Downtown Arts & Culture Impact Grants
The Missoula Downtown Foundation enhances and promotes the Spirit and Heritage of the greater Downtown Missoula area, now and for future generations.
The Arts & Culture Impact Grants utilize private resources to support the beautification, historical preservation, and general livability of Downtown Missoula. The Missoula Downtown Foundation supports placemaking projects that celebrate Downtown Missoula as the cultural center of our community.
Focus
Placemaking projects reimagine public spaces and contribute to an inviting, healthy, vibrant community. The Foundation’s Arts & Culture Impact Grants aim to create connectivity to Downtown, capitalize on community assets, and create bonds among residents, visitors, and Downtown Missoula. Placemaking projects can transform identified spaces in Downtown Missoula and strengthen the connection people have with the Missoula community. The Foundation supports public and private entities, organizations, groups, and or individuals that:
- Make Downtown Missoula better for future generations
Figure i: Rendering of a space downtown transformed with a mural. Bartholet, Dave. Brook Trout. - Support the cultural, social, and economic uniqueness that is Downtown Missoula
- Create long-lasting positive change in Downtown Missoula
- Complete projects within six months
- Complete projects that are inclusive of all individuals
The Foundation will consider impactful and sustainable projects that focus on:
- Heritage and historic preservation
- Arts & culture
- Safety, livability, walkability
- Alley activation
- Compliance with the goals of the Downtown Master Plan, the North Riverside Parks & Trails Plan, or the Heritage Interpretive Plan
Available Funding
The MDF Board of Directors is dedicated to ensure the Foundation’s resources will have a significant impact on small-scale projects for Downtown Missoula. MDF will allocate $15,000 each year to fund up to two projects per year.
Artists are encouraged to submit proposals with accurate projected costs even if those costs exceed the $5,000 available funding from the MDF. Although not guaranteed, building owners are often enthusiastic to provide additional funds to help bridge the funding gap to activate their spaces.
Donate
Interested in supporting more art for our community? Donations to the Missoula Downtown Foundation can be directed specifically to the Arts & Culture Impact Grant.
Donate HereAvailable Space
Unsure what spaces are available? Downtown is host to a multitude of public spaces and private buildings ready for mural activation! Below are a few spaces identified for alley activation. What do you envision the space would look like with your art?
- South Face Wall of Worden’s Market (451 N. Higgins)
Site Details:
1.) Full wall, project can be three-phased or done all together
2.) 1,250sq.ft painted cinder block surface
3.) Owner is open to any ideas! Art types that interest the owner are multi-dimensional abstract pieces or something interactive to the viewer.
- Have a building you would be interested in putting your art on?
Don’t feel limited by the available spaces- we would love to see where your vision takes you and where you would like to see your art Downtown.
Connect with the DMP office at [email protected] or call us at (406) 543-4238 to share your ideas or discover more about potential locations for your artwork!
Evaluation Criteria
![](https://www.missouladowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Dog-Mural.png)
The MDF Board of Directors will review submitted applications for:
- Artistic quality and merit of the project
- The extent to which the project leverages investment in the MDF mission and Downtown priority projects
- Alignment with current Downtown Master Plans, priorities, and focus areas
- Sustainability of the completed project
- Applicant qualifications
- Located within Downtown Master Plan Boundary (found below)
![](https://www.missouladowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Downtown-Master-Plan-Boundary-800x494.png)
Application
Past Projects
2024
Title: The Dorothy Dragon
Artist: Lillian Nelson
Hometown: Missoula, MT
Description: Spanning over 115 feet in length, 28 feet in height, and three walls the Dorothy Dragon came to life in the summer of 2024. The dragon meanders through 19 windows on the West face and breathes fire up a chimney that has historically kept residents warm inside the Dorothy apartment building for the past century.
Title: Free Flow
Artist: Kelsey Dzintars
Hometown: Bozeman, MT
Description: The Downtown Headquarters building, shared with Trail West Bank at 218 E Main Street, received a facelift in July of 2024. Completed in one scolding hot week, artist Kelsey Dzintars brought Free Flow to life, exemplifying the natural beauty of Missoula and its surrounding rivers/valleys.
2023
Title: Greetings from Missoula
Artist: Tanya Lee Yarrow
Hometown: Missoula, MT
Description: Completed in 10 weeks during the summer of 2023, this mural depicts many of the activities Missoulians know and love. It captures the essence and representation of the city and has become a focal point for locals and tourists alike to enjoy.
Title: Filling the Void
Artist: Missoula Art Museum’s Teen Art Project with artist leads April Werle, Krissy Ramirez and Janaína Vieira-Marques
Hometown: Missoula, MT
Description: Two murals on adjacent alley walls along the 100 block of West Broadway created in the summer of 2023 through the Missoula Art Museum’s Teen Art Project. The murals are a juxtaposition of indoor to outdoor scenes and include ceramic elements throughout the piece.