Grant program to support arts and cultural projects in 2023-24

The University of Dayton's Dayton Funk Music Symposium was a former recipient of a special projects grant from Culture Works and the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District. CONTRIBUTED

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

The University of Dayton's Dayton Funk Music Symposium was a former recipient of a special projects grant from Culture Works and the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District. CONTRIBUTED
What to Know
By
Jan 27, 2023
X

Montgomery County organizations can apply for up to $10,000 to support 2023–2024 arts and cultural projects through a program funded by the Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District (MCACD). Application period begins Feb. 8.

The Special Projects Grant program launched in 2020 to provide an opportunity for small and mid-sized arts, cultural, and other nonprofit organizations to create arts and cultural experiences that engage and benefit Montgomery County residents. Since then, the program has awarded more than $550,000 to 47 organizations for projects ranging from community festivals and public artworks to creative symposiums and visiting artist series. Funding can also be used for capacity building projects within arts and culture-focused organizations.

Culture Works, the Dayton region’s arts funding and advocacy organization, administers the Special Projects Grant program.

“People want to live in communities with diverse arts and cultural offerings,” said Lisa Hanson, Culture Works President & CEO, in a release. “A thriving arts community means greater creativity, wellbeing, and connectedness for individuals, and it drives tourism and patronage of local businesses.”

“Montgomery County invests in people and supporting the arts contributes to the quality of life of the people of Montgomery County and beyond,” added Matt Dunn, MCACD Executive Director.

ExploreFilmmaker with area roots discusses new feature ‘Condor’s Nest’

The MCACD is providing $300,000 for the 2023 grant cycle, which will support projects happening between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. The program is open to Montgomery County nonprofits, schools, colleges, universities, municipalities, government agencies, and grassroots organizations partnering with a fiscal agent. Details will be posted to cultureworks.org.

(L to R): Garrett Young (Storyteller), Skyler McNeely (Doggy), Ben Locke (Charlie) and Allie Haines (Storyteller) in TheatreLab Dayton's production of "Charlie and Doggy and the Song at the Edge of the World," a 2021 recipient of a Special Projects Grant from the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District and Culture Works.

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

icon to expand image

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

To apply for a Special Projects Grant:

  • Applicants are encouraged to attend a free, virtual grant info session Wednesday, Feb. 8 at noon. Details and a link to register will be posted at cultureworks.org.
  • All organizations must submit an online Intent to Apply form by Friday, March 3 indicating the proposed activities, the amount requested, and their nonprofit status. The form will be available at cultureworks.org starting Feb. 8. Culture Works and the MCACD will review all Intent to Apply forms for eligibility.
  • In March, eligible organizations will receive an invitation to complete the online grant application. The deadline for submission will be Wednesday, April 26.

An independent panel of arts administrators, artists, and other community leaders will review applications and evaluate each proposed project’s artistic quality and community impact, as well as the administrative capability of the applicant organization. Funding decisions will be made during a virtual public panel meeting in late June.

Full eligibility requirements, guidelines, and the intent to apply form for the Special Projects Grant program will be shared via the Culture Works website at cultureworks.org/apply-for-funding/#special-projects.

For more information about grant opportunities available through Culture Works, visit cultureworks.org or contact Karen Maner, Director of Grantmaking, at kmaner@cultureworks.org.

ExploreNelly to perform at Fraze Pavilion this summer
In Other News
1
Day Yoga adds third location with new studio in Washington Twp.
2
Friday the 13th: What is so unlucky about it?
3
Happy birthday Dorothy Lane Market! What to know about its history
4
Graeter’s celebrates 154th birthday with special offer
5
Dayton-area festivals to check out throughout May

About the Author

Russell Florence Jr. is team leader/coordinator of Lifestyles/Dayton.com. He has been an arts/lifestyles reporter for Dayton Daily News since 2012. He formerly served on the Dayton Daily News Community Board of Contributors and assisted the Dayton Daily News Editorial Board. He received his BA in mass communications from Wright State University.