Columbus, Ohio – The Greater Columbus Arts Council Board of Trustees today approved eight grants totaling $110,225 for the first round of Project Support grants in 2012. Over 1.5 million audience members will be served through these projects and the projects will support nearly 750 artists. Additionally the Board approved five BOOST grants totaling $18,665 and $11,250 in Artists in the Community grants.
Festivals and performing arts were among the primary applicants for the spring grants. Assistance from GCAC will enable Columbus residents and visitors to enjoy an expanded Asian Festival that will include dragon boat races on May 28, the Ohioana Book Festival on May 12 and the JuneteenthOhio Festival, June 22-24. In addition, Kristina Isabelle Dance will create site specific new works; Columbus Public Art 2012 will install exciting temporary art works throughout the downtown area; and the Somali Culture Festival will bring the Somali community together with their Northland neighbors on July 1.
There are three more deadlines for project support in 2011—April 16, July 16 and October 15.
PROJECT SUPPORT: Project Support grants provide funding for the numerous short-term cultural activities that give Columbus its vitality. GCAC awarded $110,225 in Project Support grants to the following organizations and projects:
Applicant Name / Application Title / Amount Awarded
Asian Festival Corp. / Celebrate Asian Festival with 200Columbus / $27,625
Ohioana Library / 2012 Ohioana Book Festival / $20,400
Alkebulan / 22nd Annual Juneteenth Ohio Festival / $11,000
WaterFire Columbus / 2012 Season / $18,750
Somali Cultural and Research Institute / Somali Culture Festival / $1,500
Columbus Public Art / Finding Time / $16,007
Kristina Isabelle Dance Company / The Memory Re-Mix Project / $4,241
Short North Stage / Cabaret / $10,702
TOTAL: $110,225
BOOST: BOOST (Broadening Organization’s Overall Skills and Technology) is a capacity-building program supporting the governance, leadership, technology and professional development needs of not-for-profit arts organizations. Applicants are encouraged to make a long-term commitment to continuous improvement and to develop skills that result in benefits not only to the organization, but to the larger arts community. Applications are accepted monthly and are funded on a first come, first served basis.
Applicant Name / Application Title / Amount Awarded
Wild Goose Creative /Independent Audit of Finances / $3,800
Jazz Arts Group / Jazz Audiences Initiative, Phase 2 / $6,000
Columbus Children’s Choir / Rebranding initiative / $3,500
OhioDance / Dance/USA annual conference / $365
Short North Stage / Website Design & Development / $5,000
TOTAL: $18,665
ARTISTS IN THE COMMUNITY: Support for artists is provided through Professional Development Assistance and Supply Grants. These support programs give artists in the community the opportunity to enhance their skills and create work that helps drive the vibrancy of the arts in Columbus and Franklin County. Applications are accepted monthly and are funded on a first come, first served basis. The grants awarded for January and February include:
SUPPLY GRANTS
Tatyana Branham, $500; Keely Glenn, $475; Thomas M. Kelly, $400; Zuzana Muranicova, $475; Bradley Olsen, $475; Nikki Skrinak, $500; Aaron Thomas, $475; Debra James Tucker, $350; Cynthia Vardhan, $250
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
John Also Bennett, $950; Noelle Chun, $750; Amy Drake, $950; Keely Green, $900; Stacy Leeman, $950; Andrea Myers, $950; Kelly Nye, $950; James Payne, $950
For more information on GCAC community funding, including guidelines and upcoming deadlines, go togcac.org.
About the Greater Columbus Arts Council: Through vision and leadership, advocacy and collaboration, the Greater Columbus Arts Council supports art and advances the culture of the region. A catalyst for excellence and innovation, we fund exemplary artists and arts organizations and provide programs, events and services of public value that educate and engage all audiences in our community. GCAC thanks the City of Columbus, Franklin County, the Ohio Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts for their continued support.
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CONTACT: Jami Goldstein
(614) 221-8492
jgoldstein@gcac.org
