Ed Lawrence

Public Information Officer

(502) 564-9746

Building on the successes of last year’s introduction of the Arts Build Communities grant program, the Arts Council is once again offering this partnership building grant to Kentucky artists or organizations that will take the lead in developing and implementing programs that increase participation in the arts, broaden the understanding of how the arts benefit a community, and form partnerships that strengthen communities through integration of the arts. The Arts Build Communities grant has provided funding for the current multi-cultural installation of Thresholds: Expressions of Arts and Spiritual Life in Lexington, the creation of a sculpture involving alternative high school students to grace the new Oldham County Arts Center, the reenactment of Robert F. Kennedy’s visit to Eastern Kentucky and the mosaic gateway signs that identify the neighborhoods of Covington, to name a few. A total of 35 Arts Build Communities grants were awarded last year.

“The beauty of a partnership grant like this,” says Arts Council spokesman Ed Lawrence, “is that it connects artists to the work that community organizations are doing.   Once those partnerships are formed, they usually last long after the grant project is completed.  Partnerships are a great way to leverage the state’s initial grant investment.”  The lead applicant may be an artist or an organization (not necessarily an arts organization), but the program requires a partnership of at least those two entities and encourages multiple community partners.  Arts Build Communities grants for projects are up to $5,000 and may not exceed one-half of the total project budget.  Additionally artist residencies may be granted up to $7,500.

Artists and organizations interested in applying to the Arts Build Communities grant program must submit an Intent to Apply form by February 15, 2005. The guidelines and instructions are available at http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/prog7/abc_gdl.html . The completed application must be postmarked by March 31, 2005. For further information about the Arts Builds Communities program, contact Artists and Communities Program Director Amber Luallen at 502-564-5116 or amber.luallen@ky.gov.

- ### -

The Kentucky Arts Council is a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet.  Working in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Arts Council invests in programs that develop vibrant communities, provide lifelong education in the arts and support arts participation.  Every $1 in grant funds awarded by the Kentucky Arts Council helps grantees secure $15 in earned income and matching funds from individuals, philanthropic sources and other levels of government.