Supporting art and artists is one of the goals of the City of Beaverton’s award-winning Community Vision plan. The arts build community, attract visitors, and drive progress. The Beaverton Arts Program contributes by presenting arts and cultural events and programs that celebrate community values and help connect residents to their artistic and cultural heritage. 

Grant proposals can include but are not limited to design interventions, community projects, festivals, performances, public art, streetscaping, landscaping, workshops, art displays, placemaking*, and functioning public amenities such as creative wayfinding, decorative benches, tables, and bicycle racks. Applicants should provide detailed information on what opportunities for which they are seeking funding, the challenges or site conditions that are being impacted and what this project would contribute to the residents of Beaverton. 

*Please note that placemaking grants are now considered in this grant application. 

Projects duration may vary and must serve residents of Beaverton. 

PROGRAM GOAL 

These grants are offered by the City of Beaverton to enrich the lives of the Beaverton community by integrating arts, culture, and creativity into the city and its neighborhoods. Applications should focus on art and culture-related programming and involve an element of public engagement, arts-based learning or meaningful art experiences.  

In addition, we hope to promote projects that meet these goals: 

• Prioritize social equity and inclusion through your organization’s mission, vision and values, and programs offered and/or proposed.
• Nurture collaboration by encouraging partnerships between artists and other creative industries, businesses, and organizations both for- and non-profit.
• Contribute to economic vitality, support neighborhood revitalization and beautification, and promote our city as a place that is welcoming, vibrant, responsible, friendly, safe, and active.
• Inspire creativity and innovation in local and regional talent (emerging as well as established) by offering new opportunities and experiences in the arts.
• Elevate our community assets, cultural identity, and heritage to nurture, honor, preserve, and commemorate our cultural traditions and histories.
• Animate and rejuvenate public spaces.
• Increase public safety and awareness by activating shared spaces.
• Enliven public spaces to promote health, happiness, connectedness, and wellbeing. 

SELECTION REVIEW CRITERIA

The following factors and criteria will be used to evaluate proposals:

• Neighborhood Participation & Community Partnerships (20 Points): Clearly define how the project will provide a creative solution for specific issues in the proposed area. Demonstrate community support and collaboration, and how the project will create strong partnerships in the neighborhood. Please provide letter(s) of support or commitment of partnerships if relevant to your application. Please provide letter(s) of support or commitment of partnerships if relevant to  your application. 
• Creativity, Artistic Quality, Scope & Merit (20 Points): Proposals should be innovative, well-defined, goal-oriented, original and either visually or experientially compelling, and draw on community resources and talent. 
• Planning, Feasibility & Maintenance (20 Points): Proposals should demonstrate how feasible the project is in terms of timeline, budget and available resources. Explain how the project will be safely produced, installed, maintained and removed. 
• Economic & Community Vitality, Leverage (20 Points): How well does the project address the objectives of the grant program and catalyze a vision to enhance the vibrancy and economic vitality in a neighborhood? Proposals should include measurement tools for reporting on the success of the project and addressing challenges or opportunities in the neighborhood.
• Community Benefit & Social Impact (20 Points): Proposals should demonstrate how the project represents and boasts community identity, heritage, engagement and sense of place. 

Applications must clearly demonstrate how the proposed programming will support at least one or more of the following: 

1. Build awareness of the role and value of arts in Beaverton and increase public participation.
2. Promote access and enhance learning, new and innovative art-making and practices, and encourage public participation in the arts.
3. Prioritization of inclusivity in the proposed programming in representation, intended audience and discipline.
4. Foster economic development in the community through the arts. 

FUNDS AVAILABLE

• Funding requests may be up to $5,000 per applicant
• Only one grant may be received per fiscal year (July-June)
• This is not a matching-grant, so we encourage applicants to seek additional opportunities to augment their funding.
• If the applicant is requesting the full award amount and their project budget is greater than that amount, a clear fundraising plan must be presented with the application.
• Crowdfunding and fundraising through community engagement activities is encouraged. 

PROGRAM TIMELINE

• Application open: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
• DEADLINE: Thursday, March 19, 2026, 11:59 pm
• Award Notification: June 2026
• All funded activities must take place by end of July 2027.

APPLY ONLINE 

All applications must be submitted online at www.BeavertonOregon.gov/ArtSubmit. 

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS 

All applicants must be an arts or cultural 501(c)3 organization or an entity represented by a 501(c)3 organization as a fiscal agent. 

