The primary goal of the Public Art in Community program is to support Mississippi communities in creating vibrant destinations through community-engaged design, installation, and activation—through a multi-year concert series—of accessible public art. Successful applicants will demonstrate: the capacity to successfully manage and execute all project phases within the grant period; the ability to facilitate inclusive and meaningful community conversations to drive the project; a record of collaboration with a wide range of partners; and a commitment to representing Mississippi’s legacy of artistic excellence. 

The Public Art in Community grant supports three project phases: 1) community-driven design of the public art piece; 2) public art installation; 3) activation of the public art piece through a Levitt AMP free concert series. 

MAC encourages communities to take inspiration from creative and community-driven public art installations from neighbors and communities across the country. Memphis’s “Bicycle Gateway,” a structure created by artist Tylur French using more than 300 painted bicycles, tricycles, and wheelchairs, connects East Overton Park to Hampline Trail. In the Mississippi Delta, the Mathews-Sanders Sculpture Garden represents a peaceful oasis where viewers can explore a collection of permanent and rotating sculptures on a publicly accessible portion of Delta State University’s campus. Public art installations may even include the use of cutting-edge technology, such as Denver, Colorado’s “Resonance,” a large-scale, interactive wall-relief illumination artwork that can be activated with a public microphone. Situated on the Atlanta Beltline, Adana Tillman and Marryam Moma’s “Quilts in the Sky” represents an interdisciplinary collaboration that seeks to uplift and unify community. Toledo, Ohio’s Field of Histories represents a deep collaboration between artist and community that brings their collective history to life. Artist Bryony Roberts crafted 200 laser-engraved glass orbs that feature objects with historical significance which were identified by community members. And finally, in Raleigh, North Carolina, art and design studio Daily tous les jours created Musical Swings, an interactive art piece that explores human cooperation in public spaces.   

Publicly accessible and centrally located, the public art installations will serve as the backdrop for the multi-year Levitt AMP concert series, but the location could also be activated for farmers and art markets, festivals, community celebrations, and more.  

Community Convenings 

Community-driven design is a key component of the Public Art in Community Grant. Applicants must include a plan for hosting inclusive community convenings to garner community buy-in and feedback for the installation and music series. MAC has partnered with the Mississippi Humanities Council and Carl Small Town Center, who will provide in-kind support for facilitated community engagement activities. 

Levitt Concert Series

Awardees will also receive a three-year matching Levitt Foundation AMP grant of $40K per year, for a total grant award of $120K, to present 10 free outdoor concerts each year that activate the site of a new public art installation, creating a vibrant community destination. 

Eligible applicants include:

• Community-focused, Mississippi-based 501(c)3 non-profit organizations who conducts regular public programming. State agencies, cities, counties, municipal organizations, schools, and universities are not eligible to apply, though partnerships with these entities are encouraged.
  • MAC considers an organization to be community-focused if it has a mission and ongoing activities that relate to community development through arts, culture, culinary, educational, tourism, or other public programming aimed at increasing the economic vitality and quality of life in their communities. 
• Organizations in good standing with MAC. The organization must not have any outstanding reports or unresolved issues related to past or current grants from the agency. 
• Either the owners of the building/land where the publicly accessible art installation will be located, or a partner organization who has the owner’s documented support. The art installation can be located on privately-owned space or property as long as the location meets the public accessibility criteria and with documented consent of the property owner. 

Organizations must request the full $15,000 MAC grant and demonstrate a minimum $15,000 cash match toward the public art installation. In addition, two state-wide partners will provide further funding to the creation of the public art installations. Visit Mississippi will award a $7,500 grant. Main Street Mississippi will award a $5,000 grant, if the grantee is or is partnering with a registered local Main Street. These added grants do not require additional cash matches. Sources of matching funds may include revenue from the project activities, contributions from foundations or corporations, government support from federal or local sources, or cash from the organization’s own accounts. Grantees cannot match MAC funding with other state funds. 

In-kind contributions cannot be counted as part of a cash match for the art installation. In-kind contributions are the dollar value of materials and services that are provided to a project at no cash cost from sources other than the applicant, i.e., volunteer hours or donated space. However, it is important to document and include information on in-kind contributions as part of the application budget. In-kind donations help to demonstrate a community’s support of a project. 

