Arts Council
Kentucky Arts Council Provides Funds for Emerging Arts Organizations
The Kentucky Arts Council recently awarded $24,500 in Community Arts Development Grants to support 16 rising arts organizations in developing programs that integrate arts into the community.
The Community Arts Development grant program offers operational funding support and provides technical assistance to new and emerging local arts organizations provides arts opportunities in Benton, Booneville, Gilbertsville, Hazard, Hindman, Irvine, Lexington, London, Louisville, Morganfield, Murray, Stanford, and Stanton.
"These grants are invaluable to small and emerging arts organizations, because they provide financial support and training to create stable, effective groups who can provide opportunities for their communities to participate in the arts," says Arts Council Executive Director Gerri Combs.
The program offers a three-year sequence of grants in sums of $500 in year one, $1,000 in year two and $2,000 in year three. In addition to funding, the program provides technical assistance to increase organizational development and stability when arts organizations need it most.
To be eligible for the grant in the first year, the organization or group must be sure to have a primary purpose of providing year-round arts services and programs directly for the benefit of the public and must be applying for or have received a Kentucky not-for-profit incorporation or IRS tax-exempt status. Second and third year grants are a progression through the program and are only available to those groups or organizations that have previously received Community Arts Development Grants and have successfully completed performance expectations. Additionally, two grants of $5,000 each were awarded to final year participants that began when Community Arts Development was a five-year program.
For further information about Community Arts Development Grants funded through the Kentucky Arts Council contact Artist and Community Arts Program Director Amber Luallen toll free at (888) 833-2287 or amber.luallen@ky.gov.
NOTE TO EDITORS: FY2006 Community Arts Development Grants recipients and contact information listed below.
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The Kentucky Arts Council is a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet that 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. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.
Community Arts Development Grants
COUNTY APPLICANT AMOUNT
Calloway Murray Art Guild $1,000
The Murray Art Guild is a visual arts organization established by community members and artists to enrich the lives of the community and provide a place for artists to work, display and sell their art.
Contact: Laura L. Miller
Murrayartguild@murray-ky.net
270-753-4059
Estill Estill Arts Council $5,000
The Estill Arts Council (EAC) was organized by local artisans and community leaders with the mission “to enrich the quality of life for area residents of all ages.” In partnership with the local community, EAC presents a variety of art forms, provides educational opportunities and supports and promotes area groups and artisans. Their main objective is to demystify what constitutes “the arts,” and make the connection between the arts and resident’s daily lives.
Contact: Cynthia Cusick, President
citygirl@ademus.net
606-723-8454
Fayette Sisohpromatem Art Foundation Inc $1,000
Sisohpromaterm Art Foundation, Inc. (SAF, Inc.) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational, fun and uplifting arts programming for youth and families, at no—or low—cost to participants. SAF, Inc. seeks to bring about social change by offering artists the opportunity to teach predominately at-risk youth, as well as exposing them to multicultural instructors.
Contact: Kenneth H. Brooks
SAFlex@aol.com
859-255-5127
Jefferson The Furnace, Inc. $1,000
The Furnace, Inc. is a venue in which local and regional independent artists, interested in clay and sculpture, can interact with their peers on a regional, national, and international level to meet their aesthetic, technical, and professional needs. It is also a center for educational programs that foster a joy and appreciation of ceramics and sculpture in the Louisville community and outlying areas. The Furnace engages in collaborations with other community and arts organizations to build resources and programs that benefit both the ceramic arts community and community at large.
Contact: Tom Herndon
tompots@aol.com
502-931-0844
Jefferson Squallis Puppeteers Inc $1,000
Squallis Puppeteers, Inc. is a group of performers with the mission to expand puppetry by performing innovative theatre, exploring original puppet design and engaging imaginations. Squallis art activities include indoor and outdoor puppet performances for all ages, various educational workshops of different lengths, and puppet sales and commissions. They also teach puppetry in schools, treatment centers, and community centers.
Contact: Jess Myers, Co-Executive Director
squallispuppeteers@yahoo.com
502-540-4977
Jefferson Creative Diversity Studio, Inc. $1,000
Creative Diversity Studio, Inc. provides an environment for visual artists with disabilities to nurture and develop their artistic talents with their non-disabled peers. The studio has also provided programming that offers instruction and guidance on professional development for those seeking art as a means of financial support.
