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Parks staff outline arts and culture grant rollout as applicants press for timelines and clarity
Summary
City staff updated the commission on cycle 2 contracting and preparations for cycle 3 of the expanded arts and culture grant program, while community grantees pressed for clearer eligibility language and faster disbursements for youth scholarships.
City parks staff told commissioners they are working to finalize contracting and fund disbursements for cycle 2 of the expanded arts and culture grant program and will launch two Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) for cycle 3 on June 30. Grantees and applicants in public comment urged clarity on eligibility and faster timelines for awards and scholarship grants.
Assistant Director Shelby McNab said staff have begun one-on-one meetings with cycle 2 awardees to enable contracting, prioritized groups that had received no funds, and are exploring procurement options (SharePoint vs. Submittable) to streamline document submission. She outlined two agreement tracks — standard grant agreements for organizations that have not yet started work and settlement-style agreements for groups that already began projects — and said staff are hiring three positions (program administrator, community outreach specialist and community coordinator) to help administer the program; recruitments are in active interview phases.
Community representatives raised concerns. Aaron Burr, who identified himself as executive director of Arts Enrichment for All, said a youth scholarship fund with a March award timeline has been delayed and asked whether awards will be made before the fiscal year ends or be rolled into the next cycle. Online commenters representing local arts nonprofits (including Care Fresno and Iranian Culture and Artwork of Fresno) requested clarification about eligibility language that appeared to list religious organizations as ineligible and asked for clearer application guidance and a staff contact for questions.
Shelby McNab and parks staff pointed to the program webpage and provided a specific email and phone line for applicant questions; they said the cycle 3 guidelines were sent to City Council and that an ad hoc PRA guidelines committee will provide recommendations to the council on June 18. Staff said more details and timelines will appear on the NOFOs and the city website when released.
Next steps: staff will continue one-on-one contracting with cycle 2 awardees, finalize the NOFOs for release on June 30, continue recruitments for administrative positions, and provide follow-up information to applicants about eligibility language and timeline expectations.
