Announcing the Midwest ArtsHERE Grantees

ArtMix’s ArtsHERE grant will support strategic planning as they continue their growth and expansion. It will also support ASL and Spanish language training for staff as demand for their programs continues to grow. ArtMix transforms the lives of people with disabilities through the creation of art. They serve more than 7,000 people of varying abilities through instructional art classes, arts-based workforce development, artist residencies and opportunities to sell, display, view, and purchase artwork

Azubuike African American Council’s ArtsHERE grant will help bridge the gap in arts and cultural engagement in the Quad Cities through strategic planning, cultural competency training, and marketing to underserved youth of color.  Azubuike provides inspirational and educational opportunities through the arts, aiming to reconcile the racial divides that exist in their community by giving underserved youth a voice to express themselves

The Cheyenne River Youth Project’s ArtsHERE grant will support assessment, planning, and capacity building as the grassroots nonprofit organization prepares to construct and open the first facility dedicated solely to arts and culture on the Cheyenne River Reservation. The Cheyenne River Youth Project offers Lakota youth and families access to the culturally relevant, enriching, and enduring opportunities they need to build stronger, healthier communities and a more vibrant future.

The First Peoples Fund’s (FPF) ArtsHERE grant will support programmatic assessments, the creation of data collection tools, and the evaluation of new and expanded programs at FPF and the Oglala Lakota Artspace on Pine Ridge Reservation. First People’s Fund honors and supports the cultural, artistic, and ancestral practices of Native artists, families, and communities, helping them to thrive, heal, and carry forward Indigenous creative expression, teachings, and lifeways.

Floyd J. McCree Theatre’s ArtsHERE grant will support the creation of a new strategic plan and community outreach initiatives to increase participation from younger audiences.  Floyd J. McCree Theatre offers educational and cultural programs to enrich the community of Flint, focusing on producing works that reflect the African American experience, including an annual Black History film series and mainstage productions that address the historical and cultural experiences of African Americans

Free Spirit Media’s ArtsHERE grant will fund a “Reimagining Evaluation” project to create new evaluation tools rooted in storytelling, reflection, social justice, and equity. Free Spirit Media partners with young storytellers to transform media and society, with programming that focuses on community-building, skill-sharing, and career and education pathways that support young people to envision and build their futures within the media industry and beyond.

Indigenous Roots Cultural Center’s ArtsHERE grant will support the continued growth of their grassroots efforts, helping to strategically restructure and revisit organizational procedures and policies. Indigenous Roots Cultural Center is a multidisciplinary, multigenerational, and multicultural space that cultivates opportunities for Native, Black, Brown, and Indigenous peoples through cultural arts and activism.

Healing Broken Circles’ ArtsHERE grant will support the creation of new collaborative partnerships, upgrading communications materials, and increasing staff technical skills in event production and promotion. Healing Broken Circles provides opportunities to heal, learn, and thrive for those of us impacted by the justice system, through programs and events that offer creative outlets, social-emotional support and opportunities to deepen societal awareness of the destructive impacts of mass incarceration

ArtForce Iowa’s ArtsHERE grant will support strengthening internal structures, integrating technology into programming, and fostering new partnerships with schools, youth service agencies, cultural institutions, and more. ArtForce Iowa creates opportunities for youth to transform through art, promoting personal and social development. They serve young people living in detention centers and offer free arts programming for refugee and immigrant youth.

Kori Art’s ArtsHERE grant will support staff development, leadership training, stakeholder and community engagement activities, and translation services to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for individuals with limited English proficiency.  Kori Art is a culture and art-based organization that amplifies community togetherness via international arts performances, training, workshops, and festivals led by New Americans and immigrant artists to connect, preserve, and share their cultural heritage.

Ko-Thi Dance Company’s ArtsHERE grant will support strategic planning, leadership and cultural competency training, community engagement sessions, audience development, and professionally translated materials to increase arts participation and accessibility among Milwaukee’s diverse communities.  Ko-Thi Dance Company preserves, teaches, documents, interprets, and performs dance and music rooted in the cultures of the African Diaspora. Their programming inspires the community to celebrate themselves through African dance and music.

Mahogany Black Arts & Cultural Center’s ArtsHERE grant will support a five-year strategic plan, community outreach, board development, and technological investments to grow and manage a member database.  Mahogany Black Arts & Cultural Center is dedicated to the preservation, research, and exhibition of Racine County Black Cultural History. They run programs including an oral histories project, the Wisconsin Black Art & Culture Expo, and a multidisciplinary, emerging artist fellowship.

Marion Voices Folklife + Oral History’s ArtsHERE grant will support a solidarity-building listening tour across North-Central Ohio engaging allied arts & culture organizations to share strategies & grow a regional folklife network, plus updates to their strategic plan & website as they expand their work regionally. Marion Voices is a folklife & cultural arts organization committed to social justice. Partnering directly with community culture-keepers in Marion County, they offer K-12 folk arts programs, exhibits, festivals, folklife documentation, and more to grow more just, more abundant cultural arts livelihoods across diverse communities.

Sacred Pipe Resource Center’s ArtsHERE grant will strengthen the capacity of Sacred Pipe Resource Center’s Arts Council by supporting targeted focus groups, data collection, and visioning around expanded arts programming. Sacred Pipe Resource Center is dedicated to addressing and supporting the social, cultural, emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical needs of Native people of all Tribes living in the Bismarck-Mandan and surrounding area. They provide liaison services between Native and non-Native people to foster a cohesive community.

South Sudanese Foundation (SSF)’s ArtsHERE grant will support their initiative to expand culturally grounded arts programs and develop a strategic framework for sustainable fundraising, enhancing community engagement and long-term impact. The mission of SSF is to create a transformative community in Fargo-Moorhead where everyone thrives together. Since the pandemic, SSF has grown significantly, addressing the increasing needs of the refugee and New American immigrant population through high-quality programs and services.

Indy Convergence’s ArtsHERE grant will support the development of a strategic community engagement plan to better understand barriers impacting access to the arts and identify new value-aligned partnerships. Indy Convergence is an arts and community-based nonprofit that connects artists, communities, and their environment. They offer artist residencies, collaborative workshops, and community-focused programming that foster innovative experiences, ideas, and solutions.

The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center’s ArtsHERE grant will support a five-year strategic planning process, including cultural strategy training and a study series for local artists and community leaders.  Founded in 2001, UCIMC has transformed a historic post office into a community media and arts center, supporting various community programs and fiscally sponsoring over 60 organizations. The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center’s mission is to foster the creation and distribution of media and art that highlight underrepresented voices and perspectives, and to promote empowerment and expression through media and arts education.

West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology (WMCAT)’s ArtsHERE grant will support their Teen Arts + Tech Program expansion, enhancing curriculum development, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning to reach neighboring school districts with underserved youth. WMCAT provides a culture of opportunity for individuals to achieve social and economic progress through visual arts and tech engagement, workforce development, and social enterprise programs.