Tempe has awarded $187,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations and artist collectives that present arts and culture programming in the city. Wavemaker Art grants were distributed to several nonprofit organizations, with Vibrant City endowments going artist collectives, cultural groups and arts organizations. Another $113,000 will be distributed this fall through additional grant categories, including another round for Vibrant City and Arts in Schools initiatives. The funding is designated to help ignite what officials say is creative vibrancy and support capacity building for local organizations to grow connections in the community.
“Supporting local artists…is a priority for the city, and we’re proud of this significant investment in the future of arts and culture in Tempe,” said Tempe Mayor Corey Woods. “We invite all community members to get out and support the programming happening in venues throughout the city.”
The competitive review process was conducted by four independent panels comprised of representatives from the Tempe Arts and Culture Commission, African American Advisory Committee, Career Ready Tempe and Tempe Tourism, as well as Tempe residents, arts educators, students and practicing artists. Projects will be presented in a variety of community spaces, including theaters, plazas, community centers, parking lots and other spaces across the city.
Grant recipients include: Black Theatre Troupe, CAFÉ Flutes, CaZo Dance Theatre, Childsplay, Desert Dance Theatre, Desert Overture, Downtown Tempe Foundation, FABRIC Tempe, Grey Box Collective, Heart Heals AZ, Heartsy, Lights Camera Discover, Methods of Madness Dance Theater, Movement Source Dance Company, Musician Enrichment Foundation, Phoenix Funk Familia, Phoenix Gay Men’s Chorus, Phoenix Screenwriters Association, Rising Youth Theatre, Tetra String Quartet, The Bridge Initiative TheaterWorks, Third Space Dance Project, Yes And Productions Vibrant City grants went to ARCS Arizona, MAC & Company and Wasted Ink Zine Distro.
Information: Tempe.gov/ArtsGrants
