For Immediate Release: August 28, 2009
Contact: Jeff Morgan
Public Relations
515.281.3858
Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov
Iowa Arts Council Announces July & August Mini Grant Awards
Artists and arts organizations can visit one-on-one with IAC staff
(DES MOINES, Iowa) — The Iowa Arts Council has awarded a total of $16,500 for the July and August 2009 rounds of Mini Grants to 11 organizations and individuals in Brooklyn, Cedar Falls, Davenport, Des Moines, Fairfield, Iowa City, Story City and Waterloo. Over the two months, the IAC received 27 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.
“It’s always intriguing and exciting to see the wonderful, creative ways in which Iowans are bringing the arts into the lives of their fellow citizens,” 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 July 2009 Mini Grant Awards
Gillian Brown, Fairfield
“The Shape of the Universe” Translucent Sculpture Incorporating Video
$1,500
Gillian Brown will use IAC grant funding to develop new work entitled “The Shape of the Universe” for the series “On Becoming,” in which projected video within translucent sculptures become meditations on the origins of the universe. This work will be exhibited in Iowa. The artist will document the work for new promotional DVD to send out locally and nationally.
Cynthia A. Goatley, Waterloo
Development Workshop of an Original Musical by Burkhardt & Goatley
$1,500
IAC funding will support the new musical, “Scotch Verdict” by Rebecca Burkhardt and Cynthia Goatley, to undergo a two-week developmental workshop and performance led by Chicago director, Elizabeth Margolius. Two Iowa accompanists, Joel Waggoner, University of Northern Iowa alumnus, and Robin Guy, UNI Professor of piano, will serve as members of the artistic team.
Story City Greater Chamber Connection, Story City
“STORY! Celebrating the Art of Storytelling”
$1,500
The Story City Greater Chamber Connection will host 2009 STORY! September 18-20, 2009. This 4th annual storytelling event will include nationally recognized tellers La’Ron Williams, Dovie Thomason, Jackie Thompson, Kevin Kling, and local talent. Artists will teach workshops and share storytelling with area schools from Sept. 14-18, at a local nursing home, and at public concerts.
Katherine S. Busenbarrick, Des Moines
“The Sweaters of Tessy Lilac”
$1,500
Author Katherine S. Busenbarrick will use grant funds to write a novella. Told from the flawed, but funny perspective of a helpful friend, “The Sweaters of Tessy Lilac” is the chronicle of one Iowa woman’s sorrows and sweaters.
Bruce Walters, Davenport
Halloween Flight -framing and large digital printing
$1,500
Bruce Walters will use IAC grant funds for framing and large digital printing expenses for a solo art exhibition at the Western Illinois University Art Gallery, October-November, 2009. These works will also be included in a solo exhibition at the Quad City Arts Center Gallery in 2010.
Francesca Hoerlein, Fairfield
Fairytale Puppet Project
$1,500
Iowa artist Francesca Hoerlein will create 13 paper mâché fairytale hand puppets 12”-24” tall, plus props for three fairytale puppet shows (approximately 147 hours of work).
Iowa Arts Council AUGUST 2009 Mini Grant Awards
Laurie Haag, Iowa City
Iowa Women’s Music Festival
$1,500
The Iowa Women’s Music Festival will be Sept. 12, 2009 in Iowa City. The free, outdoor concert features Kim-Char Meredith, Lynne Rothrock, Tracy Walker, Cosy Sheridan, Carolyn Wonderland w/Shelley King, and Michelle Shocked. An evening event features Iowa artists Leslie and the LY’s and the Jodie Foster Connection.
Jeremy Jackson, Iowa City
Family Memoir Revisions
$1,500
Jeremy Jackson will use funding to complete a significant revision of his family memoir, “I Will Not Leave You Comfortless.”
Kui-Im Lee, Cedar Falls
CD Recording and Release
$1,500
Funding for this project supports the recording and release of Kui-Im Lee’s organ performance at Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, University of Northern Iowa. The project will serve to commemorate the 10th anniversary (2010) of the Performing Arts Center and its organ, Hellmuth Wolff et Associes, Opus 43.
Donna Stack, Brooklyn
“Refuge(e) Iowa” Multimedia Installation
$1,500
Donna Stack will exhibit a multimedia installation titled “Refuge(e) Iowa” at Mount Mercy College Nov. 10-Dec.11, 2009. The installation deals with issues relating to her recent relocation and acclimation to Iowa as experienced through the four elements of earth, water, air, and fire.
Amanda McCandless, Cedar Falls
Verdehr Trio Recital
$1,500
The Verdehr Trio will perform a public recital October 3, 2009 in Bengtson Auditorium at the University of Northern Iowa. Members of the trio - Elsa-Ludewig-Verdehr, clarinet, Walter Verdehr, violin, and Sylvia Roederer, piano - will each present a master class for UNI students and local middle and high school students.
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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 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. More information at www.iowaartscouncil.org.