Ed Lawrence

Public Information Officer

502-564-3757 x 4803

ed.lawrence@ky.gov

            (Frankfort, KY) — In light of severe budget constraints, the Kentucky Arts Council has folded several of the discontinued grant programs into the newly designed Arts Build Communities (ABC) program that forges partnerships between artists, arts organizations, schools and non-arts community organizations to increase participation in the arts.   "I'm sure we will find this seed money for arts and cultural partnerships positively affecting more people in more communities," says Arts Council executive director Gerri Combs. "We are creating a greater public value with fewer public dollars."

            ABC grants require partnership applicants consisting of an organization and an artist and encourage multiple partnerships that can include community organizations (arts and non-arts), schools, and local government agencies. Funded activities may include, but are not limited to residencies, the creation of new work, performances and exhibits, and significant public art forums that create meaningful dialogues.  Successful grantees can receive up to $5,000 in matching funds and artist residency fees may be paid up to $7,500.  Interested applicants must file an Intent to Apply form by March 1, 2004 and Application by March 31, 2004, for ABC projects occurring between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2005.

            Grant writing workshops will be held across the state to across the state to familiarize potential applicants with eligibility criteria and performance expectations of the Arts Build Communities program.

The first scheduled workshop will be in Paintsville at the Ramada Inn  on December 17^th from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. EST. The workshop is free but registration is requested. Contact Arts Council South/Southeast Region Circuit Rider Judy Sizemore at 606-364-5831 or circuit@prtcnet.org for Paintsville workshop information and registration.

            The second workshop will be in Bowling Green at the Capitol Arts Alliance on December 18^th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. CST. The workshop is free but registration is required by December 16^th 2003. Contact Arts Council Central/South Central Region Circuit Rider Pat Ritter at 270-433-5605 or artshare@hotmail.com for Bowling Green workshop information and registration.

            Additional ABC workshops in 2004 will be announced as dates and locations are finalized.  For Arts Build Communities grant guidelines and instructions, go to http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/prog7/abc_gdl.html. For more information about this program, please contact Amber Luallen, Community Arts Program Director, toll free at 1- 888-833-2787, ext. 4809 or by e-mail to amber.luallen@ky.gov.

            The Kentucky Arts Council is a state agency in the Education, Arts and Humanities Cabinet, established by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1965 by executive order to develop and promote support for the arts in Kentucky.  The Arts Council provides grants, awards and technical assistance to Kentucky artists, not-for-profit organizations, local governments and schools committed to providing arts and cultural programs and services to the public, contingent upon budgetary action of the Kentucky General Assembly and Partnership Agreement Grant funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.

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