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Applications are now open for the 2024 Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity & Entrepreneurship

Two people in yellow outfits performing outside in front of children and adults. They leap joyously through the air with smiles on their faces.
Photo Credit: Public Space One
Bread and Puppet Theater performs at Public Space One in Iowa as part of a GIG Fund event.

A one-time award of $5,000 will honor an Iowan who has made a significant impact on their arts community.

The Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity & Entrepreneurship was established in 2022. Each year, the award recognizes an individual located in one of Arts Midwest’s nine member states.  This year, Arts Midwest is celebrating a member of the Iowa arts community with the award.

The Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity & Entrepreneurship award celebrates Midwesterners whose work demonstrates entrepreneurial thinking and business acumen in the creative sector.

If you’ve been working in Iowa’s creative or cultural field for at least 10 years, this award might be for you!

Overview

  • What: A total of $5,000 in awarded funds, comprised of one unrestricted $2,500 award from Arts Midwest, accompanied by another $2,500 matching grant award from the Iowa Arts Council.
  • Who: An Iowan who works in creative or cultural programming, demonstrates entrepreneurial thinking and business acumen in their role, and who has at least ten years of experience in the field.
  • Where: You must live and/or work in Iowa or the Native Nations sharing this geography. Your primary impact should be within that geographic region. 
  • When: Nominations are due by September 16, 2024, with an awardee being announced at the end of October.

Anyone may submit a nomination, and self-nominations are allowed. Nominations are due on September 16, 2024.

Nominations will be submitted via our grants portal, SmartSimple. First time users of SmartSimple will need to register in the category of Individuals. Refer to this video walkthrough for registration assistance.  

About the Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity & Entrepreneurship

Peter Capell served on the Arts Midwest Board of Directors for 23 years and served as Board Chair from 2012 until 2021. During his time as Chair, he led Arts Midwest through the creation and launch of new national programs like Creating Connection; the development of Arts Midwest’s first major giving campaign; and a founder leadership transition. He is a passionate advocate for creativity and entrepreneurialism, a markedly generous philanthropist, and is deeply committed to strengthening and celebrating the Midwest creative sector.

In honor of Peter’s contributions to Arts Midwest and Midwestern creativity, the Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity & Entrepreneurship was established as a time-limited award, running for nine years beginning in 2022. Tyrone Phillips, founding artistic director at Definition Theatre in Chicago, Illinois, was the winner of the inaugural award in 2022.

Read the Application Guidelines

Learn more about the Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity & Entrepreneurship, eligibility requirements, and how to submit your application.

Learn More and Apply

A man and a young child paint a flower on a mural together
Photo Credit: Art on the Prairie

Questions about the Peter Capell Award?

If you have questions about the Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity & Entrepreneurship, please reach out.

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