Awardees will also receive a three-year matching Levitt Foundation AMP Grant of $40K per year, for a total grant award of $120K, to present 10 free outdoor concerts each year that activate the site of a new public art installation, creating a vibrant community destination. 

Starting July 1, Mississippi-based, community-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits who are interested in applying for the Public Art in Community Grant should submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) through E-Grant. The LOI submission deadline is July 15. Upon login, click “Apply” in the top left corner, then select “Public Art in Community” from the list of available applications. These proposals will be reviewed by MAC staff, and eligible organizations will be invited to submit a full application in August. To be considered for funding, applications must be submitted and authorized by the grant deadline. A panel made up of representatives from MAC partner organizations will virtually convene in early October. 

All forms (Letter of Intent, Application, and Final Report) must be submitted through MAC’s E-Grant system. Before submitting an application, MAC recommends you thoroughly read the information for this program below and MAC’s Frequently Asked Questions. 

Levitt AMP is a multi-year matching grant opportunity bringing the joy of free, live music to small to mid-sized towns and cities.  

Geared to towns and cities with populations under 250,000, Levitt AMP grantees reflect the three goals of the Levitt AMP program: Amplify community pride and a city’s unique character; enrich lives through the power of free, live Music; and illustrate the importance of inclusive and vibrant public Places. From rural Alaska to Appalachian Main Streets and Midwestern locales, the Levitt AMP Music Series is a catalytic opportunity engaging a wide range of towns and cities across America to realize a shared mission—building community through music to create a healthy and thriving future for all. 

In addition to financial support, the Levitt Foundation provides grant recipients with valuable resources including best practices, program frameworks, toolkits, and trainings to deepen impact in their communities. 

Launched in 2015, the Levitt Foundation has provided funding to more than 50 communities coast to coast through the Levitt AMP program, activating underused public spaces, ensuring access to the arts and strengthening the social fabric of communities through creative placemaking, bringing people together of all ages and backgrounds through free, outdoor concert series. 

Disbursements & Matching Funds 

• Two Mississippi-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits will each receive a three-year matching grant of $40K per year, for a total grant award of $120K, to present 10 free outdoor concerts each year that activate the site of a new public art installation, creating a vibrant community destination. 

• Grantees receive the annual funding in three installments: 25% will be disbursed 10 weeks prior to the launch of the Levitt AMP Music Series; 50% will be disbursed six weeks before the launch of the concert series; and the final 25% will be disbursed upon completion of the concert series and submission of a final report. 

• The Levitt Music Series Grants is a dollar for dollar matching grant program, so the minimum amount an organization must raise in matching funds is the amount equal to the Levitt Music Series Grant award, of which half must be cash and the remaining amount of the matching funds requirement may be in-kind. For example, the total grant award is $40K, so the matching funds requirement is $40K, of which a minimum of $20K must be raised in cash and the remaining $20K may be in-kind. Each grantee submits a report prior to the first funds disbursement listing their matching funds, including the amounts and funding sources. 

Programming 

• The frequency of Levitt Music Series concerts may be weekly, split into two seasons (for example, spring season/fall season), or every other week. 

• Each Levitt Music Series features a musically diverse lineup of high-caliber talent, including local, regional and national artists. 

• All concerts are family-friendly, attracting audiences of all ages and backgrounds. 

Resources & Support 

• To ensure each grantee is positioned for success, grantees receive a Levitt Music Series Toolkit containing valuable resources, such as sample artist contract, sample press release, hosted page on levitt.org, eblast and social media templates, sponsorship package examples, list of talent managers, access to the Levitt Artist Booking Consultant, consultation with staff at the national Levitt Foundation, and more. 

• Grantees attend a Levitt Convening in Los Angeles (expenses covered by the Levitt Foundation) to learn best practices, exchange ideas, and develop peer-to-peer connections. 

Apply online using  E-Grant . Faxed, mailed, or emailed applications are not accepted for this grant program. Please review the guides and video tutorials available on MAC’s Frequently Asked Questions page, then contact MAC staff if you have any questions. page, then contact MAC staff if you have any questions. 

