DCA awards 14 arts, history and cultural grants
Small Operating Support grants support quality of life efforts in Iowa
For Immediate Release August 22, 2008
(DES MOINES, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs today announced it has awarded 14 Small Operating Support grants totaling $42,130 to support quality of life efforts in Iowa communities.
The SOS program is designed to help small and mid-sized arts, history and cultural organizations with operational expenses. Applicants may apply for no more than five percent of their previous year’s operating budget, up to a maximum of $5,000. DCA received 33 eligible Small Operating Support grant applications requesting $80,291 in funding for fiscal year 2009.
“These grants help to build our state’s cultural infrastructure in small ways that make a big difference to arts, history and cultural organizations throughout Iowa,” Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Cyndi Pederson said.
Grant recipients may use the funds for expenditures occurring Sept. 1, 2008-June 30, 2009, including personnel, equipment purchases, new member challenge drives to match membership dues, software purchases, staff training or marketing and promotional expenses. The SOS grant funds may not be used for capital expenses or for political lobbying activities, or as matching funds for activities already receiving funds from another DCA grant program.
More information about the SOS grant program is available at www.culturalaffairs.org. Following is the list of fiscal year 2009 SOS grant recipients announced today:
(City)
(Organization)
(Project Description)
(Grant Amount)
Amana
Amana Arts Guild
SOS funding will support the director and gallery manager salaries of the Amana Arts Guild.
$4,268
Ames
ACTORS, Inc. (Ames Community Theatre)
ACTORS Inc. will use SOS funding to purchase membership, volunteer and fundraising management software. By creating, maintaining and utilizing the data from the organization’s history and future events they can publicize and promote volunteer opportunities and the availability of their fine arts programs and services to the community.
$3,500
Burlington
Des Moines County Historical Society
During the time in which the former library is being transformed into the new Des Moines County Historical Museum, SOS funding will assist with utility payments, a major expense at a time when the museum is not yet generating income.
$5,000
Carroll
All Strings Attached
SOS funding will support the marketing plans for All Strings Attached and its music mentoring program.
$4,575
Des Moines
Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus
SOS funding will help Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus with Web development and graphic design costs. A graphic artist/Web developer will build a print identity and a clear, navigable Web presence for the organization.
$2,000
Indianola
Warren County Historical Society
SOS funding will enable the Warren County Historical Society to purchase software and associated resources to catalog and index the contents of their library and museum as well as assist volunteers and patrons for research.
$1,363
Le Mars
Le Mars Arts Council
SOS funding will allow the Executive Director of the Le Mars Arts Council to attend six sessions at the Fundraising University in Sioux City and gain essential information to lead the Le Mars Arts Council to financial stability and success.
$500
Mason City
Wright on the Park
SOS Funding will help Wright on the Park to enhance programming technology by updating the Web site and conversion to a Content Management System allowing staff to update the site in a timely manner. They will also purchase photo/videographic equipment to enable staff to continue archiving and digitalizing the restoration process of the Wright designed properties.
$3,800
Montrose
Montrose Riverfront, Inc.
SOS funding will assist with the expansion of Montrose Riverfront, Inc., Hunold Heritage Center to accommodate the growing collection of historical photos and artifacts.
$1,800
New London
Dover Historical Society
SOS funding will purchase a 4 x 8 portable sign to be placed along Highway 34 for the Dover Museum, programming of hands-on-summer activities for school-age children, and the remainder will be applied toward climate control for the preservation of museum artifacts.
$1,000
Ottumwa
Greater Ottumwa Vocal Arts Project
SOS funding will allow the Greater Ottumwa Vocal Arts Project to purchase a new electronic keyboard and sound equipment. This will better enable the group to perform in new venues and increase their visibility within the region.
$3,994
Story City
Story City Greater Chamber Connection
SOS funding will assist hiring a grant researcher and writer to expand opportunities for research and funding the antique carousel, art center and historic Charlson building. The Story City Greater Community Congress works to preserve and enhance the quality of life in the community, with historic preservation and development of cultural opportunities.
$5,000
West Des Moines
Tandem Theatre and Dance/Hurley & Dancers
Spring 2009 Dance Concert is a self-produced concert that will take place at the Des Moines Playhouse. Tandem Theatre and Dance/Hurley & Dancers will use SOS funding to support the salary of contract employees/professional dancers.
$330
West Liberty
Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre Co.
The Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre will use SOS funding to expand its outreach program with intergenerational community-building projects at Owl Glass Puppetry Center in West Liberty, and radiate out to the entire state. The activities, designed to attract participants of all ages, include puppet building and performances. The company will hire an Outreach Director to facilitate the project.
$5,000
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The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is responsible for developing the state’s interest in the areas of the arts, history and other cultural matters with the advice and assistance from its two divisions: the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa Arts Council. DCA preserves, researches, interprets and promotes an awareness and understanding of local, state and regional history and stimulates and encourages the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and public interest and participation in them. It implements tourism-related art and history projects as directed by the General Assembly and designs a comprehensive, statewide, long-range plan with the assistance of the Iowa Arts Council to develop the arts in Iowa. More information about DCA is available at www.culturalaffairs.org.