Individuals, religious organizations, government agencies, political groups, district councils, hospitals, or newspapers are NOT eligible to apply. 

ELIGIBILITY 

Organizations seeking support for specific programs or projects which may include but are not limited to performances, events, classes or arts-based activities. 

ELIGIBLE EXPENSES 

Large Project Grants funding may be used to cover expenses directly related to program and/or project related expenses. 

INELIGIBLE PROJECTS & EXPENSES 

Funds awarded may not be used for: 

• Projects on private property that are not publicly-accessible
• Projects that have restricted participation and public access on the basis of race, gender, creed, origin, age, disability
• Purchase of facilities
• Maintenance, operation, or retroactive funding of existing projects
• Activities that are not tied directly to program objectives
• Re-granting
• General operating expenses and activities (see Operational Assistance: Unrestricted Grants)
• Surveys or studies
• Financial awards or gifts
• Cash reserves and endowments
• Food and beverage (unless demonstrated as a primary need or essential to a program’s or project’s purpose i.e. social practice projects involving food) 

ACCESSIBILITY 

This information can be made available in large print or audio tape upon request. Language translators, assistive listening devices, or sign language interpreters will be made available at any public meeting or program with three business days advance notice. To request these services, please email artsmail@BeavertonOregon.gov and reference Arts Program Grants. 

MID- AND POST-PROJECT EVALUATION 

Through multiple phases of the project, grant recipients may be required by city staff to provide a project update that may include expense reporting, project documentation (photographs, video, and/or text), related press, and an assessment of whether grant objectives are being met successfully. 

At the conclusion of the project, grant recipients will be required to submit a final report which will include expense reporting, project documentation (photographs, video, and/or text), related press, and a project narrative that addresses the scope of the project as realized, successes, and any areas where grant recipient encountered difficulties or diverged from the original proposal as submitted. 

APPLICATION CHECKLIST 

Applications for the Large Project Grants will only be accepted if the application form is completed and submitted online through www.BeavertonOregon.gov/ArtSubmit with required documentation including: 

• Project narrative
• Project budget
• Up to six images or media files which visualize or demonstrate examples or sketches of your proposed project and/or previous work. 
• Applicants may also submit other supporting material – such as a brochure, newsletter, past review, etc. 

GRANTS STAFF & REVIEW COMMITTEE

1. Proposals will be reviewed according to the established eligibility criteria.
2. Awards will be based on grant panel’s recommendations.
3. Notification and information on award status can only be given after the grants process is complete.

GRANT ASSISTANCE 

For questions about the grant guidelines or application, contact Kourtnee Buechner at kbuechner@BeavertonOregon.gov. 

Supporting art and artists is one of the goals of the City of Beaverton’s Community Vision plan. The arts build community, attract visitors, and drive progress. The Beaverton Arts Program contributes by presenting arts and cultural events and programs that celebrate community values and help connect residents to their artistic and cultural heritage. 

Small Project Grants are intended to provide support for new or unanticipated projects, especially for emerging artists, students, or organizations new to the grant-making process. Projects could include workshops, art classes, and/or art activities that serve Beaverton residents. 

PROGRAM GOAL 

These grants are offered by the City of Beaverton to enrich the lives of the Beaverton community by integrating arts, culture, and creativity into the city and its neighborhoods. Applications should focus on art and culture-related programming and involve an element of public engagement, arts-based learning or meaningful art experiences.  

In addition, we hope to promote projects that meet these goals: 

• Prioritize social equity and inclusion through your organization’s mission, vision and values, and programs offered and/or proposed.
• Nurture collaboration by encouraging partnerships between artists and other creative industries, businesses, and organizations both for- and non-profit.
• Contribute to economic vitality, support neighborhood revitalization and beautification, and promote our city as a place that is welcoming, vibrant, responsible, friendly, safe, and active.
• Inspire creativity and innovation in local and regional talent (emerging as well as established) by offering new opportunities and experiences in the arts.
• Elevate our community assets, cultural identity, and heritage to nurture, honor, preserve, and commemorate our cultural traditions and histories.
• Animate and rejuvenate public spaces.
• Increase public safety and awareness by activating shared spaces.
• Enliven public spaces to promote health, happiness, connectedness, and wellbeing. 

