For Immediate Release: October 21, 2008
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 $9,000 in the October round of Mini Grants to organizations and individuals in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Fairfield, Iowa City, Pella and Sioux City. IAC received 15 eligible applications with requests totaling $22,500.
Mini Grants are awarded each month, and applicants may request up to $1,500 in funding, which they must match.
“Mini Grant reviews are becoming more and more difficult – it’s always been competitive, but in the past three months we’ve had 50% more applications, on average, than in the same three months a year ago,” said Mary Sundet Jones, Iowa Arts Council administrator. “There are so many more great arts activities occurring than we can possibly support. The good news is that 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 OCTOBER 2008 Mini Grant Awards
Iowa City Community School District, Iowa City
The King’s Singers Workshop in Iowa City Community Schools Choral Programs
$1,500
The King’s Singers will present a choral workshop Dec. 2 for the vocal music students at City High School and West High School in Iowa City. Also that night, they will present a public concert as part of the Family Concert Series administered by Dr. Greg Grove and Diane Thayer of Iowa City.
Iowa Contemporary Arts (ICON), Fairfield
Marketing for Large Works, Small Works Shows
$1,500
Iowa Contemporary Arts (ICON) in Fairfield will present the 2nd Annual Large Works Show Nov. 7, 2008-Jan. 17, 2009. The show will feature large-scale works by prominent Iowa artists. Grant funds will be used for marketing expenses, including the design and insertion of large print ads in two major Iowa cultural magazines; design, printing, and distribution of poster and postcard mailing expenses.
Tanager Place, Cedar Rapids
Crayon Conversations
$1,500
Participation in the arts opens new worlds to all children, but it is an effective and critical resource when faced with trauma. Cedar Rapids children have been suffering since the summer floods. IAC grant funding will allow Crayon Conversations to help these students rebuild and refocus on their new neighborhoods and their new surroundings.
Central College Theatre Department, Pella
5-Day Residency with Playwright Jon Berry
$1,500
IAC funding supports the residency of playwright Jon Berry as part of Theatre Central’s ongoing effort to encourage and promote collaborative opportunities between artists; to support and participate in the creation of new work; to expose students and the community to the process of developing original material; and to expand artistic offerings.
Department of Music, Briar Cliff University, Sioux City
Christmas at the Orpheum
$1,500
Christmas at the Orpheum is a collaborative performing arts event featuring the Briar Cliff University Choirs, Sioux City Symphony Orchestra, Morningside Lutheran Church Celebration Choir, Grace United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, soprano Shannon Salyards, pianist Richard Steinbach, and conductor Sean Burton. The event will be Friday, Nov. 21.
Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus
Winter Solstice
$1,500
Funding will support the Winter Solstice concerts, December 18 and 19. The Chorus will collaborate with Kathleen Hurley, choreographer, and five dancers (Alissa Hamer, Luba Aginsky, Emily VanderLinden, Kaytlin Rice and Madeline Palmer-Chase) to dance with monumental sized pieces of china silk. The Chorus will also collaborate with Chorus poet Bill Nolan on a new work. The event will be held at the Grand Hall of the Temple for Performing Arts in downtown Des Moines.
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The Iowa Arts Council is a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and works to enrich the quality of life and learning in Iowa communities by encouraging excellence in the arts through leadership, grants and technical assistance. Funding for the Iowa Arts Council and its programs is provided by the State of Iowa and the National Endowment for the Arts. More information about IAC is available at www.iowaartscouncil.org.