For Immediate Release: March 3, 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 a combined total of $10,337 in the February round of Mini Grants to organizations and individuals in Adel, Ames, Des Moines, Kalona, Indianola, Mount Vernon and Rock Island. IAC received 25 eligible applications with requests totaling more than $34,000.
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 FEBRUARY 2008 Mini Grant Awards
“That’s ESTHERTAINMENT, Too!”
Temple B’nai Jeshurun, Des Moines
$1,500
In this traditional Jewish cultural art form, the story of Queen Esther is told through a parody of songs from American musical theater. Author/director Laura Berkson teams with Cantor Debbie Bletstein of Tifereth Israel Synagogue to lead a multigenerational ensemble of more than 50 people. Temple B’nai Jeshurun will use funding for rental of sound and lighting equipment for the production.
Willow Fish Workshop
Reiman Gardens, Ames
$700
In 2008, Reiman Gardens’ theme, “A Novel Garden,” interweaves garden design with literature. This grant will fund two workshops for the general public to create willow fish to support a large-scale Moby Dick willow-art installation. Local artists Pam Dennis and Ryk Weiss will conduct the class and create the willow sculptures.
Celebrating the Midwest with Portraits of the Prairi
Kalona Public Library, Kalona
$1,500
The Kalona Public Library, Mid-Prairie Schools and rural home school students will collaborate to produce the play, “Portraits of the Prairie” for the public April 9. Local author Mary Swander wrote the play and funding supports the Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre Company to provide the set, script, puppets, music and stage equipment.
“I’m Gonna Jazz My Way”
John Benoit, Indianola
$1,500
In March, the Des Moines-based Ballyhoo Foxtrot Orchestra, a nine-piece musical ensemble specializing in the music of the 1910s and 1920s, will record its first CD with grant funding from the Iowa Arts Council. Titled, “I’m Gonna Jazz My Way,” the CD will feature songs that celebrate significant events in the lives of Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.
Israel’s 60th Birthday Celebrates with Ofra Yitzhaki, Pianist
Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, Rock Island
$975
2008 is Israel’s 60th birthday. The Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities is celebrating this occasion by presenting a series of artists, speakers and films highlighting Israel’s many accomplishments since its statehood. Funding will support artist Ofra Yitzhaki’s performance March 15 at St. Ambrose University in Davenport.
Swingle Singers in Iowa
Iowa Choral Directors Association, Inc., Mount Vernon
$1,500
With grant funding, the Iowa Choral Directors Association (ICDA) in conjunction with DMACC-Ankeny, will sponsor a Swingle Singers workshop for community college music students and a public performance. The Swingle Singers are world renowned specialists in a style which uses the voice as an instrument in a fusion of jazz and classical genres.
Advancement in Artistry
Audrey Greime, Des Moines
$1,162
Funding from this grant will allow soprano Audrey Greime to continue her professional development as a classical vocal performer through private voice instruction with Dr. Virginia Croskery; and body mapping lessons with Professor Janet Alcorn from March 1-June 30, to improve Greime’s overall craft as a singer/actor.
Eulenspiegel Puppets at Iowa Book Festival
Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce, Adel
$1,500
Grant funding supports a three-day community residency with Eulenspiegel Puppets during the 2nd Annual Iowa Book Festival. The residency will involve Adel Elementary School students, the community and Iowa Book Festival participants.
###
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. Please visit www.iowaartscouncil.org for more information.