The Urban Enhancement Trust Fund (UETF) will provide grants for organizations and fiscally sponsored projects to plan for projects or activities that advance or enrich the city’s cultural life or vitality in the area of visual art, music, theater, dance, history, or literature, and that have favorable economic or cultural impacts on the city.

The activities funded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grant will support organizations in preparing for later arts and culture activities or projects in 2021 in response to organizational or programmatic changes experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding will support planning that may include, but is not limited to, salaries and stipends for project leadership, coordinators, and artists doing the planning; materials; space rental and occupancy; and other related expenses for planning in response to the pandemic.

UETF CARES funding will support project planning that positively impacts residents, neighborhoods, and communities by providing direct access and increased opportunities for quality cultural activities and programming by, for, and about a broad representation of the city’s population. All arts and cultural organization nonprofits that are led by and serve a broad representation of Albuquerque’s population may apply.

According to The City Ordinance that Established the UETF Committee, “consideration shall be given to promoting a public-private partnership designed to enhance the quality of life in Albuquerque. Where feasible and appropriate, Albuquerque businesses, private organizations, and neighborhood associations shall be involved in the planning of urban enhancement projects.” Applications will be evaluated based on this intent.

Amount: $200,000 is available to make 40 grants of $5,000 each.

Eligibility: Nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) arts organization dedicated to enhancing Albuquerque’s cultural vitality in the area of visual art, music, theater, dance, history or literature may apply. Organizations must be established vendors with the City of Albuquerque. Organizations may check their vender status here: https://www.cabq.gov/dfa/onlineservices/vendor-search

Note: This opportunity is not part of UETF’s regular grant cycle. Organizations may submit proposals to be considered for both this round of funding and through the UETF’s regular cycle, which is expected to open later this year.

Deadline: December 4, 2020 at noon.