At the June 10, 2016 meeting of the Sparks Tourism and Revitalization Committee, the group was voting on amendments to the Victorian Square Master Plan, which was last amended in 2008. The committee directed $150,000 to be spent on public art as directed by the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee (ACAC). The ACAC, led by staff, would like to apply for a National Endowment for the Arts “Our Town/Placemaking” Grant to be submitted in September 2017.

NEA “Our Town Grants” focus on areas in which construction and development have already been assigned and coordinated. The Our Town grant program “supports creative placemaking projects that help to transform communities into lively, beautiful, and resilient places with the arts at their core.” (From NEA.gov)

The type of project the grant considers:

“Arts Engagement, Cultural Planning, and Design Projects. These projects represent the distinct character and quality of their communities. These projects require a partnership between a nonprofit organization and a local government entity, with one of the partners being a cultural organization. Matching grants range from $25,000 to $200,000.” (From NEA.gov)

The ACAC is working closely with the Nevada Arts Council on a “Creativity Connects” roundtable to be held in June or July and facilitated by a national known expert in cultural/historic districts. This is being funded by the state through a separate NEA grant. The outcome of this roundtable could provide some preliminary data to help us develop a strong, community supported proposal and identify our non-profit community partners as it is required by the grant.

The last time the City of Sparks received funds directly from the National Endownment for the Arts was in 1999. It was to develop a Cultural Plan for the City.

If approved as presented, the budget of $150,000 from the Sparks Tourism and Revitalization Committee could be matched up to $150,000 to increase the funds to $300,000. These funds cannot be used for construction, but could be used for design fees, preparing space for an exhibit, installation or de-installation of art, and community planning. If approved, estimated time to begin on plan, design and development would begin Spring 2018.

1.  Council may choose not to approve staff to apply for funds through the National Endowment for the Arts "Our Town" Grant Program.  This alternative will result in 100% of the project cost being limited to the amount allocated to the $150,000 from the Downtown Facilities Revitaliation Committee.

2.  Council may choose to approve staff to apply for funds through the National Endowment for the Arts "Our Town" Grant Program.

I move to approve applying for funds through the National Endowment for the Arts "Our Town" Grant Program.