Below is a link to the recently announced ArtPlace Innovation Grants application/letter of inquiry (due Dec 13). ArtPlace is a $15 million/year (approximately) program funded by a consortium of national foundations, aimed at providing capital to support community development projects which use the arts to help revitalize a neighborhood, main street, and to focus development in existing areas rather than inefficient, lifeless sprawl. While the program is largely urban, there have been a number of significant—and really cool–rural projects, as well. This could be an ideal opportunity for any number of rural organizations that are committed to innovative ways of revitalizing their towns.
To whet your appetites, here are a few notable rural ArtPlace grants, some of which with we are actively partnering:
· Minot, ND ($600k) to construct an artists’ housing project (We recently provided a RBEG to a non-profit business that will occupy commercial space in the building);
· Eastport, ME ($250k) to help renovate a main street building as part of a local art museum, (recently provided a RBEG to the project);
· Blue Lake, CA ($350k) to utilize an industrial site for future theatrical performances;
· Lanesboro, MN ($313k) to help transform the entire small town into an arts campus;
· Ajo, AZ ($535k) to help complete a desert retreat center. (They are currently applying for USDA CF support, I believe);
· Neah Bay, WA ($500k) to help construct a tribal Longhouse Commons on oceanfront;
· Prattsville, NY ($200k) to help a flood-ravaged main st revitalize by restoring building for artist residency center. (NY RD staff are talking about other ways to help there);
· Summerville, GA ($400k) to restore famous folk artist studio/home. (We have explored helping with improving wastewater system onsite);
· Reedsburg, WI ($150k) to support annual arts/food/farmland festival. (We are exploring ways to help, possibly through farmers mkt program, if reauthorized);
· Siler City/Greenville/Sanford, North Carolina ($485k) to help with arts related workforce training, site-based in small towns (Some good discussions with NC state office);
ArtPlace demonstrates how USDA-RD $ can leverage philanthropic $, keeping the foundations keenly interested in good rural projects, particularly where federal $ are already being deployed or where they can be complementary.
Here is the link to the application/letter of inquiry notice*—due December 13, 2013: http://www.artplaceamerica.org/loi/
And the link to the broader announcement: http://www.artplaceamerica.org/articles/artplace-america-launches-2014-innovation-grant-applications/
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