Fiscal Year: 2025

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) Mini Tour will host DCDC for three performances, two talk backs, and a minimum of two workshops November 12- 15, 2024. Performances include a Detroit Public School Community District school-based performance with talkback and workshops, youth performance for community youth, and an evening performance open to the general public.

In celebration of what would have been the 100th birthday of James Baldwin, the Hyde Park Jazz Festival will collaborate with the Hyde Park Art Center (HPAC) and Chicago poet laureate avery r young to create a jazz and spoken word performance in connection with the HPAC's exhibition of Chicago artist Robert Earl Paige. The performance will be part of the 2024 Hyde Park Jazz Festival on Sept. 28th.

Indianapolis Jazz Foundation (IJF) will feature jazz trumpeter Pharez Whitted as guest artist with the Indianapolis Jazz Collective, a resident jazz ensemble, in a public concert celebrating the legacy of the legendary Hampton Family. Whitted will also perform and provide a workshop at the Freddie Hubbard Memorial Jazz Band Fest, a showcase event for area high school jazz students.

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.

Kanopy presents "Polaris+Revelations" starring Colombian born guest artist Daniel Fetecua Soto- former soloist with the Limón Dance Company who performs a theatrical masked dance, “Wolf: A Transformation”,choreographed by and gifted to him by Rosalie Jones, founder of the first indigenous modern dance company in the U.S. The show aims to meaningfully connect audiences with Native American culture.

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

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.

Literary Cleveland will bring four authors to Cleveland, Ohio, to participate in free public readings as well as writing masterclasses designed to amplify the stories of underrepresented communities, increase access to high quality literary opportunities, and address cultural redlining and segregation.

Lotus Blossoms 2025 is an annual four-week series of artist performances and workshops, focused on outreach and education, that provides audiences with globally and culturally diverse music and arts experiences via national and international touring artists.

Mackinac Arts Council will host a Latin Celebration concert to deepen engagement in the arts among some 20% of Mackinac Island, MI seasonal summer employees who identify as having a Latin cultural heritage & are underserved in the arts. With this grant, MAC will hire a Latin musician(s) who will offer artist talk/back, performance & cultural education at a free & accessible community hall event.