The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs has opened a new round of grant opportunities to build more culturally vibrant communities, the agency announced.

For the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1, the department’s grant opportunities and community designation programs are designed to boost creative placemaking, a strategy that puts arts, culture, history, historic preservation and media production at the center of community and economic development efforts. The grants can support the state’s creative workforce, help Iowans revitalize a historic district, launch a creative communitywide project, or showcase a community in a film project, to name a few examples.

The 11 new grant categories range alphabetically from Artist Catalyst Grants to School Arts Experience Grants.

“Iowa’s artists, cultural nonprofits and creative entrepreneurs are developing projects for their communities and programs for Iowans to engage in lifelong learning,” Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Chris Kramer said. “These new competitive grants will jump-start exciting initiatives that help communities compete for future residents as our state is focusing on building our workforce.”

The Iowa Arts Council will offer a series of program webinars and hold regularly scheduled office hours at which applicants can direct their individual questions to IAC staff. Visit the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs grants page for details.