FUNDS AVAILABLE

• Funding requests may be up to $2,500 per applicant
• Only one grant may be received per fiscal year (July-June)
• This is not a matching-grant, but we encourage applicants to leverage other funds raised to augment their projects.
• If the applicant is requesting the full award amount and their project budget is greater than that amount, a clear fundraising plan must be presented with the application.
• Crowdfunding and fundraising through community engagement activities is encouraged. 

PROGRAM TIMELINE

• Application open: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
• DEADLINE: Thursday, March 19, 2026, 11:59 pm
• Award Notification: June 2026
• All funded activities must take place by end of July 2027.

APPLY ONLINE 

All applications must be submitted online at www.BeavertonOregon.gov/ArtSubmit. 

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

All applicants will be considered, but it is advisable that the primary applicant identify as one of the following:

• Individual artists or artist collectives
• School groups that fall within the city of Beaverton
• Individual Students
• Non-profits

Individuals, religious organizations, government agencies, political groups, district councils, hospitals, or newspapers are NOT eligible to apply. 

ELIGIBLE EXPENSES 

Small Project Grant funding may be used to cover expenses directly related to program and/or project related expenses. 

INELIGIBLE PROJECTS & EXPENSES 

Funds awarded may not be used for: 

• Projects on private property that are not publicly-accessible
• Projects that have restricted participation and public access on the basis of race, gender, creed, origin, age, disability
• Purchase of facilities
• Maintenance, operation, or retroactive funding of existing projects
• Activities that are not tied directly to program objectives
• Re-granting
• General operating expenses and activities
• Surveys or studies
• Financial awards or gifts
• Cash reserves and endowments
• Food and beverage (unless demonstrated as a primary need or essential to a program’s or project’s purpose i.e. social practice projects involving food) 

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Proposals for the Small Project Grants will only be accepted if the application form is completed and submitted online through www.BeavertonOregon.gov/ArtSubmit with required documentation including:

• Project narrative
• Project budget
• Up to six images or media files which visualize or demonstrate examples or sketches of your proposed project and/or previous work. 
• Applicants may also submit other supporting material – such as a brochure, newsletter, past review, etc.

GRANTS STAFF & REVIEW COMMITTEE

1. Proposals will be reviewed according to the established eligibility criteria.
2. Awards will be based on grant panel’s recommendations.
3. Notification and information on award status can only be given after the grants process is complete.

GRANT ASSISTANCE 

For questions about the grant guidelines or application, contact Kourtnee Buechner at kbuechner@BeavertonOregon.gov. 

The City of Beaverton Arts Program is currently accepting applications for our Youth Arts program, recognizing the accomplishments and academic pursuits of young and emerging artists in the performing and visual arts. 

The application DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. 

Letters of recommendation are a requirement for each student's application. This letter must contain the following information: How long the recommender has known the applicant and in what capacity, and comment on the applicant's artistic work and growth of their creative practice. It is recommended that the letter is on the institution's letterhead. 

If a recommender would prefer to send in letters independently of the student's application(s), please do so here. A recommender may submit more than one letter of recommendation if they were requested to do so by multiple students. 

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Kourtnee Buechner at kbuechner@BeavertonOregon.gov. 

The City of Beaverton Arts Program is now accepting applications for our Youth Arts Scholarships and Emerging Talent Awards, recognizing the accomplishments and academic pursuits of young and emerging artists in the performing and visual arts. 

The application DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

The Arts Program supports young artists and promotes access to the arts for everyone. There are two categories of awards for which applicants can apply. 

1. Performing and Visual Arts Scholarships (high school seniors and independent/non-traditional studies students applying to enroll in college/university)
2. Emerging Talent Awards (high school juniors)

Our Performing and Visual Arts Scholarships recognize outstanding achievement and encourage promising academic advancement. These scholarships aim to help foster a diverse and flourishing arts community. Multiple scholarships up to $2,500 will be awarded to high school seniors enrolled in K-12 traditional education settings as well as students enrolled in non-traditional settings i.e. home school, within and peripheral to Beaverton School District boundaries (i.e. Catlin Gabel). 

Our Emerging Talent Awards are non-monetary awards given to one high school junior per each high school in Beaverton School District. These awards recognize the growth and potential of these individuals and will serve to acknowledge their accomplishments in advance of their college/university applications. 

We encourage all eligible students to apply.*

The Beaverton Arts Program will be awarding young artists and outstanding achievements in two categories for each award program:

1. Visual Arts, which includes traditional 2D and 3D media, graphic design, video and film, and digital arts/media, etc.
2. Performing Arts, which includes music, dance, theater, improv/comedy, tech crew (studio recording and production), stage crew (lighting, sound, rigging), etc. 

