City of Bloomington Arts Commission Releases Information Regarding Arts Project Grant Program

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 5, 2014

For more information, please contact:
Miah Michaelsen, Assistant Economic Development Director for the Arts, City of Bloomington Economic and Sustainable Development Department, 349.3534

City of Bloomington Arts Commission Releases Information Regarding Arts Project Grant Program

Bloomington, Ind. - The City of Bloomington Arts Commission (BAC) announces that revised guidelines and applications are now available for the April Cycle of its 2014 Arts Project Grant Program. Deadline for applications is April 1 at 5 p.m.

There will only be one grant round this year in April. Maximum grant amounts have been increased to $1,500 for 2014, and grants are available for arts activities that align with current areas of focus of the Arts Commission: to cultivate a community in which residents appreciate the value of personal and collective artistic activity, to encourage collaboration in and diversification of artistic activities that include participants from across the community, to enhance and support a high level of artistry and to support the economic vitality and interests of local artists and arts organizations. In 2013, 34 arts projects were supported through the program.

As part of its ongoing capacity-building efforts, the Arts Commission will hold a drop-in workshop for potential applicants on Wednesday, March 12 from 4 to 5 p.m. in the McCloskey Conference Room in City Hall, 401 N. Morton St. Potential applicants are invited to bring applications in progress for review and feedback by Commission members. The drop-in workshop is first-come, first-served and will conclude at 5 p.m. Guidelines and application are available on the City of Bloomington website [here|/bac].

Submitted grant applications will be reviewed during the Arts Commission's April meeting scheduled for April 9 at 4 p.m., also in the McCloskey Room of City Hall. The public is invited to attend and observe.

This project is another effort under the City's strategy to leverage and expand the economic development potential of the arts in Bloomington. According to the 2012 Americans for the Arts study, Arts and Economic Prosperity IV, Bloomington's nonprofit arts sector contributes $72.3 million to the local economy annually through direct spending by arts organizations and their audiences. For more information on the study, visit [the website|/arts].

For more information on the grant program, contact Assistant Economic Development Director for the Arts Miah Michaelsen at michaelm@bloomington.in.gov or 349.3534.

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