The Arts in Society grants take philanthropic funding to a new level, adding a component of community service to the traditional criteria for rewarding creative excellence.
In other words, the recipients need to be good and do good at the same time.
How they accomplish that — and get a piece of the $480,000 up for grabs — is only limited by their own inventiveness. Arts in Society takes a broad view of both art and social needs.
This year’s 22 grantees have varied practices: film, podcasts, visual arts, storytelling, dance and more.
And they serve individuals and communities across a wide spectrum: immigrants, veterans, youth, the homeless, refugees, the disabled, teen parents, the mentally ill, minority groups and others.
The grants, now in their second year, combine the resources of institutions well-known for their support of culture in Colorado, the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Colorado Creative Industries and Hemera Foundation. They are administered by the RedLine arts center in Denver.
Applications are vetted by an 11-member panel that evaluates grantees “ability to illustrate artistic excellence, broaden the understanding of the role arts play in society, demonstrate cross-sector work, exhibit cultural relevance, foster community engagement, and present opportunities for shared learning,” according to the program’s literature.
In announcing the grants last week, Bonfils Foundation President and CEO, Gary Steuer put it this way: “We know the arts can help foster community health and wellness, create opportunities and positive outcomes for youth, veterans, immigrants and seniors, and help the voiceless find their voice,”
This year’s list also covers a lot of geography, with winners stretching across the state.
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Reimagining the Noel Resolution
To utilize the artistic process to engage policy makers, students, and corporations in a series of Equity Boot Camps that will, in turn, inform a performance series.
Youth on Record
Youth on Record Fellowship: Equipping the next generation of arts leaders
To engage 15-20 young people in an intensive, 10-month, personal, professional and artistic development Fellowship program.
Check out the full article for more recipients of the award!
By Ray Mark Rinaldi
http://www.confluence-denver.com/features/arts-in-society.aspx?