Arizona Arts Commission awards $138K to West Valley programs

The Arizona Commission on the Arts has awarded more than $2.5 million in grants to arts and culture organizations across the state, including $138,000 to programs, festivals, and nonprofits in the West Valley.

The awards were announced Aug. 21 and include support for organizations across the state, from community theaters and museums to after-school and adult arts education programs.

A total of 259 Creative Capacity Grants were awarded this year, ranging from $800 to $24,000. Sixty-nine festivals and 47 engagement programs for youth and adults also received support.

Local grantwinners include Goodyear’s Catitude Gallery & Studio, awarded $1,600, Litchfield Park’s  Southwest Ballet Theatre, awarded $5,800, and Litchfield Park Gathering, awarded $5,000.

“The arts are an essential expression of Arizona’s vibrant communities and diverse cultures,” stated Christina You-sun Park, Executive Director of the Arizona Commission on the Arts. “Through the Arts Commission the State invests in a thriving statewide nonprofit arts sector that drives local economies, contributes to the vibrance and livability of our communities, enhances the education of our young people, and promotes the health and well-being of our residents.”

The grants come from a mix of state and federal funding, boosted this year by a one-time $2 million appropriation from the Arizona Legislature. Awards were given in four categories: Creative Capacity Grants for general operating support, Festival Grants for community events, and Lifelong Arts Engagement and Youth Arts Engagement Grants to fund education projects for adults and young people.

The grants are decided through a public review process involving community leaders, educators, artists, and Governor-appointed commissioners, with applications evaluated for organizational capacity, public benefit, and fiscal practices.

Statewide, the funding supported organizations from a pottery festival in Douglas to major museums in Phoenix. Locally, the West Valley’s $138,000 share will support a variety of cultural programming and community events.

Visit azarts.gov/grants for more information.