*Please note: Students that take a year off in-between high school and college forfeit their scholarship, unless they can provide proof of enrollment in coursework that supports their field of study.

Performing and Visual Arts Scholarships High school, non-traditional and homeschooled students must currently be in their senior year or academic equivalent and must attend a public, private, or alternative high school within and peripheral to Beaverton School District boundaries. There is no age limit for these scholarships, but applicants must be living within Beaverton School District boundaries or have attended a public, private, charter or alternative high school within Beaverton School District boundaries. Visual arts applicants will be required to submit (3) .jpg files of their work and performing arts applicants will be required to submit video links that total 7-10 minutes in length. A letter of recommendation from a visual art or performing art instructor, guidance counselor or mentor is required for this application to be considered.* 

Emerging Talent Awards High school, non-traditional and homeschooled students must currently be in their junior year or academic equivalent and must attend a public, private, charter or alternative high school within and peripheral to Beaverton School District boundaries. There is no age limit for these awards, but applicants must be living within Beaverton School District boundaries or have attended a public, private, charter or alternative high school within Beaverton School District boundaries. Visual arts applicants will be required to submit (3) .jpg files of their work and performing arts applicants will be required to submit video links that total 7-10 minutes in length. A letter of recommendation from a visual art or performing art instructor, guidance counselor or mentor is required for this application to be considered.* 

*Please note: A recommendation letter from a visual art or performing art instructor, guidance counselor or mentor is required for this application to be considered, but letters may be submitted separately by the recommender. For the recommender to submit their letter of support outside of the student submission, please have your recommender visit www.BeavertonOregon.gov/ArtSubmit. 

Evaluation A panel will review and evaluate applications and make recommendations for award recipients. 

Please note that each applicant’s free response section will be evaluated and weighted evenly to submitted work samples. 

For questions about the guidelines or application, contact Kourtnee Buechner, Arts Program Coordinator, at kbuechner@BeavertonOregon.gov.

CALL TO CHOREOGRAPHERS / PERFORMERS | TEN TINY DANCES® 2026

The City of Beaverton Arts Program is seeking proposals from choreographers/dance performers to create and perform a dance as part of Ten Tiny Dances® on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

Ten choreographers. One very small stage. Ten Tiny Dances. 

Nationally recognized and created in Portland by Mike Barber in 2002, Ten Tiny Dances invites diversity of response and provides a rich pallet of performance art for audiences/community members. The short dances confined by 4' x 4' stage become condensed statements of creativity and artist individuality. 

As an annual event since 2009, Beaverton TTD is an opportunity to present both contemporary and traditional dance, to publicly highlight the rich mix of cultures in Beaverton, and to expose audience members to culturally and artistically diverse performances.

The event presents both contemporary and traditional/ethnic dancers on a 4’ x 4’ stage in non-traditional/unexpected outdoor locations. The format offers applicants the opportunity to explore the concept of creative limitation, and the small stage also positions dancers in very close contact with the audience. Artists are offered the opportunity to create site specific performances. The Arts Program actively promotes the event, and audiences have been large, and receptive.

The City of Beaverton cares about the health and safety of its residents, employees, and performers and reserves the right to impose public health and safety-related measures at city events.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

· Artist’s schedule

· For your convenience this is a pdf of the call to artist

· To help you submit the best application possible watch this 14-minute video of helpful hints

· Here’s a 3-minute video of last year’s TTD performances

· For more inspiration watch these samples of TTD performances

ENTRANT’S CALENDAR 2026

THU, JAN 8     Call to artist opens online 

THU, MAR 12  Deadline for artists to apply electronically, by 11:59 pm, PST

MAR/APR        Selection Panel meets to select performers to be included in TTD 2026

APR/MAY        Artists MUST attend this informational/site visit meeting from 6-8 pm, date TBD

MAY /JUNE     ALL performers must attend a one-hour rehearsal review with Artistic Director Mike Barber. Dates and times to be determined after selection. 

