Welcome

The purpose of the Façade Improvement Program (FIP) is to stimulate private sector investment in order to reduce blight, increase the overall tax base, and encourage investment, expansion, and rehabilitation of commercial and retail buildings within areas of the City that are experiencing a lack of investment. Please review the program guidelines and information below and reach out to our Economic Development Coordinator for more information. 

SECTION 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Purpose
   To create a more robust artistic and cultural community within the City, the Arts and Culture Grant Program (ACGP) enables local arts and cultural groups to host more events or complete more projects.
   
   
2. Funding Amount
   The Arts and Culture Commission has budgeted $6,000 for this program. This is a matching grant which requires the Applicant to provide $1.00 of additional funding for every $1.00 of grant funding. The maximum amount of any singular grant award from this program will be $1,000.
   
   
3. Number of Grants
   Each Applicant is eligible for one grant per award year.  An Applicant is defined as each individual organization. Grants will be awarded in June after a two-month application window.
   
   

SECTION 2: ELIGIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS

1. Applicants
   Eligibility for the Arts and Culture Grant Program shall be limited to non-profit organizations with a mission of promoting and supporting the arts and culture.
   
   
2. Eligible Use of Funds
   1. Reserving locations/spaces
   2. Paying entertainers/artists
   3. Purchasing supplies
   4. Purchasing marketing materials
   5. Acquiring City permits (if necessary)
      
      
3. Timing of Project Expenses
   The funds must be utilized within one year from when the grant was awarded. Awards are announced on June 1st, so awardees will have until May 31st of the following year to use the funds. If funds are unable to be used within that one-year period, the Applicant can request a one-year extension for consideration/approval by the Arts and Culture Commission and City Council.
   
   
4. Location of Event/Project
   The work proposed in the application (either event or project based) must occur within Hastings’ city-limits and made for public use/attendance.

SECTION 3: APPLICATION PROCEDURES (Application Window: March 1 - April 30)

1. Preliminary Discussion 
   Prior to submission of an application, the potential applicant shall discuss with Staff the proposed event and program requirements. 
   
   
2. Application Format
   Applicants shall submit an ACGP application package consisting of the following:
   1. Completed ACGP Application Form
   2. Cost estimates/quotes for expenses for the event/project
   3. Project description including installation location (if applicable)
   4. Event description including location, dates/times, and ticket costs (if applicable)
   5. Completed W9 form (required for fund disbursement)
      
      
3. Application Submittal 
   The completed application and all required attachments shall be submitted below. 
   
   

SECTION 4: REVIEW PROCESS

1. Staff Review
   Staff shall review the application for completeness and verification that the proposed project meets the standards and eligibility requirements of the program. Once an application is deemed complete, Staff will include it in the pool of applications for review at the May meeting of the Arts and Culture Commission. 
   
   
2. City Compliance
   All projects must follow City Codes and obtain City permits as needed.
   
   
3. Formal Review
   At the May meeting of the Arts and Culture Commission, they will meet to formally review the applications received during the application window. Applicants are encouraged to attend the meeting to provide additional information and/or answer questions from committee members. The Commission will vote on the six applications to recommend approval by the City Council. 
   
   
4. Notice of Award/Denial of Application 
   If the application is recommended for approval by the Arts and Culture Commission, and the City Council votes to approve the application, City Staff will notify the applicant. The Grant Application shall serve as the grant agreement. Grant awardees will be informed on June 1, 2026. 
   
   

SECTION 5: DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TO APPROVED APPLICANTS

1. Evidence of Expenditures and Disbursement of Funds
   This is a grant program. Applicants that are selected will receive the full amount of their requested funding. Applicants must provide documentation that the funds are being used for the event specified in the application. Any unused funds are to be returned to the Arts and Culture Commission. Applicants shall submit to the Commission the necessary documentation including but not limited to a copy of the invoices and receipts for the items surrounding the event for which the grant was approved. 
   
   

SECTION 6: PROJECT CLOSEOUT

1. Project Closeout
   The applicant will be required to provide photos of the event directly to the Arts and Culture Commission and list the City of Hastings Arts and Culture Commission a a financial contributor.

Group Contact Information

Project/Event Overview

Project/Event Description

Required Attachments

Tennessen Warning

Please take notice that any data received by the City as the result of submitting this form will be classified as government data pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13. Under the Data Practices Act, some or all of this data is classified as public data, including your name, address, email address, phone number, and other personal information provided by you. Public data is available to anyone requesting it and consists of all data furnished via this Web form. Please be advised that the correspondence will be added to the public record. The purpose and intended use of the information collected through this form is to obtain public input and data in support of City activities and services. You have the right to refuse to submit this form. If you choose not to submit this form, you will need to contact the City by another means if you wish to provide the information collected by the form.

By signing below, I (the applicant) certify that all information provided in this application (and its attachments) is true and correct to the best of my/our knowledge. Furthermore, I agree to provide any addition information as may be requested by the City of Hastings and the Arts and Culture Commission.