MyOCF

Creative Heights

Providing opportunities for artists and culture bearers to stretch their creative capacity, share new works and test new ideas.

The initiative aims to increase Oregon’s cultural visibility and vitality while also supporting unique opportunities for Oregonians to experience innovative arts and culture.

Creative Heights grants are for the creation and/or presentation of new and innovative performances, exhibitions, programs, and other works of art and culture. Up to $1 million in projects will be funded annually with grants from $10,000 to $100,000 per project.

Application Guidelines & Eligibility

Letters of inquiry (LOIs) will be accepted online starting January 6, 2020. The due date for LOIs is February 17, 2020. The 2020 RFP will be available online by December 15, 2019.

2020 RFP

Please review our 2020 Request for Proposals and Creative Heights FAQs for information on the scope of proposals sought, eligibility, application process and review criteria. A recording of an informational webinar outlining the program and application process is available at this link.

Letter of Inquiry (due February 17)

Interested applicants must submit a brief LOI via our online system, which will open on January 6. You may answer the LOI narrative questions in writing or in a 2-3 minute video (upload). LOIs should describe the proposed project idea, the lead artists/curators/collaborators involved, and how the project idea is distinct or different from previous work. Applicants must also indicate the preliminary grant request ($10,000-$100,000) and include a letter of support from the executive leadership at the lead nonprofit. After review by the OCF Arts Committee, strong proposals that fit with program guidelines will be invited to submit a full application.

Please note: We are not accepting work samples or project/organization budgets as part of the LOI. OCF reserves the right to request financial information from an organization before inviting a project to apply.

Full Application (By Invitation Only)

Full applications will be invited in early April. Invited applicants will submit a full application in May, including a detailed project budget, project plan, bio from lead collaborators, work samples and timeline. Full applications will be reviewed by a panel of peer experts. Panel recommendations are subject to approval by the OCF board annually in early August. Funding will be disbursed by late August.

Past Grantees

For information on past grantees and documented findings on the initiative, please visit the Creative Heights Community Impact page.

Staff Assistance

Before contacting us, please read our Creative Heights FAQs and Tips for Nonprofits Communicating with OCF.

  • If you have questions about the online application portal or your attachments, please contact Rima Litke at (503) 227-6846 or rlitke@oregoncf.org.
  • For questions on your proposed project plans, eligibility or general questions on Creative Heights, please contact Jerry Tischleder at (503) 227-6846 or jtischleder@oregoncf.org.