Governor Culver, Lt. Governor Judge Announce 17 Arts, History and Cultural Grants
Small Operating Support Grants Strengthen Quality-of-Life Efforts in Iowa
For Immediate Release August 17, 2009
(DES MOINES, Iowa) – Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge today announced 17 grants totaling $43,500 to support small and mid-sized arts, history and cultural organizations in Iowa.
“As we continue to move forward with our economic recovery, it is important that we maintain and strengthen our cultural infrastructure,” Governor Culver said. “Iowa’s arts, history and cultural organizations make significant contributions to our economy and quality of life, and these grants will help them, in very practical ways, as they work to make our communities more vibrant and exciting places to live and work and raise a family.”
“During my travels throughout the state, I see the incredible work being done by Iowa’s arts, history and cultural leaders and workers,” Lt. Governor Judge said. “I continue to be inspired by their dedication to their crafts, their professions and their service to the people of Iowa.”
The Department of Cultural Affairs’ Small Operating Support grant program is designed to help small and mid-sized arts, history and cultural organizations with operational expenses, such as personnel, equipment purchases, software purchases, staff training or marketing and promotional expenses.
Applicants may apply for no more than five percent of their previous year’s operating budget, up to a maximum of $5,000. Grant recipients may use the funds for expenditures occurring Sept. 1, 2009-June 30, 2010. More information about the SOS grant program is available at www.culturalaffairs.org.
Following is the list of fiscal year 2010 SOS grants announced today:
Algona
(Grant Recipient) Camp Algona Pow Committee: SOS funding will be used to purchase a laptop computer and projector, allowing museum staff to enhance presentations about the museum to schools, civic and service groups, thus aiding in the effort to market services to the community.
$3,294
Altoona
(Grant Recipient) Altoona Area Historical Society: SOS funding will be used to purchase inventory control software and display and equipment. The inventory control program will allow the Society to computerize its inventory.
$1,125
Ames
(Grant Recipient) Ames Town & Gown Chamber Music Association: Ames Town and Gown will use SOS funding for publicity for its 60th anniversary season.
$3,000
Des Moines
(Grant Recipient) Gateway Dance Theatre: SOS funding will be used to help with the cost of renovating classroom space adjacent to Gateway Dance Theatre's studio at 315 E. 5th St. Costs include flooring, plumbing, fixtures and equipment that will allow the expansion of educational programming to include other arts and academic subjects and serve a greater number of students.
$5,000
Des Moines
(Grant Recipient) Iowa Architectural Foundation: The Iowa Architectural Foundation will use SOS funding for a comprehensive overhaul of the website to reach a broader statewide audience.
$2,797
Des Moines
(Grant Recipient) Vocal Arts Ensemble of Greater Des Moines: SOS funding will be applied to salary and rental expenses.
$1,350
Grinnell
(Grant Recipient) Grinnell Area Arts Council: SOS funding will be used for the promotion and marketing of the B.G Voertman Event Series, a season of theatrical/musical productions from national, regional and local artists.
$2,183
Marshalltown
(Grant Recipient) Marshall County Arts and Culture Alliance, Inc.: SOS funding will be used to purchase a portable LCD digital projector for use in community presentations, and to help underwrite printing costs for a monthly Cultural Events Calendar distributed locally.
$1,203
Muscatine
(Grant Recipient) Historic Muscatine, Inc.: SOS funding will be used to increase visibility at local and regional levels. The Industry Center tells the story of Muscatine's local products, including the 1.5 billion buttons made annually. Signage, brochures, translation of materials into Spanish and additional advertising are needed to reach new audiences.
$2,569
Oelwein
(Grant Recipient) Oelwein Area Historical Society: SOS funding will be used for new signage to the museum grounds.
$305
Orange City
(Grant Recipient) Orange City Arts Council: SOS funding will be used to hire an intern to design and implement traveling exhibits featuring work by local artists on portable display panels. The intern will create a list of area artists, secure public locations for exhibits and coordinate volunteers.
$2,000
Sioux City
(Grant Recipient) LAMB Arts Ltd.: SOS funding will be used to purchase outside lighting to its building to discourage vandalism and contribute to a more appealing appearance.
$4,129
Sioux City
(Grant Recipient) Siouxland Historical Railroad Association: SOS funding will be used to purchase archive and library shelving and cataloging software for the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District in Sioux City to allow the railroad museum to improve its collections management system and enhance the protection of artifacts and research materials.
$3,170
Spencer
(Grant Recipient) Parker Historical Society: SOS funding will be used for a marketing campaign to promote Parker Museum's 50th anniversary, raise awareness of the museum and print membership/endowment and capitol campaign marketing materials.
$3,680
Stanton
(Grant Recipient) Swedish Heritage Cultural Center: SOS funds will be used for replacement of a faulty air conditioner as well as the purchase of ceiling tile and paint to repair water damage sustained prior to last year's roof replacement. It will also be used to pay for the labor required to accomplish these tasks.
$1,100
Story City
(Grant Recipient) Story City Historical Society: SOS funding will be used to purchase folding tables, archival storage boxes and acrylic risers. These items will enhance the exhibits at the museum and allow the Society to prepare displays for workshops and meetings.
$1,595
West Liberty
(Grant Recipient) Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre Co.: SOS funding will be used to hire an outreach assistant to help with workshops, puppet camp, Children's Festival coordination and new activities. Eulenspiegel will expand marketing and increase its internet presence.
$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.
