Cultural Funding Committee - 2027 Activation Grant Info Session 09-22-2026

The City of Wichita Cultural Funding Committee held an informational session on September 22, 2026, for its 2027 Activation Grant. The program expects approximately $90,000 to be available, with requests ranging from $500 to $10,000; last year’s awards averaged about $3,300. Eligible applicants include individual artists, artist groups, and arts and culture nonprofits, with funding available for either creating art or professional development/capacity building. Applications are due October 12, 2026. The committee will review applications, score them using a 15-point rubric, and deliberate with the goal of supporting a diverse range of artistic genres. Staff will take recommendations to City Council, with awards expected in early January 2027 if approved; no vote or award decision occurred at this information session.

Grant funds must be used for authorized purposes in 2027. Recipients will be required to document expenditures and close out projects by January 31, 2028; programmatic recipients will also track attendance. The session covered application requirements, budgeting, eligibility, and new application features, including a direct funding-request question and optional video upload. Applicants receiving capacity-building awards must wait one year before reapplying, while recipients of project funding must wait two years. No contracts, vendor selections, or purchasing decisions were identified.