In 2013, the Arizona Commission on the Arts launched a unique funding initiative designed to make strategic investments in Arizona’s most exciting arts-based ventures. At regional events in four Arizona communities, top applicants were given six minutes each to pitch innovative arts-based ventures to a live audience and a panel of experts for a shot at up to $10,000 in seed-funding.
Arizona Art Tank was made possible by a special one-time allocation to the Arts Commission in the State of Arizona’s budget for Fiscal Year 2014. Devised by State Senator Steve Farley and marshalled by broad bipartisan support in the legislature, this allocation was derived from interest accrued on the State’s Rainy-Day Fund. Funding was immediately applied to the Arts Commission’s existing statewide grantmaking activities as well as to new initiatives such as Arizona Art Tank.
Arizona Art Tank: 2014 pitch events were held in four Arizona cities between January 28 and February 3, 2014. A complete list of award recipients, venture descriptions, panelists and additional information for each event can be found here.
In January 2015, Arizona Art Tank returned.
Arizona Art Tank: 2015 events were held in four Arizona communities throughout January 2015.
Arizona Art Tank: East
Chandler Center for the Arts
Chandler, AZ
January 12, 2015
Arizona Art Tank: South
Star Studios
Bisbee, AZ
January 13, 2015
Arizona Art Tank: North
Coconino Center for the Arts
Flagstaff, AZ
January 15, 2015
Arizona Art Tank: West
Peoria Center for the Performing Arts
Peoria, AZ
January 20, 2015
- Arizona Art Tank: 2015, Eastern Region
- Arizona Art Tank: 2015, Southern Region
- Arizona Art Tank: 2015, Northern Region
- Arizona Art Tank: 2015, Western Region
Arizona Art Tank: Eastern Region
January 12, 2015
Location:
Chandler Center for the Arts, Chandler, AZ
Panelists:
- Senator Bob Worsley, Arizona State Senator, District 25
- Tamalyn Lewis, Governor-appointed Commissioner, Arizona Commission on the Arts
- Tammy McLeod, Vice President of Resource Management, APS
- Terry Benelli, Executive Director, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Phoenix
- Sarah Cochran, Associate Director and Curator, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
- Royce Manuel, Artist and Educator, Founder of Morningstar Leaders Foundation
- Baron Gordon, Artist and Entrepreneur, Principal at Smart Guy Marketing
- Michael Soto, Communications Associate, Miller Russell Associates
Grant Recipients:
$1,000 APS Innovation Award (chosen by audience vote): Childsplay
Photos by Alonso Parras, Left Lamp Media
Arizona Art Tank: Southern Region
January 13, 2015
Location:
Star Studios, Bisbee, AZ
Panelists:
- Vicky Boyce, Governor-appointed Commissioner, Arizona Commission on the Arts
- Richard Rosales, Community Affairs Manager, APS
- Ryan J. Bruce, Station Director, Radio Bisbee
- Mel Dominguez, Visual Artist
- Mignonne Hollis, Executive Director, Sierra Vista Economic Development Foundation
- J.C. Mutchler, Borderlands/Southwest Faculty, University of Arizona
- Katie Perry, Grants Manager, Tucson Museum of Art
- Alfred Urbina, Community Leader and Chief Prosecutor, Pascua Yaqui Tribe
Grant Recipients:
$1,000 APS Innovation Award (chosen by audience vote): Gretchen Baer
Arizona Art Tank: Northern Region
January 15, 2015
Location:
Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ
Panelists:
- Representative Bob Thorpe, Arizona State Representative, District 6
- Janet Dean, Community Affairs Manager, Northeast Division, APS
- William Eaton, Musician and Director of Old Town Center for the Arts
- Coral Evans, Executive Director of Sunnyside Neighborhood Association, Vice Mayor of Flagstaff
- Porangui McGrew, Musician and Performing Artist
- Bahe Whitethorn, Visual Artist
- Kris Williams, Owner, The Gallery in Williams
- Annette Zinky, Executive Director, Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology
Grant Recipients:
$1,000 APS Innovation Award (chosen by audience vote): Sedona Arts Center
* Sedona Arts Center and Canyon Movement Company tied for third place.
Arizona Art Tank: Western Region
January 20, 2015
Location:
Peoria Center for the Performing Arts (TheaterWorks), Peoria, AZ
Panelists:
- Representative Debbie Lesko, Arizona State Representative, District 9
- State Senator Steve Farley, Arizona State Senator, District 28
- Dr. Pamela Hall, Governor-appointed Commissioner, Arizona Commission on the Arts
- Michael Vargas, Government Affairs Representative, APS
- Norma Cunningham, Artist and Business Owner, Commissioner for Goodyear Arts and Culture
- Jacob Meders, Visual Artist
- Damian Jim, Owner, 1Spot Gallery
- Tara Sharpe, Director of Arts, Media, Community and Culture, Clarendon Hotel and Producer of ARTELPHX
- Jorge Torres, Owner, Palabra Pop-Up Gallery
- Xanthia Walker, Artistic Director, Rising Youth Theatre
Grant Recipients:
$1,000 APS Innovation Award (chosen by audience vote): Arizona Association of the Deaf
Photos by Alonso Parras, Left Lamp Media
In mission, method, and tone, Arizona Art Tank is unlike any grant initiative previously offered by the Arizona Commission on the Arts. In light of this, a number of resources were developed to educate applicants about the program and help them succeed.
The application period for Arizona Art Tank: 2015 closed on September 18, 2014. Materials and resources below are provided only for reference.
Arizona Art Tank Grant Guidelines
The Arizona Art Tank Grant Guidelines detail the intent and parameters of the program, eligibility requirements and application instructions.
The Arizona Art Tank Compatibility Quiz
To help potential applicants determine whether their arts-based venture was an appropriate fit for Arizona Art Tank, the Arts Commission introduced the Arizona Art Tank Compatibility Quiz in 2014.
Arizona Art Tank: 2015 Online Information Session
A series of in person and online information sessions were offered in the lead up to the application deadline.
Arizona Art Tank: 2014 Applicant Prep Webinar
Prior to the Arizona Art Tank: 2014 pitch events, applicants were coached on developing strong pitches by Arts Commission staff via online webinars.
(The information in this webinar does not apply to Arizona Art Tank: 2015 applicants. New resources for 2015 will be provided for those selected to participate in the live pitch events)