2026 TRENTON CREATIVE NETWORK (TCN) GRANT

The 2026 TCN Grant will support local artists and creative businesses in creating impactful community projects in Downtown Trenton’s Creek to Canal (C2C) Creative District.

Interested applicants should review the Trenton Arts in Focus plan to gain insight into the goals for the C2C Creative District. The plan is available for download on our website under the 'PLAN' tab."

Applications will open March 6, 2026

OVERVIEW:

The Trenton Creative Network Grant will fund projects that focus on the goals of the creek to canal.

Goals:

Expand access to arts education, workshops, and skill-building opportunities
Include and encourage collaboration across artistic disciplines
Uplift community identity, wellness, and lived experiences through creative expression
Creative uses of downtown spaces (storefronts, salons, sidewalks, lobbies, parks, vacant lots)
Creative projects that partner with downtown businesses (retailers, restaurants, salons, cafés, storefronts, organizations)

Timeline

Launch Date

3/6/2026

Submission Deadline

4/28/2025

Award Notification

5/25/2026

Project Completion

11/15/2026

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit an online form including:

Project description
Budget & Timeline
Portfolio or examples of past work (optional but recommended)
Marketing and Promotion Plan
Must provide a clear community benefit (not for private gain)
Must be non-discriminatory
Must benefit Downtown Trenton and its residents

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

Creativity & Innovation – Is the project unique and original?
Community Impact – How does it benefit or engage the community?
Feasibility – Can the project be realistically completed within the budget and timeline?
Alignment with Goals – Does the project support the program’s objectives?

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by a Grant Review Committee (local arts leaders, community members, and funders).
Applicants may be interviewed or asked for additional information.
Selected recipients will sign a grant agreement outlining fund use and reporting requirements.
Payment Structure: 50% upfront, 50% upon project completion.
Bi-Weekly check-ins with grant administratir.
Mid & Final Report: Recipients must submit 2 reports detailing project progress, outcomes, and lessons learned.

Eligible Projects:

Grants may be used for projects related to:

Photography, videography, or oral history projects highlighting local artists, festivals, or organizations including a multi-location art walk or cultural crawl
Community cleanups with a creative component
Group Exhibitions
- Photography
- Visual/Fine Arts
- Multi-Disciplinary
- Showcase/Performance (open mics, comedy shows, talent shows)
Hands-on workshops, demonstrations, and skill-building opportunities led by local artists
- Fashion design, sewing, photography, or beauty workshops paired with a public showcase or exhibition
- Live art, makeup, cosmetology, grooming, or self-care workshops

Ineligible Projects

This grant will NOT fund:

Discriminatory projects or organizations
Debt reduction or operational support
Capital campaigns or fundraising events
Re-granting programs
Scholarships
Partisan political activities, lobbying, or election influence
Religious activities (worship, instruction, proselytizing)

WHERE?

1. Before you start your project:

Sign a grant agreement.

2. Develop a schedule with the grant administrator to meet bi-weekly for check-ins.

3. As you do your project keep the following in mind, you will need to submit with your reports:

Receipts for all purchases made with grant funds
Proof of attendance/participation (Sign in sheets/ RSVP contact lists)
Photographs (10-15 per event/workshop)
Videos (social media reels, recap video, marketing videos, minimum 1)

4. Reports – You’re required to send us two reports -- a progress report and a final report:

Progress report to be completed at the halfway point via JotForm telling us what you’ve gotten done so far, what’s left to do, what (if any) challenges you’re facing, and how much you’ve spent.
Final report to be completed via JotForm, summarizing your project with a reflection of what you did, your overall experience.
⎯ A financial summary listing all expenses, with copies of receipts
⎯ Photographs of your project, and any completed work

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET AWARDED:

2026 TRENTON CREATIVE NETWORK (TCN) GRANT

OVERVIEW:

​The Trenton Creative Network Grant will fund projects that focus on the goals of the creek to canal.

Goals:

Expand access to arts education, workshops, and skill-building opportunities

Include and encourage collaboration across artistic disciplines

Uplift community identity, wellness, and lived experiences through creative expression

Creative uses of downtown spaces (storefronts, salons, sidewalks, lobbies, parks, vacant lots)

Creative projects that partner with downtown businesses (retailers, restaurants, salons, cafés, storefronts, organizations)

Timeline

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit an online form including:

​

Project description

Budget & Timeline

Portfolio or examples of past work (optional but recommended)

Marketing and Promotion Plan

Must provide a clear community benefit (not for private gain)

Must be non-discriminatory

Must benefit Downtown Trenton and its residents

Selection Criteria

​Applications will be evaluated based on:

​

Creativity & Innovation – Is the project unique and original?

Community Impact – How does it benefit or engage the community?

Feasibility – Can the project be realistically completed within the budget and timeline?

Alignment with Goals – Does the project support the program’s objectives?

Selection Process

Eligible Projects:

Grants may be used for projects related to:

Photography, videography, or oral history projects highlighting local artists, festivals, or organizations including a multi-location art walk or cultural crawl

Community cleanups with a creative component

Group Exhibitions

Photography​

Visual/Fine Arts

Multi-Disciplinary

Showcase/Performance (open mics, comedy shows, talent shows)

​Hands-on workshops, demonstrations, and skill-building opportunities led by local artists​​​

Fashion design, sewing, photography, or beauty workshops paired with a public showcase or exhibition

Live art, makeup, cosmetology, grooming, or self-care workshops​

Ineligible Projects

This grant will NOT fund:​

Discriminatory projects or organizations

Debt reduction or operational support

Capital campaigns or fundraising events

Re-granting programs

Scholarships

Partisan political activities, lobbying, or election influence

Religious activities (worship, instruction, proselytizing)

WHERE?

1. Before you start your project:

Sign a grant agreement.

2. Develop a schedule with the grant administrator to meet bi-weekly for check-ins.

3. As you do your project keep the following in mind, you will need to submit with your reports:

​

Receipts for all purchases made with grant funds

Proof of attendance/participation (Sign in sheets/ RSVP contact lists)

Photographs (10-15 per event/workshop)

Videos (social media reels, recap video, marketing videos, minimum 1)

4. Reports – You’re required to send us two reports -- a progress report and a final report:

Progress report to be completed at the halfway point via JotForm telling us what you’ve gotten done so far, what’s left to do, what (if any) challenges you’re facing, and how much you’ve spent.

Final report to be completed via JotForm, summarizing your project with a reflection of what you did, your overall experience. ⎯ A financial summary listing all expenses, with copies of receipts ⎯ Photographs of your project, and any completed work

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET AWARDED:

The Trenton Creative Network Grant will fund projects that focus on the goals of the creek to canal.

Applications will be evaluated based on:

Photography

Hands-on workshops, demonstrations, and skill-building opportunities led by local artists

Live art, makeup, cosmetology, grooming, or self-care workshops

This grant will NOT fund:

Final report to be completed via JotForm, summarizing your project with a reflection of what you did, your overall experience.
⎯ A financial summary listing all expenses, with copies of receipts
⎯ Photographs of your project, and any completed work