Budget & Finance Committee approves Metro Arts grant criteria, allocates 40% to artist "Thrive" program

Summary

The committee approved a resolution adopting grant criteria for Metro Arts that shifts funding toward individual artists through the Thrive program, establishes a fiscal sponsorship option for non‑501(c)(3) artists, and clarifies the spending window through June 30; the measure passed after an amendment and final vote.

The Metropolitan Budget & Finance Committee on Jan. 21 approved a resolution (RS 2025-961) adopting criteria for Metro Arts’ FY25 operating and Thrive grant programs and directing the agency to implement new rules for funding distribution and fiscal sponsorship.

The resolution, as amended, sets a funding split that allocates 40% of the Metro Arts grant budget to the Thrive program for individual artists and artist collectives and 60% to operating grants for organizations. The committee passed the amendment and the final resolution by unanimous votes (amendment: 13-0; final: 13-0).

Why it matters: the action changes how Metro distributes arts dollars, reducing the largest organizational awards and increasing support for independent artists and smaller organizations after a yearlong application backlog. Metro Arts staff said the changes are intended to promote a more equitable distribution of funds and to address delays in the FY25 grant cycle.

Metro Arts’ interim executive director, Ashley Bachelder, told the committee the package is meant to finish awards for applications submitted a year ago and to get the agency back on schedule for FY26. “We are already a little bit behind on FY26 as well. I…

Budget & Finance Committee approves Metro Arts grant criteria, allocates 40% to artist "Thrive" program

Summary

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