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Flagstaff approves Creative Flagstaff as lead arts agency and grantmaker, allocates $740,000 for grants
Summary
City council approved a multi-part contract naming Creative Flagstaff the lead arts, culture and science agency and the grant-making agency for BBB-funded arts and culture programs, including a record allocation of roughly $490,000 to 39 nonprofits this cycle and $740,000 in grants administration funds.
The Flagstaff City Council voted May 20 to approve contract number 2025-176 with Creative Flagstaff to serve both as the city’s lead arts, culture and science agency and its grant-making agency for BBB-funded programs.
City community investment director David McIntyre told council the contract followed a two-part procurement process guided by a recent public study of BBB arts and science funding. The contract funds a combination of ongoing operational support and one-time project funds. The package includes $275,575 for Creative Flagstaff’s lead-agency work (including $100,000 earmarked for festivals and events) and a $740,000 grants administration pool to be distributed to eligible nonprofits. McIntyre said $440,000 of that grant pool will be ongoing and the remainder one-time funding.
Julie, executive director of Creative Flagstaff, addressed council and highlighted immediate grant recommendations and upcoming programming. She said a grant-review committee recommended funding 39 arts and science nonprofit organizations with a record allocation of about $490,000 this cycle and described exhibitions and youth programming scheduled in coming weeks, including the Future is Indigenous exhibition at the Coconino Center for the Arts and ArtX activations.
Council members praised the organization’s work and asked about specific resources. McIntyre and Julie described Creative Flagstaff’s Digital Resource Center (digital media lab) and professional-development workshops offered to artists and nonprofits. The contract requires Creative Flagstaff to convene grant-review panels (with city staff participation), present grant processes to staff and council annually, and follow prescribed reporting requirements.
Discussion vs. decision: staff described procurement and funding details and Creative Flagstaff described programing (discussion). Council approved the contract and authorized the city manager to execute the documents (decision).
Ending: Council’s approval funds ongoing arts-sector capacity building and a larger-than-usual grant pool intended to expand operating support for local arts and science nonprofits.
