The Atlanta BeltLine is one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States. This network of public parks, multi-use trails, transit, and affordable housing along a historic 22-mile railroad corridor is enhancing mobility, connecting intown neighborhoods, and improving economic opportunity and sustainability.
2024-2025 Business Façade pARTnership Grant Open Call for Artists, Art Professionals/Teams, and Makers
Overview: Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.'s (ABI) Facade Grant is a program that partners local artists and maker professionals with the business community to complete capital improvements, catalyzing business growth within the BeltLine Planning Area that spans the 22-mile corridor.
Vision: ABI’s vision is to be a catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city life. As one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States, the Atlanta BeltLine is building a most socially and economically resilient Atlanta with our partner organizations and host
communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing, and public spaces for all. For more information on the Atlanta BeltLine, please visit www.BeltLine.org.
Project Scope: Selected Artists or artist groups will partner with a selected business owner during the project period to design and implement facade improvements on their business storefront that will stimulate business growth and catalyze the revitalization of commercial districts. ABI anticipates the selection of six (6) businesses located within the Beltline Planning Area to participate in this opportunity. Projects should be well-planned, feasible, and adequately address the needs of the business participant. Business participants will provide a narrative of the desired improvements. ABI has partnered with Purpose Possible (PP) to facilitate the execution of this grant program.
Goals: This program's goals are to stimulate business growth through capital improvements, provide work opportunities for Atlanta’s artist and maker community, and catalyze the revitalization of commercial districts.
Location: Site locations will be businesses in the BeltLine Planning Area that spans the 22-mile corridor. A map of the Beltline Planning Area is available here.
Award Amount: Selected artist partners may submit design proposals to be considered for grant funding of up to $50,000 to implement an artistic façade improvement for any of the selected business participants. Amounts to be awarded will vary by project and be negotiable. The amount granted towards the improvement will be determined based on the final design and budget submitted during Round 2 of selection, pending review. It is recommended that the artist partner should incorporate 15% of their budget as an artist’s fee. The final project budget should include design/artist’s fee permitting, site prep work, fabrication, installation, and any other related fees. The grant amount will be paid directly to the artist partner selected to design and implement the improvement. The first installment of 70% of the grant will occur after the final designs have been submitted and approved by ABI and the business participant. The final installment of 30% will occur upon successful completion of the final onsite project review, after the façade improvement has been installed. The artist partner will be responsible for any costs incurred over and beyond the final approved grant amount. Any costs incurred above the grant amount will be the responsibility of the artist. Funding is not guaranteed. ABI, nor the artist partner, are responsible for the ongoing maintenance or sustainability of the improvements.
Artist Selection: Selection will consist of two rounds to match artist grant winners with participating businesses. The selection and matching process will be adjudicated by subject matter and technical experts and participating business owners. Interested artists will submit applications for Round 1 via Submittable by July 8, 2024 which will consist of contact information, past experience, portfolio, necessary business documents, and other relevant information to assess artistic style, skillset, and capacity to perform the scope of work described. After an initial review of eligibility, selected business participants will indicate their interest in artist applicants as finalists for their location. Artists selected as finalists will be invited to submit designs for businesses interested in their work for Round 2. ABI will offer technical assistance prior to Round 2 submission to assess engineering, construction, and architectural feasibility. Selected businesses will select winners based on submitted Round 2 designs and Round 1 portfolios. projects should be well-planned, feasible, and adequately address the needs of the business participant. Business participants will provide a narrative of the desired improvements
Deadline: Round 1 Application packets are due by July 8, 2024 through the Submittable platform. Artists selected as finalists for Round 2 must submit their proposed designs by August 19, 2024.
Eligibility: Artist partners must complete Round 1 Application Packets by July 8, 2024. through the Submittable platform along with necessary, valid business documentation. No emailed or physical applications will be accepted. Artists selected as finalists for Round 2 must submit their proposed designs by August 19, 2024. Incomplete submissions or submissions that lack necessary documentation will not be considered. Artist partners must demonstrate the necessary skill set and/or past experience to create and execute a proposed improvement project to include a budget, a timeline, and a design sketch with dimensions and scale. Artist partners may be teams or individuals. Artists partners must provide proof of liability insurance up to $1 Million, Certificate of Good Standing from State of GA and proof of Business License in the City of Atlanta or local jurisdiction where the artists’ business is located. Applicants outside the State of Georgia will not be considered. In addition, selected artist partners will be required as qualifying contractors and subcontractors performing work within the State of Georgia on a contract with ABI to register and participate in a federal work authorization program.
Artist Information Session: An information session covering key information regarding application, selection, and execution of the grant was held virtually on June 5, 2024 from 1:00pm -2:00pm. This session was recorded and will be distributed on the Business Façade Partnership Grant Program webpage for those unable to attend.
Technical Assistance: Selected finalists will be required to present Round 2 Project plans with technical experts in general construction, engineering, and/or architecture to assess the feasibility of structural integrity and necessary permitting. Additional meetings or technical advice will need to be built into final project budgets.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN:
Necessary Documentation to Apply:
- CV or Resume for each person on Artist Partner team
- Links or files for Portfolio or Past Work Samples
- Proof of Liability Insurance up to $1 Million
- Proof of Business License in City of Atlanta or in jurisdiction where Artist Partner is located.
*for the last three bullet points in this list, you can also submit valid proof that you have initiated these processes and that they will be completed before the next round in the application.
Applicant Scoring Criteria: The applicants will be evaluated by a committee consisting of ABI staff, a public art manager, and the business participants. The proposed improvements will be evaluated based on the following criteria, which is not exhaustive: ability to meet the needs of the business, artistic merit/quality, feasibility, durability/sustainability, ability to create a major impact within the business district and show its proximity to the BeltLine, artist partner’s collaboration experience, and creativity. Additional consideration will be given to artists from the neighborhoods where the business participants are located and the improvement’s potential for increasing foot traffic and/or sales for the business participant.