The Brighton Urban Renewal Authority (BURA) is offering the Brighton Hearts the Arts grant program to assist local artists who occupy physical space in the downtown urban renewal area with their rental costs.

Program Details

• The program will be seeded with $25,000 for FY 2025.
• Grant funding will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Additional appropriations may be considered during BURA’s annual budget preparation.
• Artists may apply for a grant that will cover up to 50% of their annual lease, not to exceed $15,000 annually per award.
• Grants will be made available to qualified applicants as determined by the BURA commissioners.

The program is open to arts-focused nonprofits, as well as for-profit art galleries and art studios that meet the following criteria:

Nonprofit Applicants: The applicant must be designated as a 501(c)(3) per the Internal Revenue Code and in good standing.

For-Profit Applicants: The applicant must meet the following criteria:

Museum /Art Gallery/Artist Space: The facility’s principal function and mission must be to exhibit, create, present, and/or sell artistic work in a variety of media produced by an artist, artist collective, or arts and culture organization, accessible by public audiences.

General Eligibility Requirements:

• The location must be within Brighton’s downtown urban renewal plan area. (Click here to see attached map)
• Applicants must have a current Brighton business/sales tax license.
• Applicants must submit a fully-executed lease agreement.
• Home based studios are not eligible for the grant.
• Applicants must provide a copy of their lease agreement and a signed W-9 when completing their online application
• Applicants must be occupying physical space per the lease and on premises at the time of award.
• Applicants may not sub-lease, rent or occupy additional space to other entities who are grant award recipients
• Reimbursement will require proof of rent/lease payment
• Payments will be made directly to the landlord in most cases
• Awards for Rental Assistance shall be approved/denied at the sole-discretion of the BURA commissioners. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to those who have met all the requirements of the application until the funds are dispersed. Award in previous year does not imply continued support.         

To learn more about this program and apply please click here. 

For additional information please contact Aaron Herrera at aherrera@brightonco.gov or 303-655-2150.

About the Brighton Urban Renewal Authority (BURA) 

Most cities have rundown, blighted areas that reduce the quality of life and economic vitality of the community. Brighton Urban Renewal Authority’s (BURA) mission is to encourage investment and reinvestment in these targeted areas while strengthening the tax base of the whole city. BURA leverages resources and partnerships to deliver high quality community improvements. BURA is an economic catalyst and may assist in: development approval, development financing, property acquisition and public improvements. To learn more about BURA, visit brightonura.org/ or call 303-655-2150.