For Immediate Release: March 20, 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 $9,313 in the March round of Mini Grants to organizations and individuals in Des Moines, Grinnell, Keokuk, Marquette and Spirit Lake. IAC received 28 eligible applications with requests totaling more than $37,000.
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.
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Iowa Arts Council MARCH 2008 Mini Grant Awards
Friends of the Sami Center, Spirit Lake
Simon Estes Master Class with Students
$1,500
Iowa born, international opera star Simon Estes will perform at the grand opening of the 1,000-seat Sami Bedell Center for the Performing Arts in Spirit Lake April 12. He will also conduct a master class for Spirit Lake vocal music students in grades 7-12 April 11.
Eric McIntyre, Grinnell
Theatrical Chamber Music and Narrative Improvisation
$1,400
Three Iowa musicians – French hornist/composer Eric McIntyre, mezzo-soprano Kimberly Fitch, and pianist Patrice Ewoldt – will perform free recitals that fuse musical performance, storytelling, acting and improvisation. The recitals will take place in three Iowa venues in May 2008.
Peggy Johnston, Des Moines
Attend Paper and Book Intensive 2008
$780
Peggy Johnston will use Iowa Arts Council funding to attend Paper and Book Intensive 2008, a working sabbatical for practitioners in the book arts, papermaking and conservation. Daily class sessions, lectures, discussions and share meals promote unusual levels of exchange and inspiration. The event will be held May 14-25 in Gatlin, Tenn.
Iowa Heritage Series: “Destination Iowa”
Des Moines Choral Society, Des Moines
$1,133
“Destination Iowa” is a choral and narrative performance that will celebrate the many homelands represented by Iowans, their cultures, music and values. The concert will take place April 26.
Civic Music Association, Des Moines
Partners in Music Education: The Ahn Trio
$1,500
Civic Music Association will present several Partners in Music Education events surrounding a concert featuring the internationally acclaimed Ahn Trio. Programs will include an interactive workshop at Merrill Middle School, a master class at Drake University and a post-concert reception co-hosted by the Young Professionals Connection of Des Moines.
Keokuk Art Center, Keokuk
Switchback School Program & Community Concert
$1,500
The Keokuk Art Center will sponsor a series of events by musicians Brian Fitzgerald and Marty McCormack April 22-24. The duo, known as Switchback, will introduce traditional Irish music to students within Keokuk’s elementary schools during the three days and then present a concert performance to the community at large on Thursday evening.
City of Marquette
Songs of Hope Concert
$1,500
Iowa Arts Council funding will bring Songs of Hope to residents and visitors of Marquette and from neighboring cities in July 2008. Songs of hope is a nationally recognized touring company of youth performers from countries worldwide, backed by an ensemble of professional musicians from Minneapolis/St. Paul.
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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.