Photo by Cjay Crespo.
The regional arts service organization at the Northwest Arkansas Council today announced that 23 local arts and culture nonprofits will receive grants through its bridge fund program.
The program, supported through a grant from the Walton Family Foundation, provides funding to support transitional and long-term planning for arts and culture organizations impacted by COVID-19.
“Grant recipients have a unique opportunity to reimagine their future, rejuvenate their work and rethink their audiences’ needs,” said Allyson Esposito, the regional arts organization’s executive director. “Many of the grantee organizations serve the region’s most vulnerable communities, and it’s critical to support them as they stabilize and plan for the future.”
More than 45 organizations applied for funding. A volunteer panel of community arts leaders made recommendations on which organizations should receive funding based on the extent of lost immediate revenue and non-recoverable expenses incurred due to COVID-19, the strength and feasibility of each organization’s plan to adapt in response to the current pandemic and the organizational budget size.
The following organizations will receive funding through the program:
–Ability Tree provides recreation, education, support and training (R.E.S.T.) for families impacted by disability.
–Arkansas Arts & Fashion Forum provides educational opportunities and professional support for aspiring avant-garde fashion designers, artists, and other creative professionals who are committed to building a vibrant and inspired creative community in Arkansas.
–Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese facilitates programming anchored in culture, education, and health and leadership that is local-focused and responsive to the needs of the Marshallese community in Arkansas.
–Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra was founded to broaden and deepen the appreciation of music through performance and education.
–Art Feeds creates programming that empowers students through visual, creative and expressive arts.
–Art Ventures promotes the visual arts in NWA by actively collaborating with the community, supporting artists working to the highest standards, encouraging education and public engagement in the arts, and providing accessibility to under-represented communities.
–Community Creative Center is a visual and studio arts organization providing educational programming in a variety of hands-on art forms including clay and pottery, painting, drawing, printmaking, glass fusion and mixed media for children and adults of all ages and skill levels.
–Fayetteville Roots builds a diverse community by providing educational programs, concerts and artist support opportunities that promote the learning, teaching, renewal and perpetuation of music, culinary arts and folk life.
–Latin Art Organization of Arkansas promotes and strengthens Latin American culture, through active participation, in order to create space for various cultural events.
–LatinX Theatre Project creates community-based, original work that uplifts and advocates for social change through writing, performance, music and creative media.
–Marshallese Educational Initiative promotes the cultural, intellectual and historical awareness of the Marshallese people through educational programming and facilitates intercultural dialogue to foster positive social change.
–Museum of Native American History provides education for all generations about the cultural diversity of indigenous peoples through the acquisition, preservation and study of Native American artifacts.
–Music Moves promotes African American music and arts to students and our communities through interactive performances and a well versed educational curriculum.
–PIXEL: A School For Media Arts addresses the needs of the current and future workforce through a series of educational programming at the intersection of creativity and technology for kids, teens and adults.
–NWA Ballet Theatre is a professional ballet company producing and commissioning work that is classically-based, contemporary, collaborative and entertaining.
–Open Mouth Reading Series bolsters the artistic landscape of our region and to make literary poetry accessible outside of an academic environment by supporting diverse modes of engagement.
–Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation brings Indian performing arts to Northwest Arkansas with an emphasis on the classical genre.
–Teen Action and Support Center empowers teens to take action in their own lives and communities through support groups, volunteer projects and housing support.
–The Art Experience Inc. is a center for healing and growth through expressive arts and play.
–The House of Songs brings songwriters from around the world together to share the universal language of music in collaborations designed to bridge cultures, build friendships and cultivate peace.
–Symphony of Northwest Arkansas presents dynamic and diverse symphonic performances to Northwest Arkansas.
–Tricycle Theatre for Youth cultivates creativity, builds character and strengthens community by transforming the life of every child through exceptional theatre experiences.
–Trillium Salon Series is committed to redefining the live music experience for classical, new music, and experimental sounds to invite connection and build community.
Funds will be used for transition planning and support activities such as: developing new business models, paradigms, staffing models, programs and strategies; planning new activities for revenue generation; building capacity, tools and infrastructure to take programming online; and re-imagining creative production.
