For Immediate Release: September 18, 2009
Contact: Jeff Morgan
Public Relations
515.281.3858
Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov
Iowa Arts Council Announces September Mini Grant Awards
(DES MOINES, Iowa) - The Iowa Arts Council has awarded $7,200 in the September round of Mini Grants to 5 organizations and individuals in Cedar Rapids, Coon Rapids, Davenport, Des Moines, and Marion. IAC received 11 eligible applications with requests totaling more than $15,000.
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 SEPTEMBER 2009 Mini Grant Awards
Karen Kurka Jensen, Cedar Rapids
“The Spirit of Sumi-e: Introduction to the Art of East Asian Brush Painting”
$1,200
Local sumi-e artist, Karen Kurka Jensen, will use IAC grant funding to teach a six-week workshop in the art of sumi-e, East Asian brush painting. Classes will be held Saturdays at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, 410 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, from Oct. 24-Dec. 5, 2009.
Karan Founds-Benton, Coon Rapids
Artistic Preparation for Preview of "Driving The Body Back"
$1,500
Karan Founds-Benton will work with veteran director Michael Sokoloff and poet Mary Swander to prepare the preview of "Driving The Body Back," a one-woman staging of Swander's acclaimed set of poems. The preview will be Nov. 6 in Ames.
River Music Experience, Davenport
Brink Festival of World Music
$1,500
River Music Experience will use IAC funding to support a day of concerts, interactive workshops and jams that celebrate and document world music. Performers include Chicago Afrobeat Project, Tim Britton, Olenka, Ragaman, Terry Hanson, and more. The event will be Saturday, Oct. 3 from 3 p.m.-midnight in downtown Davenport.
Hoover High School Band Department, Des Moines
Des Moines Hoover High School Jazz Band Residency
$1,500
The Des Moines Hoover High School Band will participate in an Artist in Residency program with two local jazz musicians: Susie Miget and Don Jacques. Program activities will take place over six days of jazz residency and include jazz band and combo rehearsals, individual improvisation lessons, artist demonstrations, and a final public concert.
Ismail Abed Alyassiri, Marion
Traditional Iraqi Oud Professional Development
$1,500
Ismail Abed Alyassiri will expand his knowledge playing Iraqi traditional oud music from master musician Ali Hassan. Alyassiri will study with Hassan for one month in Baghdad, Iraq. His goal is to improve his playing and repertoire so he can share his new skill with Iowans and cultural organizations.
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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.