To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Maia Yates, Special Project Analyst
Title
Discussion/Direction of Applications for the 2025-2026 Art and Culture Grant Program
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
A grant panel consisting of members of the Public Art Commission and Town staff is presenting a discussion and direction item to Town Council for the recommendation of application approvals for the 2025-2026 Art and Culture Grant Program.
Funded through the Public Art Fund, the Town of Castle Rock’s annual Art and Culture Grant Program supports vibrant art and culture initiatives that enrich the community and foster creativity. The program provides funding to nonprofit organizations, businesses, government agencies, artists and educators to enhance Castle Rock’s cultural landscape through innovative programming, projects and educational opportunities.
Three grant categories are available:
• Art and Culture Program Grants - up to five grants of up to $10,000 each to support workshops, classes, performances, events and educational programming
• Art and Culture Project Grants - up to five grants of up to $5,000 each to support visual or experiential public art installations
• Art and Culture Educator Grants - up to ten grants of up to $1,000 each to support art and cultural education initiatives in schools or other educational formats
Applications were reviewed by a panel composed of Public Art Commission members, Town staff and a Councilmember. The panel assessed proposals based on criteria including community impact, artistic and cultural merit, feasibility, organizational capacity and budget justification.
For the 2025-2026 grant cycle, 17 applications were received. Following a detailed review and scoring process, the panel recommends six for approval. Common concerns among the remaining applications included incomplete proposals, unclear or missing site approvals, insufficient project readiness, limited alignment with the program’s funding intent and impacts that were not commensurate with the funding requested. To improve future participation and outcomes, the panel will host an informational session, clarify grant guidelines and move the 2026-2027 application window earlier-opening in winter 2025 and closing in spring 2026-to better prepare applicants.
2025-2026 grant recommendations for approval include the following applicants, each representing a strong alignment with the Town’s goals of fostering creativity, accessibility and community engagement through art and cultural programming:
• AerialWorks - Project Grant ($5,000)
AerialWorks will present My Journey to the Land of the Dead, a theatrical aerial performance inspired by Día de los Muertos. Funding will support guest choreographers, professional performers, set design, lighting, costuming, and expanded advertising to reach wider audiences. The production will include five shows engaging local teen performers and semi-professional aerialists. This project enriches Castle Rock’s cultural landscape by blending theater, dance, and aerial arts in an accessible, family-friendly event for approximately 200 attendees.
• Castle Rock Band - Program Grant ($4,968)
The Castle Rock Community Band, a long-standing local ensemble with members ranging from students to retirees, will use grant funding to sustain its free public performance series. The funds will support music purchases, instrument maintenance and storage expenses. The band performs five to seven concerts annually, including patriotic and seasonal events, reaching audiences of up to 250 residents per show. This project preserves Castle Rock’s historic musical tradition and provides inclusive, no-cost cultural experiences.
• Castle Rock Music - Project Grant ($5,000)
Castle Rock Music will use its grant to complete a new Community Stage at its downtown location, providing a year-round venue for recitals, workshops and small performances. Funds will be directed toward sound and lighting system upgrades, additional seating, and production equipment, which will also benefit the Jazz in the Park summer series. The project will create a welcoming, alcohol-free performance space for students, educators and community members to gather, perform and celebrate local creativity.
• Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation - Project Grant ($4,715.15)
The Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation will commission a public artwork along Hangman’s Gulch Trail-a chainsaw-carved sculpture. The piece will depict a cowboy with a lasso, carved from an existing Ponderosa pine stump, honoring Castle Rock’s Western heritage. Grant funds will cover the artist’s commission fee and an identification plaque, with the Foundation contributing some additional funds. The project promotes art in public spaces, community pride and engagement through a public naming campaign and unveiling event.
• Tri Arts Project - Program Grant ($10,000)
Tri Arts Project (TAP) will host four quarterly art exhibitions and TAP Talk opening night events at the historic Cantril School Building throughout 2026. Grant funding will support exhibit setup, marketing, food and beverage service, judges’ stipends, awards and program printing. Each themed exhibition will feature local and regional artists and include short artist talks to foster community dialogue. The events will be free and open to the public, engaging 80-100 attendees per opening while expanding access to the visual arts in Castle Rock.
• William Faber - Educator Grant ($1,000)
Local educator William Faber will present a four-session Songwriting Workshop Series at Castle Rock Music, guiding participants through melody, harmony, lyric writing and orchestration. Grant funds will support instructor and operational fees, supplies, promotional materials and participant refreshments. The series will accommodate approximately 30 participants per four sessions, providing creative and educational opportunities for residents of all ages to explore music composition in an inclusive, community-based setting.
History of Past Town Council, Boards & Commissions, or Other Discussions
The Art and Culture Grant Program panel consisting of members of the Public Art Commission, Town staff and a Councilmember reviewed all submitted applications in August and September 2025 using an adopted grant rubric. Recommendations were finalized in early October 2025. The review panel intends to continue refining grant program guidelines and expectations based on applicant feedback to ensure consistent program outcomes in future grant cycles.
Budget Impact
Funding for the 2025-2026 Art and Culture Grant Program will be drawn from the Public Art Fund.
2025-2026 Art and Culture Grant Program Recommended Awards
|
Applicant |
Grant Type |
Requested Amount |
Recommended Amount |
|
AerialWorks |
Project Grant |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
|
Castle Rock Band |
Program Grant |
$4,968 |
$4,968 |
|
Castle Rock Music |
Project Grant |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
|
Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation |
Project Grant |
$4,715.15 |
$4,715.15 |
|
Tri Arts Project (TAP) |
Program Grant |
$10,000 |
$10,000 |
|
Will Faber |
Educator Grant |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
|
Total Recommended |
|
$30,683.15 |
$30,683.15 |
|
Panel Recommendation
The grant review panel recommends that Town Council approve the six applications listed above for the 2025-2026 Art and Culture Grant Program.
Proposed Motion
“I move to approve the grant awards as presented.”
Alternate Motions
“I move to approve the grant awards with the following conditions:” (list conditions)”
“I move to continue this item to the Town Council meeting on [date], at [time].”
Attachments
Attachment A - Grant Applications