Art in the Parks

Eligibility Requirements

• The Art in the Parks grant is open to all organizations and individuals headquartered/physically residing within Lane County. 
• Proposed programming must take place between June 1 and October 31, 2023.
• Programs should be made as accessible as possible for community members. If the event is not free to attend, then a portion of tickets must be offered for free or on a sliding scale.
• Applicants must provide a 1:1 cash, in-kind and/or volunteer time match for the project that equals the amount of your Art in the Parks grant award (i.e., if the City awards you $1,000 then you must also contribute at least $1,000 toward your project costs). Your total match amount should consist of one or any combination of the following:
  • Cash: either already secured or additional funds you anticipate raising through sponsorships or other fundraising.
  • In-Kind: this includes donated materials and supplies, valued at full retail or rental cost.
  • Volunteer time: value each hour of volunteer time given to the project at the nationally-established rate of $29.95 per hour.
  • Please note: you can choose to use In-Kind or Volunteer time as 100% of your match.
• Applicants may submit proposals for as many as two programs, in which case a complete and separate proposal for each project is required.
• There cannot be an open litigation or claim with the City of Eugene.

Application Process

Read the tabs on eligibility requirements, selection criteria and timeline to learn more about the Art in the Parks.

Prepare before filling out your application by reviewing the list of application questions (PDF).

Fill out the Art in the Parks application. Applications must be submitted by noon (PST) on April 17, 2023 to be considered. Creating an account allows you to save your progress and return at a later date.

Selection Criteria

• To what extent will programming promote arts and cultural participation in Eugene parks and meet the goals of Art in the Parks?
• Does the applicant demonstrate the capacity to produce the proposed programming and display excellence in planning? Does the applicant have experience administering and producing similar programming?
• To what extent does the project contribute to the well-being of the community the applicant serves and/or represents?
• To what extent will the project be accessible, safe and welcoming for attendees? If the project touches on difficult or traumatic subject matter for others in your project, how will the applicant navigate that? Will partnering organizations be involved who can help navigate?
• How will the project include equitable decision making, collaboration, consultation, participation, empowerment and/or deepen relationships with the communities the applicant serves and/or represents?
• Does the project allow for flexibility/scaling? For example, will this project be produced successfully if awarded a smaller amount than requested? Is this project adaptable to last minute changes in the event of unforeseen circumstances (i.e., inclement weather or wildfire smoke)?

Eligible Parks

All parks listed in CivicRec are open for reservation. Click on each park to view amenities and rates. Keep in mind that higher-use parks like Hendricks Park, Maurie Jacobs Park, Alton Baker Park and Owen Rose Garden are very popular and reservation dates fill up quickly.

Please submit your park rental inquiry form if you have a date and location you would like to reserve for your event. If the date and location are available, then Parks and Open Space will hold that spot until awardees are selected. Applicants who are not selected and wish to continue with their event will be required to follow the reservation process.

Note that not all parks have water, electricity or restroom services, and not all parks allow alcohol or amplified sound. Exceptions will be considered for amplified sound upon grant award with written permission.

Awardee Expectations

If awarded, Cultural Services expects the awarded individual/organization to:

• Conduct all marketing and promotion of their program. Cultural Services will provide some social media and website marketing support, but awardees are responsible for all other marketing efforts. Cultural Services will provide a marketing toolkit to give awardees ideas and tips for promoting their own events.
• Include the City of Eugene Cultural Services logo on all visual marketing materials for the program, and/or the written name in program press releases or other written information.
• Awardees are required to apply, submit and pay for all necessary fees associated with their event (i.e., the park rental fee will be paid to Parks and Open Space by the awardee).
• Submit documentation and permits at least 30 days before the event.
• Upon completion of the program, complete a brief report and provide the City with 3-5 high-quality, copyright-free digital photographs of the program for use in future City promotions.
• Awardees will receive 80% of the funds upon award notification and 20% upon completion of their program with final report due no later than November 15, 2023.

Support from Cultural Services

In addition to funding, Art in the Parks awardees will also receive:

• An initial consultation with the City’s Cultural Services staff, including advisement on permits and scheduling a meeting with the departments issuing relevant permits.
• Communication with the City’s Cultural Services staff to support the program.
• A marketing toolkit and information about best practices for promoting the event.
• Some publicity through Cultural Services social media and website marketing (awardees are expected to use the provided marketing toolkit and their own experience and resources to promote their programs).
• Access to available City equipment including tables, chairs and canopies.

Support from Parks and Open Space

• Place a temporary hold on the date and location for grant applicants.
• Review applications to ensure event proposals meet park rental standards. Special requests will be considered by Parks and Open Space leadership in collaboration with Cultural Services.
• Provide Parks and Open Space representation on selection committee.
• Communicate to awardees the timeline for submitting payment and required documentation.
• Provide awardees logistical support from the Park Operations supervisors leading up to the event.
• Provide awardees site visits as the event approaches.
• Seek feedback from awardees at the completion of the event.

2023 Timeline

Applications must be submitted by noon (PST) on April 17 to be considered for the 2023 season. Awards will be announced on May 5. Programming must occur between June 1 and October 31, 2023. 

• March 17: call opens
• March 23: online public info session
• April 17, noon (PST): call closes
• May 1, 1-5pm, Selection Committee meeting
• May 5: recipients announced
• June 1 - October 31, 2023: time period for events to occur

2024 Timeline

Next year, the Art in the Parks grant timeline will begin in Fall 2023 with applications opening in September and awards announced in October. This timeline allows next year’s programming to be included in the 2024 Parks and Open Space reservation system that begins in December.