Contact: Amy Marlatt, Director
info@creativediversity.org
502-767-4723
Jefferson Dance! Kentucky $500
Dance! Kentucky is a non-profit organization that will develop a network of resources and support and act as an advocating agency focusing on the importance of dance in Kentucky. Their mission is to promote and support the art of dance and dance education throughout the state.
Contact: Antoinette Crawford-Willis, Executive Director
AntoinetteEdctr@aol.com
502-231-1251
Knott Hillfolk Arts Guild $1,000
The Hillfolk Arts Guild was formed to promote the arts in a variety of disciplines as well as provide a voice for artisans in the Knott and the surrounding area. The arts have been promoted through regular meetings held by the membership that facilitate sharing of information among members, organizing local exhibits and craft fairs, preserving local heritage through educational programs in the schools, and promoting awareness of local talent through local media exposure.
Contact: Larry Parke, President
Larry.Parke@kctcs@edu
800-246-7521
Laurel London Community Orchestra, Inc. $2,000
The London Community Orchestra, Inc. provides area instrumentalists an opportunity to provide orchestral music to the London community and surrounding counties. In addition, the orchestra is to partner with area musicians and artists to increase musical and artistic cultural diversity to the region. They also take orchestral programs to adults and children in the region who may not otherwise have an opportunity to experience orchestral music or the instruments used in these productions. The orchestra reaches out to area school children, economically disadvantaged, socially isolated, and minority populations in the region.
Contact: Sallie Jackson-Thayer, Board Member, and Grant Writer
Salliej.Thayer@ky.gov
606-864-4764
Lincoln Lincoln County Arts League $500
The Lincoln County Arts League is committed to increasing awareness and understanding of the arts by educating, preserving and promoting art and artists in and around Lincoln County.
Contact: Luzia Foster, Director
blue@kycom.net
606-365-2883
Marshall Marshall County Commission for the Arts $1,000
The Marshall County Commission for the Arts was created in recognition of the importance of the arts in the lives of area residents. Their mission is to develop a further appreciation in the community for the cultural heritage of the arts. They offer support, encouragement and opportunities to residents involved in the performing and visual arts in addition to educating the community in the arts through a balanced exposure to all arts disciplines.
Contact: Karen McLeod
kmcleod@wk.net
270-527-3876
Marshall Choral Ambassadors of Western Kentucky $1,000
The Choral Ambassadors of Western Kentucky are high school students from Paducah/ McCracken Counties. The purpose of the ambassadors is to allow the members to participate in an ensemble that upholds the highest possible musical standards while enabling the community to appreciate the quality music.
Contact: Tony Whitfield
tgw@paducah.com
270-362-0436
Owsley Owsley County Arts Council $1,000
The Owsley County Arts Council is a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve and promote cultural heritage and foster creativity of traditional and non-traditional art forms in Owsley County and the surrounding region. Some of the activities the council promotes throughout the year include classes, demonstrations, performances, festivals, lectures, contests and social gatherings.
Contact: Nancy K. Gabbard, President
nancyg@prtcnet.org
606-593-6865
Perry Art of the Mountains $2,000
Art of the Mountains was created with the mission to increase public awareness of the areas’ unique heritage and talent. They have since been providing programming to both youth and adults through a variety of activities.
Contact: Glenna Wooten
gwooten@uky.edu
606-436-2044
Powell Kentucky Mountain Creative Coalition $500
The Kentucky Mountain Creative Coalition was formed to preserve, promote and develop cultural heritage and creativity of traditional and non-traditional literary, visual, performing and handcraft artists of Powell County and the surrounding region.
Contact: Jonnie Southworth
kymtnartcraftculture@yahoo.com
606-663-2832
Union Unicorn Players of Union Co Kentucky, Inc. $5,000
The Unicorn Players is a Community Theatre organization whose mission is to create an interest in theatre in the community and give exposure to a variety of plays that in return will provide a creative outlet for people interested in the theatre arts.
Contact: Judy Holiday
cmcelroy@ervincable.com
270-389-9121
TOTAL $24,500