LexArts Will Bring Annual Grant Workshops To The Community

LEXINGTON – LexArts, the largest local donor organization for the creative arts, gives more than $1 million to various organizations each year as an effort “to integrate the arts into our daily lives.”

Each year several organizations vie for grants from LexArts to help them present programs in the area. Though the demand is high for the grants, ranging from $500 to more than $25,000, many well deserving organizations still don’t know that the grants exist.

This year they will take a new approach to reach more people about the funds available. “This is the first time LexArts has held grant writing workshops outside of downtown. Our objective is to make more people aware of this opportunity and to underscore our mission to serve all of Fayette County,” said Jim Clark, President and CEO of LexArts.

The LexArts Board of Directors has partnered with Lexington Public Library to hold grant workshops to explain the LexArts’ Community Arts Grant application process.

“Our goal at LexArts is to make funds and resources available to as many artists and art groups as we can. Making the process easier will open new doors for emerging and talented artists who may not have otherwise been able find funding,” says Eunice Beatty, Ph.D., grants chair.

Workshops will be held April 7, at 2 p.m. at Beaumont Library and then at 5 p.m. at Northside Library. There will still be a grant writing workshop at ArtsPlace on April 5 at 5:30 p.m.

It was also announced that the dollar-for-dollar cash match for Project grants has been eliminated. Project grants range from $500-$2500 are for non-profit groups that want to use the arts as a way interact with the community.

The application deadline for the 2012 fiscal year (FY12) is April 22, 2011. FY12 programming begins July 1, 2011 and runs through June 30, 2012 for all grant recipients. The new guidelines for funding can be found at lexarts.org/resources/grants .

Artists and nonprofit arts groups interested in finding out more information may also contact Nathan Zamarron, Community Arts Manager for LexArts, at 859.255.2951 or nzamarron@lexarts.org.

Source: keyconversationsradio.com