Wyoming: Facebook Contest to Rename Grant Programs

Naming grant programs is an exercise in promotion and reflection for state arts agencies, but it also can be a means of constituency engagement. When the Wyoming Arts Council (WAC) had a new grant program to name as well as two existing programs to rename, it decided to crowdsource the christenings. Through its Facebook page, WAC held a Name the Grant Category Contest. By asking its stakeholders what the new names should be, WAC not only challenged them with a bit of public policy but also indirectly conducted a survey about their expectations for the grant programs. WAC received suggestions for 41 names and categories, including those with great acronyms (POP for “Project or Program” grants) and those that reach back to the Old West (“Barn Raising” and “Wagon Wheel” operating support grants). WAC staff will select winning entries by the end of June, choosing from those recommended by WAC’s board of directors. Winning entrants will receive a swag bag of books, note cards, DVDs and CDs by Wyoming artists. For more information, contact WAC Marketing and Communications Specialist Michael Shay.