Program/Grant: GIG Fund

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.

We will collaborate with Rootead and other organizations for promotion, venue and outreach events to bring Ugandan musician Samite to Kalamazoo for a free public concert and outreach at Rootead and the Juvenile Home.

The SPECTRA Reading Series invites established poets and writers from around the country to share the stage with local/regional writers, as a means of showcasing local talent and celebrating the literary arts in our community. From its start in 2012, SPECTRA events are held at the celebrated venue Rozz-Tox in Rock Island, IL, and are always free and open to the public.

This hands-on art project is a multi-part series that involves engagement between four professional artists and school-age children. The four workshops will involve students in the artistic process and enhance students' school curriculum, introduce students to artistic professions, techniques and art critique. They also have the goal to lower cultural barriers to entering and enjoying art spaces.

Sponsor an artist to perform at Mitchell's 401 Create by LifeQuest and the Corn Palace Plaza for the Mitchell Area Inclusion Coalition’s Community Access Resource Expo.

Grant funds choreographers for two musicals in our 2024-25 season: ”Bright Star” (December 2024) and “Dream Girls” (April 2025). As culturally authentic dance is an integral aspect of these productions, this grant will assure the integrity and success of these productions. Drama Group elevates our community by supporting local, diverse talent. Ensuring this tradition is imperative.

From Sept 30th to Nov 17th 2024, the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA) will produce its marquee program the 7th annual Destinos: Chicago International Latino Theater Festival, presenting over 15 local, national, and international Spanish and English culturally diverse live productions, student matinees, post-show talk-backs, panels, workshops and networking events throughout Chicago.