FRI, JUL 10      Attend rehearsal (see schedule)

SAT, JUL 11     TTD event performance from 7-8:30 PM (see schedule)

ARTISTIC CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

• Use of the 4’ x 4’ stage (18" high)
• Dance must be a minimum of five minutes and no more than seven minutes in length 
• Audience will be close to performers and may be on three or four sides
• Concept should consider challenge and benefits of creative limitation due to the “tiny” stage format and close proximity to the audience. 
• Your concept should consider the tiny stage and should be performed primarily within the confines of the stage, as opposed to off or around the stage.
• Stage location will be at The Round Amphitheater 12600 SW Crescent St, Beaverton OR 97005
• Performance is intended to be fully in The Round (seen by audience on all sides)
• If your proposal includes a traditional/ethnic form of dance, please exercise discretion and care to not misappropriate or misrepresent
• Creativity, including use of the tiny stage, is highly encouraged
• Each of the 10 dances will be presented one time during the performance
• Music level is difficult to control in outdoor spaces and there may be ambient noise bleed from the Max train or other sources
• Dances can use more than one performer as well as recorded or live music, depending on preference (there will be professional sound equipment and technicians available) 
• Licensing and/or written consent to use music must be obtained by artists in advance of the event
• Dancers are encouraged to surprise, delight, or challenge the audience, but they must be family-friendly and appropriate for outdoor, public audiences.

ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA

A selection panel will review submissions from applicants and make recommendations to the Program Coordinator and Artistic Director. As you prepare the proposal for your application, please be aware that your application will be evaluated by the following criteria:

• Strength of previous artistic work and proposed performance concept 
• Artist has demonstrated intent in their application within their written narrative explaining why they are interested in the creative challenges (tiny stage, proximity to audiences, outdoor location) inherent in making work for Then Tiny Dances 
• Artist’s work samples reflect their range and technical abilities as a performer (or performance group) 
• Artist demonstrates clear vision and artistic innovation 
• Proposed performance is suitable for a public audience 

Ten choreographers/dancers will be selected representing traditional, ethnic, and contemporary styles. We encourage proposals from artists that draw from contemporary, traditional, or ethnic backgrounds and dance forms. If you have multiple participants, please make sure that all of those collaborators are included in your proposal. 

COMPENSATION AND ARTIST REQUIREMENTS

• Each performance group will receive $2,000
• There are three required commitments to receive full payment: 1. Informational and site visit meeting ($500) 2. Conceptual Review meeting ($500) 3. Rehearsal and event ($1,000)
• Checks will be distributed the day of the event
• No additional funds are available for travel, musicians, etc. You decide how to allocate the funds.

CHOREOGRAPHERS AND PERFORMERS MUST:

• Attend the site-visit orientation in April or May from 6-8 pm, date to be determined.
• Attend the required conceptual review/rehearsal with the artistic director, Mike Barber. The exact dates/times for the May/June visits will be determined after performers have been selected
• Attend the event orientation and rehearsal on Friday, July 10, 2026, 6:30-8 pm
• Send your digital music to the professional sound company at least two weeks prior to the event date
• Perform dance on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 7-8:30 pm
• Choreographers and performers will receive the full fee ONLY if they participate in these three required activities:

1. Attend the orientation/informational meeting and site visit in April or May 2026 (at least one representative) | $500
2. May/June review rehearsal with Mike Barber | $500
3. Attend the rehearsal on Friday, July 10, and the event on Saturday, July 11 | $1,000

TO APPLY FILL OUT THE APPLICATION FORM IN SUBMITTABLE

DEADLINE to apply is Thursday, March 12, 11:59 pm, PST

• Written description of your 5 to 7-minute proposed dance performance. Please provide a clear description of the concepts and the dance/performance forms you will use
• Description can be no more than 500 words
• Include how you would categorize/classify your dance style
• Resume/vita, no longer than 2 pages, in pdf format attached to your online application
• Link to webpage showing video of your previous choreography and performance
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to identify exactly which 3–5-minute segment(s) of the web link the selection panel should watch. The review panel will not be able to watch more than the 3–5-minute section(s)
• The selection committee finds it very helpful if the web link contains work that was done in a confined space, on a small stage, or if a 4’ x 4’ square is taped on to the floor representing the stage size

APPLICATION ASSISTANCE

We are looking forward to receiving materials from a variety of qualified contemporary, traditional and ethnic choreographers/dancers. We do not want this application process to be a barrier to qualified applicants applying (i.e., those with limited English skills, speech, reading or hearing disabilities, etc.). If you are interested and need assistance, please contact us. 

Please email Debi Thompson at dthompson@BeavertonOregon.gov if you have questions or need assistance.