Fiscal Year: 2025

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.

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.

The project is SEISO’s Artist in Residence, who will spend two weeks teaching and performing in schools and give presentations and recitals in communities in Southeast Iowa. The Artist will also perform as soloist on our Masterworks Series 3 concerts.

Southern Indiana Taiko will bring world renowned professional taiko drummers Tiffany Tamaribuchi and Eddie Yates to rural Columbus, Indiana to conduct a three day workshop for Southern Indiana Taiko performers and students. The workshop will focus on ergonomically correct taiko techniques and both artists will be featured in an open to the public community performance.

Native American dancer and choreographer Nedallas Hammill joins the 2025 (W)here in the World Dance Festival as a featured performer and speaker.

Nigerian-American singer-songwriter Rocky Peter brings his inspiring story and beautiful musicianship to Fairfield Arts & Convention Center and the rural community of Jefferson County, IA.

Three Artists of SPACE, a playwright, movement artist and director intend to work with the 50 year old Noble County Community Theater to conduct workshops and create a devised performance that addresses a local conflict/concern. The workshops will culminate in a final performance and talk back session. Workshop participants will gain the tools to create new community-centered work in the future.

Rooted in Rhythm is a dance performance project that explores how traditional West African dance styles have influenced contemporary Black dance in Detroit, especially the Jit. It features performances and training from artists, highlighting the cultural connections and shared rhythms between dance disciplines.

Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) will provide three compelling hands-on workshops. A Long Walk Home, a national art organization that empowers young people to end violence against girls & women, will lead the creation of a Black Girlhood Altar. The other, with Chicago-based artist & educator Rhonda Wheatley, will help participants recognize, strengthen, & trust their intuitive abilities.