Please be prepared to submit the following information through the E-Grant system: 

• A SAM.gov Unique Entity ID (UEI). Due to federal regulations, MAC will be unable to award any funding to organizations that fail to provide this information. It is 100% free for an organization to request a UEI, and you need not complete the full SAM.gov registration in order to obtain your ID. Follow the steps outlined in this guide to obtain your organization’s UEI, or click here to view a video which provides a detailed explanation of the SAM.gov Unique Entity ID (UEI). For further assistance in obtaining a SAM.gov UEI, you can reach the help desk by calling 866-606-8220 to speak to a registration specialist. 

• Narrative (three-page maximum) in which you provide an overview of your organization and address the Public Art in Community review criteria 

• Budget Itemization that explains in greater detail each expense and source of income included in the Budget section of the application.  

• A list of your board of directors. 

• Current biographies (one half page maximum for each) of the personnel who will be involved in this project, both paid and volunteer. Do not substitute bios with resumés. 

• A copy of letters of agreement or signed contracts between your organization and the artists or consultants participating in the project that have been finalized as of the application deadline. If arrangements with the artist(s) have not yet been finalized, please submit a plan for securing these agreements. This should include a list of the artists you are considering and/or the Request for Proposal, details on the selection process, and a timeline for completing this work. 

• A current brochure, resume, or portfolio link for the artist(s) whose work will be supported through the grant.  

• If your project involves a partnership with another organization (or organizations), please provide letters of intent from these partners. The letters should clearly explain each partner’s role in the project. 

• A copy of your official IRS 501(c)3 determination letter. You do not need to send a copy of the letter if your organization has applied for a grant from MAC in the past three years 

Applications should be complete, including all required information and materials. Incomplete applications, defined as applications missing one or more of the above-listed documents, will not be considered for funding and will be returned to the applicant. 

For guidance on grant writing, please see Tips for Writing Grant Applications. 

Public Art in Community Grant applications are reviewed using the following criteria: 

1. Project Goals and Outcomes (20 points) 

• The applicant states the main goals that their organization has for the project 
• The applicant describes the activities that are necessary to achieve their goals 

2. Quality of Project Activities and their Artistic Excellence (30 points) 

• The application lists the artists and artistic staff involved in the project and their qualifications 
• The main project activities are adequately described with all critical information included 

3. Public Participation and Access (30 points) 

• The applicant describes everyone involved in planning and participating in the project 
• The project planners and participants reflect the demographics of the community or the organization has explained how they are working towards that goal 

4. Ability to Achieve Goals and Evaluate Success (20 points) 

• The staff or project leaders are described, including their qualifications 
• The project is supported by the community 
  Appropriate partnerships with other organizations (when applicable) have been arranged 
• Proper financial controls are in place 
• The plans for promoting and evaluating the project are included 
• For more information on preparing your evaluation, see Evaluating Projects and Programs. 

MAC and its grant recipients are contractually committed to abide by state and federal regulations that bar discrimination based on race, color, national origin, disability, age, or sex and require accessibility for persons with disabilities.

All grant recipients must assure compliance as required by these federal acts:

• Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which bar discrimination of federally assisted projects based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or handicap;
• The Fair Labor Standards Act, which requires paying professional performers, artists, related and support personnel, laborers, and mechanics at or about the minimum compensation level for persons employed in similar activities;
• The Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, which prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance in conducting any federally assisted activity; and
• Executive Order 12549, which requires certification from the grant applicant that neither it nor its principals are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in any federal program.

The eligible period for the public art installation is November 2025 – June 30, 2026. The Levitt Foundation will support the grantee in activating their public art site through hosting an annual series of 10 free outdoor concerts in 2026, 2027, and 2028. MAC anticipates issuing Public Art in Community grant contracts in November 2025.

• Jul. 15 – Letter of Intent deadline (11:59 PM)
• Aug. 28 – Full Application Deadline (11:59 PM)
• Sept. – Application Review by MAC
• Oct. – Panel Review & Board Announcement of Grants