INDIANA – Thursday, the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced it has awarded $3,431,351 to 414 nonprofits to fund arts projects and organizations around the state through the Arts Organization Support and Arts Project Support grant programs.
During its June 9 Quarterly Business Meeting, the Commission approved the funding recommendations for the two grant programs. Applications were reviewed by 146 panelists from around the state and country with expertise in the arts, community development, and nonprofit management.
Arts Organization Support grants provide annual operating support for the ongoing artistic and administrative functions of eligible arts organizations. Arts Project Support grants provide funding to Indiana 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations and public entities for a specific arts project or arts activity(ies). Between both programs, 75 of Indiana’s 92 counties will receive funding.
“The projects and organizations selected to receive funding are strengthening our state,” said Anne Penny Valentine, Chair of the Indiana Arts Commission. “The Commission is excited and honored to invest in Hoosier communities, supporting organizations that are doing exceptional creative work to make Indiana a great place to live, work, play, study, and stay.”
This year, changes to the AOS program were made to decrease barriers in the application process, increase support to smaller, emerging, and first-time applicants, and provide more meaningful award sizes to grant recipients through a field-driven input process. Learn more about this programmatic review.
Changes to the program resulted in increased support and access to small organizations and increased average overall award size statewide. The Arts Organization Support program received applications from 36 organizations not previously funded by the program, and funding to smaller organizations and rural communities increased.
Following are examples of arts organizations receiving Arts Organization Support awards:
- The Carnegie Heritage and Arts Center of Greene County (CHAC) dedicates itself to providing engaging artistic experiences for the communities in Greene County. Its arts programming includes an art studio space for local artists, art classes and camps for children, and a range of adult activities such as painting, knitting, and pottery. The CHAC also organizes the Linton Fall Arts Festival, which brings the community together through a celebration of regional artisans, food, and music.
- In Marshall County, Heartland Art Gallery is committed to furthering the arts in Plymouth and its surrounding areas. They provide a wide array of engaging programs and events for the community including two annual art exhibits, an art award for a deserving Marshall County high school senior, art classes for people of all ages, and a gallery that supports local artists.
View all Arts Organization Support recipients.
The Commission also voted to distribute funds from the Arts Trust, which is supported by the sale of the Celebrate the Arts license plate. One Arts Project Support grant recipient from every county with a funded application has been designated as an Arts Trust Project. Funding for these projects is supported in part through the Arts Trust Plate funding. Beneficiaries were selected based on exemplary commitment to community, education, economy, and health.
Following are examples of Arts Project Support recipients selected as Arts Trust License Plate beneficiaries:
- In Scottsburg, Bree’s Blessings utilizes the power of music and art for children who are undergoing cancer treatment. With the support of the Celebrate the Arts license plate, Bree’s Blessings will be presenting their third annual “Night to Remember.” This event will feature live music performed by children and families and a collaborative art display featuring children’s work. The “Night to Remember” brings the community together and raises awareness of childhood cancer.
- Central Indiana Powwow Inc. produces a two-day powwow and market, presents Native American art to fourth-grade students through a cultural diversity and awareness program, and offers an artist-in-residence program for secondary school art students to foster cultural awareness of Native American art, culture, dance, language, and music.
See the full list of Arts Trust License Plate beneficiaries.
View all Arts Project Support grant recipients.
“Art and creativity strengthen the fabric of Indiana’s communities. They promote connection and cohesion, foster the entrepreneurial spirit communities need to thrive and create the kinds of communities where people want to live,” said Miah Michaelsen, Executive Director of the Indiana Arts Commission. “In every corner of our state, public funding for arts and creativity continually proves to be a high-return investment that improves the quality of life of Hoosiers and drives economic development within our state.”
