The Operating and Project Support and Arts Learning sections of the CSG are competitive. Following a staff review of all applications for completion, the Operating and Project Support and Arts Learning sections of the application are reviewed by a panel. The panel consists of community members, artists, arts administrators, educators, and other individuals with expertise in these fields. The panelists independently read and rank all applications based on the evaluation criteria, which is available on the Arts Council website and within the grant application. Following the initial review and ranking of each application, the panels meet in person. The panel rankings, comments, and  funding recommendations are then sent to the Wyoming Arts Council board for review. The board votes to approve or amend rankings and funding. This decision is reviewed by the Wyoming Arts Council Executive Director before organizations are notified.

Wyoming Arts Council staff take the recommendations of the panels and apply a formula funding model. This formula funding model takes into consideration the ranking of applications from the panel review process and the number of funds available. The total amount of funds requested through CSG applications is higher than the amount that can be allocated. Some grants will not be funded while others will receive less funding than requested.

Grant applicants and the general public are invited to call in and listen to the Operating and Project Support and Arts Learning panel meetings. Public comments are not accepted at that time. Following the panel meetings, all applicants will receive an email with the panel’s recommended rankings and comments. This provides an opportunity for grantees to review both high and low-scoring applications for future grant writing development. Grantees and the general public are invited to attend or call into the Wyoming Arts Council board meeting when they review and vote on the panel recommendations. Public comment will be taken at that meeting before the board votes, and organizations who would like to share information about their grant application are encouraged to attend or call in. Meeting dates, times, locations, and call-in information will be sent to all grant applicants and shared through the Arts Council’s emails, website, and press releases.