Joe Reilly Band & All Nations Dancers perform at the Palmer Park Art Fair on June 1, 2024, presented by 2024 GIG Fund grantee People for Palmer Park.
99 Midwestern organizations have received a total of $380,000 through the 2024-25 GIG Fund, a grant program from Arts Midwest. These awards will help organizations present artists and educational events in their community.
The GIG Fund provides $2,000-$4,000 grants to support the arts throughout the Midwest. The fund supports small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and the Native nations that share this geography.
The GIG Fund provides flexible grants to support activities featuring professional artists. The selected artists must take part in at least two public events as part of their GIG Fund project. Funds may also be used for project costs such as accessibility accommodations and marketing.
The GIG Fund prioritizes organizations that are led by or engage artists from historically underrepresented or marginalized communities, rural communities, and under-funded areas. 53% of this round’s organizations have never been funded by Arts Midwest in the past. 25% of the organizations are from rural areas, according to the National Endowment for the Arts definition. All funded organizations this round had organizational budgets below $1 million.
We work with a panel to help us review applications and distribute grants annually. With limited funding, Arts Midwest was not able to award all projects.
99
GIG Fund Grantees received awards this cycle
53%
Have never been funded by Arts Midwest in the past
25%
Are organizations from rural areas
“Arts Midwest is thrilled to support these organizations as they bring diverse programming featuring talented artists to so many Midwestern communities.”
JOSHUA FEIST, GRANTS OFFICER AT ARTS MIDWEST
Explore 2024-25 GIG Fund Projects
Learn more about the organizations funded in this round and see if this opportunity might be a fit for your community in the future!
In October 2024, the Museum will host The Blind Swine Speakeasy, featuring two nights of music and cultural activities tied to local Prohibition-era history. The grant supports bluegrass singer EmiSunshine and swing musicians Gina DeGregorio and Paul Asaro. Guests can participate in educational activities designed to immerse them in the celebrations and challenges of 1920s and 30s rural life.
Indy Shakes presents trans artist Will Wilhelm performing their one-person show GENDER PLAY OR WHAT YOU WILL by Will Wilhelm and Erin Murray. Will and Erin passionately take the play to states that passed legislation harmful to the LGBTQ+ community. To inform patrons, we will incorporate post-show discussions moderated by local organizations that provide support to the LGBTQ+ community.
People with disabilities will have the opportunity to attend multiple sessions of songwriting and recording workshops at TalkBack Studios, gaining studio experience alongside professional, performing artist Evan Stock. Also, participants will have the opportunity to perform their creative ballads for the community on stage, alongside the Evan Stock Band.
Funding supports the artist fees associated with the Oct 2024 concert and events featuring piano soloist Henry Kramer and composer Jennifer Higdon. Pulitzer Prize and three-time Grammy-winning composer Higdon will lead a discussion of her work. The concert week also includes a young professionals networking event, open rehearsal, masterclass, pre-concert talk, and artists meet-and-mingle event.
Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center (CAFAC) will host workshops with visiting Danish blacksmith, Lars Mørch, in September 2024, focused on traditional blacksmithing techniques and knife-making. Workshops are open to beginners and experienced blacksmiths. Motivated by his passion to share his years of knowledge and skills, Lars will also lead a demonstration of forge-welding techniques, open to all.
The Western Plains Opera brings Puccini’s beloved opera, La Boheme, to the Ann Nicole Nelson stage on the campus of Minot State University. The production on September 6th & 7th, will include six international solo artists, along with local singers, a children’s choir, the Minot Chamber Chorale, and a full orchestra.
Highlighting music of the Caribbean, ORMACO’s fall 2024 World Tour of Music Residency will provide hands-on experience for incarcerated youth, concerts in rural schools and community homes, and culminate in a concert that is open to the public.
Lakota Youth Development plans a transformative storytelling workshop, for youth and adults to preserve our rich Lakota cultural heritage. Guided by Lakota Authors and storytellers, participants immerse themselves in profound narratives that define our identity. Together, we ensure that the timeless wisdom, values, and traditions of our ancestors continue to shape and inspire future generations
Black Arts MKE’s Black Nativity celebrates the timeless work of Langston Hughes story of the Nativity retold through a combination of poetry, dance & song from an African American perspective, with a twist of being set in MKE & highlighting culturally relevant issues. Project includes: Community Night w/tickets 50% off, cast/crew talkbacks, FREE student matinees w/resources, ASL performance& more.
