Inclusive Public Art Initiative

We believe that art can open the door to conversations.

We invest in art projects that share stories of NC’s diverse people, cultures and experiences, especially those whose stories are often untold or under told.

These projects spark conversations that can be healing to communities. They can bridge divides, illuminate different perspectives and help people understand each other in new ways.

We are not currently accepting applications for this program.

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Inclusive public art in action at the Hope Center of Hendersonville, a day program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Supporting inclusive public art that celebrates NC’s diverse people, cultures and experiences

A mural that reflects the experiences of the Coharie Tribe in Clinton, NC.

A recycled metal sculpture that centers adults with disabilities in Hendersonville.

A gigantic modular quilt in Raleigh that uplifts women who have been incarcerated.

These are just a few examples of Inclusive Public Art Initiative projects.

The initiative is intended to share stories of North Carolina’s diverse people, cultures and experiences, especially those whose stories are often untold or under told.

Projects are community-driven, with grant partner organizations leading intensive community engagement efforts throughout the planning and execution of the art.

The engagement process is just as important as the art itself. The conversations that result, and the new relationships formed, can bridge divides, illuminate new perspectives and help diverse North Carolinians understand each other and celebrate our common humanity.

ZSR launched the Inclusive Public Art Initiative in 2018 and expanded it in 2022 with the support of the Mellon Foundation, the largest supporter of arts and humanities in the US.

Scenes from PBS North Carolina’s series “Visibly Speaking,” which followed ZSR’s first cohort of public art projects. Credit: PBS North Carolina

Inclusive public art can inspire a deeper understanding of our common history — and common bonds — as North Carolinians.

What We Fund

ZSR supports organizations and coalitions that partner with artists and authentically engage a cross-section of their communities in determining and telling the featured story or stories, and in planning and producing the art.

View Our Current Grant Partners

Eligible Organizations

To apply, organizations must have 501(c)3 status or be government or religious entities operating in NC.

Multiple organizations may apply together, but one organization must take the lead as the applicant. In the application, other collaborating organizations can be included in the project narrative and letters of support.

Multiple artists may collaborate on a project and apply together, but the applicant must be a 501(c)3 organization, or government or religious entity.

Individuals are not eligible to apply.

Criteria

To be considered for funding, proposed projects must:

Be for permanent public art (Performance-based work and temporary installations will not be considered)
Be community-driven and community-engaged
Authentically engage a cross-section of people, groups and organizations in telling, discussing and perhaps even producing the story(ies) depicted in the art

Proposed projects must also express, demonstrate or depict one or more of the following:

Contributions or achievements of a North Carolina person or group, especially women and people of color, whose story in a particular part of the state has not been or is not often told
Ways in which the racial and ethnic diversity of our communities makes our communities better
Ways in which cultural differences strengthen our communities

When and How to Apply

ZSR trustees determine Inclusive Public Art Initiative grant cycles.

All applicants submit a Letter of Intent. Semifinalists submit a full application. Finalists receive a site visit from ZSR.

ZSR has funded two cohorts of Inclusive Public Art Initiative grant partners: 10 projects in 2019 and 9 projects in 2023.

Timeline

ZSR trustees determine the timing of Inclusive Public Art Initiative grant cycles. Please join our email list for updates.

Application and Selection Process

When applications are open, applicants submit a Letter of Intent through our grant portal.
Letters of intent are screened by a Public Art Advisory Council (PAAC), which includes artists, historians and other community leaders, including former Inclusive Public Art Initiative grant partners.
After reviewing letters of intent, the PAAC makes recommendations to ZSR’s trustees for semifinalists.
Semifinalists are invited to submit a full application. They receive planning grants of $5,000 to assist with community engagement and artist renderings before the full application is submitted.
Semifinalists submit full applications. The PAAC reviews applications and recommends grant awards to ZSR trustees.
ZSR trustees make final grant decisions.

Inclusive Public Art Initiative FAQs

All Grants + Programs FAQs

What do you mean by “permanent public art”?

Permanent public art is considered to be original visual art including, but not limited to, sculptures, murals, monuments, photographic renderings, mosaics, lighting and electronic art installations installed on a permanent basis.

The location for the art installations can be in spaces owned publicly or privately but are visible from public streets and pedestrian walkways, free of any admission fee.

While we are open to proposals for indoor installations, those installations still must be visible from public streets and pedestrian walkways.

What if we have a story to tell but do not have an artist to work with?

At the Letter of Intent stage of the process, it is not required that proposed projects have an artist selected.

If you are selected to be a semifinalist, you must choose an artist (or multiple artists) to work with before submitting your full application. Since ZSR serves the people of North Carolina, we prefer that project artists are rooted in the community where the projects are located, or at least are residents of North Carolina.

If needed, ZSR will guide individual semifinalists in the process of putting out a Request For Qualifications to find and select an appropriate artist to work with.

We are interested in working with an artist from outside of North Carolina. Is this possible?

What if we have a story to tell but do not know yet where we will install the art?

You do not need to know the location for the artwork to submit a Letter of Intent.

Semifinalists are asked to identify location as a part of their full application.

If you are a grassroots organization with an important story to share, we may be able to help you connect with government agencies and other local organizations that could assist in identifying a location.

We are a grassroots group (e.g., youth group, cultural group) with history to share but are unsure of who to partner with. Can you help?

Are you willing to fund a project in a city that previously received an IPA grant?

Can an organization submit multiple Letters of Intent for different projects?

Is ZSR available to read Letters of Intent prior to submission?

Who should I contact with questions?

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A mural that reflects the experiences of the Coharie Tribe in Clinton, NC. A recycled metal sculpture that centers adults with physical, mental and developmental disabilities in Hendersonville. A modular, durable reinterpretation of a gigantic quilt in Raleigh that uplifts and honors women who have been incarcerated. These are just a few of…

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Inclusive Public Art Initiative

We are not currently accepting applications for this program.

Supporting inclusive public art that celebrates NC’s diverse people, cultures and experiences

Inclusive public art can inspire a deeper understanding of our common history — and common bonds — as North Carolinians.

What We Fund

When and How to Apply

Inclusive Public Art Initiative FAQs

Related News +  Stories

City of Washington Celebrates a New Mural Honoring Latine Community

Introducing Nine New Inclusive Public Art Projects

ZSR Welcomes New Public Art Advisory Council Members

More Grants + Programs

Community Progress Fund

Sabbatical Program

Statel-Level Systemic Change

We are not currently accepting applications for this program.

Supporting inclusive public art that celebrates NC’s diverse people, cultures and experiences

Inclusive public art can inspire a deeper understanding of our common history — and common bonds — as North Carolinians.

What We Fund

When and How to Apply

Inclusive Public Art Initiative FAQs

Related News + Stories

More Grants + Programs

Community Progress Fund

Sabbatical Program

Statel-Level Systemic Change

Stay informed about ZSR

Related News +  Stories