Over the years, the city’s Neighborhood Matching Fund has invested in dozens of arts and cultural projects across Seattle, ranging from renovated cultural facilities to community festivals to public art.

Over the years, the city’s Neighborhood Matching Fund has invested in dozens of arts and cultural projects across Seattle, ranging from renovated cultural facilities to community festivals to public art.

Have a community arts project in mind but need some start-up cash? The Department of Neighborhoods is hosting free informational workshops that offer an overview of the fund. Participants will learn about revised 2010 guidelines and application forms, project proposal development and successful outreach strategies.

Neighborhoods staff will host two workshops next week: 6 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 1, at the Douglass Truth Library, 2300 E. Yesler Way, and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S. Alaska St.

A required component of the program is its match provision. For most projects, the community is required to donate cash, volunteer labor or donated services or materials at least equal in value to the cash provided by the city.

The deadline for the Small and Simple Projects Fund is Jan. 11, 2010, and the Large Projects Fund Letter of Intent is due Feb. 8, 2010.

For more information or to RSVP to a workshop, contact Danielle Calloway, 206-733-9916.