CBAC Grant Opportunities

The core of our mission is to support the professional development and promote the artist endeavors of the arts community within the greater Chequamegon Bay area. 

We offer multiple grant opportunities each year, which include:

  • Annual Arts Initiative Grant
  • Annual Artistic Development Grant
  • Annual Karlyn Holman College Arts Scholarship
  • New! CBAC/Norvado Mini Grants

NEW! CBAC Mini Grants presented by Norvado

The purpose of the CBAC Mini Grant is to support vibrant, community-based art projects that fall outside the scope of our standard grant cycles. This initiative is designed to provide flexible, year-round support for creative endeavors that directly engage and benefit our local communities.

Eligible projects are those that activate public spaces, foster artistic collaboration, and bring people together through the arts. This can include, but is not limited to:
• Pop-up art installations or exhibitions in community spaces
• Neighborhood mural projects or community sculpture gardens
• Interactive performance series in local parks or venues
• Workshops or creative gatherings that build artistic skills within a community group
• Artistic projects that celebrate or respond to a specific local need or event

Any individual artist or collective residing in Ashland or Bayfield County with a project idea that serves the public is encouraged to apply. We welcome proposals from professional and amateur artists alike.

Applications are awarded year round, on a case-by case basis, and a submission of application is subject to approval, and does not guarantee acceptance.

For further information, please contact the CBAC Board Member Ed Vocke, at vocke4wi@gmail.com.

2026 Arts Initiative Grant
Open Dec 1

Arts Initiative Grants fund project based activities such as public exhibitions, performances, publications, touring productions, commissioned art and educational activities. Artistic disciplines include dance, theater, music, folk arts, literary arts, video, film and visual arts.

Must be a resident of Ashland or Bayfield County to apply.

Opens December 1, 2025 
(online app will be live on this day)

Closes January 31, 2026

Funding Announced February 11, 2026

*If a person or entity has received the Arts Initiative Grant for any two years in a row, they will not be eligible for the one year after.

2026 Artistic Development Grant
Open Feb 1

Applications are now available for the annual CBAC Artistic Development grants! The purpose of this grant is to promote ongoing learning and to encourage area residents to further their artistic abilities for reasons of personal growth and enhanced community artistic excellence. Any continuing education opportunity in the field of visual, performing, or literary arts would be eligible for consideration. Opportunities can include short-term courses pertaining to an artistic field of interest, workshops, art/music/performance/literary camps, or well-defined individual research projects of an artistic nature.

Any professional, amateur or student artist residing in Ashland or Bayfield County is eligible to apply.

Closes April 1, 2026

Funding Announced April 11, 2026

2026 Karlyn Holman College Arts Scholarship Open Mar 1

The Chequamegon Bay Arts Council is pleased to announce the availability of college scholarships.

As a mother, potter, painter, artist, entrepreneur, teacher, traveler, and community pillar; Karlyn embodied support, mentorship, community activism and love which could be felt by all those that knew her. This scholarship is a reflection of the legacy she leaves behind today and her love for the community and art education.

The purpose of this scholarship is to acknowledge the past accomplishment and future promise of high school graduates who will enter a field of study leading to a career in the arts.​

APPLICATIONS DUE MAY 1, 2026
Announcements on May 16th.

Need Assistance?

If you have any questions about current grant opportunities, and/or need assistance completing your application, please contact the following:

Kathleen Broadwell, the ‘Arts Initiative’ grant coordinator: kathleenbroadwell@gmail.com

Chris Lindsey, the ‘Arts Development’ grant coordinator: chrissie6454@gmail.com

LeeAnn Frey, the Karlyn Holman High School Scholarship: nlafrey05@gmail.com

CBAC serves as a regranting organization for funds received through the Wisconsin Arts Board (WAB). The grant programs are funded by a $8,700 award from the WAB, which also requires a local match contribution before the organization distributes $17,400 to local artists and organizations through its annual grant process.