 13 |
| Awards announced | April |
| Award Acceptance Due | April 30 |
| Post-Grant Report Due | November 20* |
City of Bellevue Logo
City of Bellevue Logo
Organizations receiving funding from the City of Bellevue must acknowledge this grant support, at a minimum, in printed programs, or if programs are not appropriate, in signage visible to the public, as well as in digital media dedicated to the funded activities. In addition, we appreciate any opportunities where the public is invited to participate in events and activities. The visibility recipient organizations provide informs Bellevue residents on how their tax dollars support the arts in the community.