$50,000 in grants for individual artists and groups will fuel creative expressions of joy throughout Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE — Joy Engine, the nonprofit arts organization known for transforming Milwaukee’s public spaces through creativity and connection, has opened applications for its 2026 JOY Grants. The program supports artists, students, and community groups dreaming up joyful, public, and inclusive projects across the city. Joy Engine will award up to $50,000 in total funding, with individual grants of up to $10,000 for projects that improve public spaces, promote civic engagement, celebrate diversity, and bring imaginative ideas to life in Milwaukee neighborhoods.
Deadline to apply is Friday, October 31, 2025.
In a state that ranks last in the nation for public arts funding, Joy Engine’s JOY Grant program fills a crucial gap by providing accessible support to individual artists and small community groups who often struggle to find direct funding.
“We dare applicants to propose wildly fun ideas, to reimagine their blocks, alleys, and parks with unexpected joy,” said Steph Salvia, Executive Director of Joy Engine. “Chosen projects will be the ones that think out of the box, bring people together, and get Milwaukee more connected, inclusive, and inspired.”
In 2025, seven projects received funding to create joy throughout Milwaukee. They included a pop-up arts festival, youth-built performance stages, and short films celebrating community resilience.
Past recipients include:
- Quasimondo Physical Theatre had a groundbreaking “Artpark Eco-Arts Jam” celebration to kick off the transformation of an empty park into a dedicated area for puppetry, performances, and murals.
- Your Move MKE built a permanent stage for youth-led performances in a previously vacant, uninspired alley.
- The Native Wellness Garden expanded its community programs to share Indigenous food and plant traditions.
“These small-scale projects inspire massive, life-changing experiences,” said Salvia. “Humble as they may seem, their effect demonstrates how creativity heals and unites entire neighborhoods.”
Application Details
Eligible applicants include individual artists, students, community groups, schools, and nonprofits. Projects must take place within the City of Milwaukee, be free and publicly accessible, and document their creative process. Joy Engine encourages inclusive, volunteer-powered projects that bring people together—whether that’s a temporary installation, a new performance series, or a permanent creative solution to a public space.
Example project types include:
- Temporary art installations or performances
- Community events, workshops, or creative programs
- Permanent improvements to public spaces
While murals will not be funded independently, they may be included as part of a larger community initiative.
Deadline: Friday, October 31, 2025
Notification: December 12, 2025
Project completion: by December 31, 2026
More Info & Application Link Here
Questions may be emailed to communitychallenge@joyengine.org.
About Joy Engine
Joy Engine is a nonprofit public art organization curating intentional, immersive art experiences to connect, uplift, and inspire the Milwaukee community. Reimagining urban spaces through wondrous, larger-than-life installations expands perceptions. When citizens engage with art, community viability advances. Because inclusion through creative expression is the goal, all Joy Engine events are free, family-friendly, and accessible.
For more information on Joy Engine please visit: joyengine.org
