Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture Grants Awarded

"Her Secret is Patience" by artist Janet Echelman. Photo credit: Craig Smith — at Downtown Phoenix Civic Space.

“Her Secret is Patience” by artist Janet Echelman. Photo credit: Craig Smith — at Downtown Phoenix Civic Space.

​The Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture is pleased to announce the recipients of the Community Arts Support Grants Program for the 2014-2015 fiscal year.

The Office of Arts and Culture will award a total of $805,346 to 47 nonprofit arts and culture organizations serving the residents of Phoenix through arts and culture activities. Grant funds support the general operating costs of major, mid-size and small arts and culture organizations, specific arts projects related to festivals, as well as arts education activities. Funds also are allocated to a rental support program operated by the Office of Arts and Culture in partnership with the Phoenix Convention Center. Approved by Mayor and Council earlier this month, the funding allocation remains the same as was made available in 2013.

“In Phoenix, we recognize and highly value the importance of arts and culture to our economy and to our quality of life,” said Mayor Greg Stanton. “I am especially proud that our City Council agreed to maintain the level of funding to arts and culture organizations that was provided last year.”

According to Office of Arts and Culture Executive Director Gail Browne, arts and culture organizations in Phoenix provided more than 8,000 performances, 250 exhibitions, 2,000 classes and workshops, and 2,500 school programs last year.

“We know that these grants provide critical operational support to many of our arts and culture organizations, and for others this funding enables essential community outreach programs to flourish,” she said. “With 5.1 million attendees, the arts and culture sector in Phoenix is a $300 million economic engine that generates $14 million in tax revenue. That’s a return of $20 for every $1 invested through the arts and culture grant program.”

A pedestrian bridge. Photo credit: David Newsom

A pedestrian bridge. Photo credit:
David Newsom

All grants are dollar-for-dollar matching grants, requiring grantees to raise funds from corporations, foundations and/or individuals in the city of Phoenix. Organizations that received general operating support provide substantial outreach and education programs to the community. General operating support grant recipients include: Actors Theatre of Phoenix, Alwun House, Arizona Opera, Arizona Science Center, Arizona Theatre Company, Ballet Arizona, Black Theatre Troupe, Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Desert Botanical Garden, Great Arizona Puppet Theater, Heard Museum, iTheatre Collaborative, Jazz at AZ/The Nash, Musical Instrument Museum, Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix, Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix Boys Choir Association, Phoenix Center for the Arts, Phoenix Chorale,  Phoenix Symphony Association, Phoenix Theatre, Rosie’s House: A Music Academy for Children, Roosevelt Row CDC, Rosson House Heritage Square Foundation & Guild, Shemer Art Center & Museum Association,  Xico, Valley Youth Theatre, and Young Arts Arizona.

Arts education grant recipients partner with schools, school districts, after-school programs, or other community-based organizations that serve youth, seniors, or special target populations. Festival projects advance, preserve, or celebrate cultural expressions of diverse populations, or present multiple performances dedicated to a specific art from, such as theatre, dance, film, etc.

Festival and arts education grant recipients include African Association of Arizona, Arab American Festival, Arizona Matsuri, Center Dance Ensemble, Childsplay, Cultural Coalition, Free Arts of Arizona, Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix, Movement Source, Phoenix Blues Society, Phoenix Chamber Music Society, Phoenix Children’s Chorus, Phoenix Chinese Week, Phoenix Conservatory of Music, Phoenix Film Foundation, PSA Art Awakenings, Red Rocks Music Festival, Release the Fear and Rising Youth Theatre.

Through the Rental Support Program, a total of $250,000 is awarded to major cultural organizations that help revitalize the Phoenix downtown corridor through their presentations in city-owned performing arts facilities. Grantees include: Arizona Opera, Arizona Theatre Company, Ballet Arizona, Center Dance Ensemble, iTheatre Collaborative, Phoenix Symphony and Valley Youth Theatre.

The Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, established by the Phoenix City Council in 1985, works to foster a sense of cultural identity, celebrate diversity and ensure an outstanding quality of community life.  The Office is advised by a 27-member Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission.  For more information on the Office of Arts and Culture, visit phoenix.gov/arts or call 602-262-4637.  Follow the Office of Arts and Culture on Facebook: facebook.com/phxofficeofartsandculture

View a list the total amounts awarded to all grant recipients