For Immediate Release: November 26, 2007
Contact: Jeff Morgan
Public Relations
515.281.3858
Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov
Iowa Arts Council announces Mini Grant Awards
(DES MOINES, Iowa) – The Iowa Arts Council has awarded $8,775 in Mini Grants to organizations and individuals in Coralville, Des Moines, Iowa City, Lamoni, Muscatine, Norwalk and West Des Moines. IAC received 11 eligible applications with requests totaling nearly $16,000.
The Iowa Arts Council works to enrich the quality of life and learning in Iowa communities by encouraging excellence in the arts through leadership, grants and technical assistance.
Mini Grants are awarded each month, and applicants may request up to $1,500 in funding, which they must match.
“The diverse group of projects in this list is exciting,” said Mary Sundet Jones, Iowa Arts Council administrator. “These public funds are truly supporting meaningful projects for artists and communities. The arts are alive and well in Iowa.”
Applications for Mini Grants must be received the first working day of the month before the intended activity begins. More information and application guidelines and rules can be viewed at www.iowaartscouncil.org.
The Iowa Arts Council is a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and works to enrich the quality of life for Iowans through support of the arts. Funding for the Iowa Arts Council and its programs is provided by the State of Iowa and the National Endowment for the Arts. Please visit www.iowaartscouncil.org for more information.
Iowa Arts Council November 2007 Mini Grant Awards
The Great State History Play
Lakewood Elementary School, Norwalk
$975
Fax Gilbert will direct the students in “The Great State History Play,” the final activity in a study unit on Iowa history. The activity will help students make personal connections to history through participation.
Seven Sins
Iowa Scriptwriters Alliance, West Des Moines
$1,300
The Iowa Scriptwriters Alliance will give seven Iowa playwrights a chance to have their short plays produced, each based on one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Many more writers will be invited to see the production side of theater as well. Each play will run from five to 15 minutes in length and be produced at the 4th Street Theatre in Des Moines in April, 2008.
Peripheral Visions
Larassa Kabel, Des Moines
$1,300
Artist Larassa Kabel will create a new body of work consisting of eight oil paintings and six charcoal drawings exploring the phenomenon of peripheral vision. The completed paintings and drawings will be shown in a solo exhibition, then used in a promotional CD to gain new gallery representation.
The Burlington Street Bluegrass Band CD Project
Alan Murphy, Iowa City
$1,300
The Burlington Street Bluegrass Band includes Iowa musicians Mike Finders, Dale Thomas, Bob Black, Alan Murphy, Joe Peterson and Aleta Murphy. The band will use grant funds to create a CD of traditional and original music, recording its work for posterity, and to meet demand from its growing audience.
Captain’s Verses Music Project
David Rogers, Coralville
$1,300
Captain’s Verses, and Iowa folk-rock band, will manufacture and promote their debut album. The release of the album and supporting performances will strengthen their ties to the Iowa music scene and help spread Iowa music throughout the state.
“Portraits of the Prairie”
Musser Public Library, Muscatine
$1,300
Eulenspiegel Puppets will instruct home schooled students in the art of puppet making and puppetry Dec. 27 & 28; then help them present the Eulenspiegel “Portraits of the Prairie” show at Muscatine County Conservation Discovery Park Dec. 29. Two free, supplemental puppetry workshops will also be available free of charge for young library patrons.
The Nutcracker Ballet}
Graceland University, Lamoni
$1,300
Graceland University will host David Taylor Dance Theatre’s production of the holiday favorite “The Nutcracker.” This particular production will utilize children from surrounding communities to take part.
###