Tempe awards over $200K in arts grants

The Tempe community can expect to see a calendar full of exciting arts and culture programs this year thanks to over $200,000 in investments from City of Tempe.

Tempe awarded 40 arts grants to nonprofit organizations and artists' collectives that present arts and culture programming. The funding supports a wide variety of activities, from theatre groups to musical performances to inventive arts events in unexpected spaces.

A total of $236,100 was awarded to these groups in two categories. Creative Current grants are distributed to nonprofit arts organizations, while Next Wave grants are available to artist collectives, cultural groups and arts organizations.

The funding helps to ignite creative vibrancy, support capacity building for local organizations and grow connections among the community.

The competitive review process was conducted by six independent, objective and diverse community review panels comprised of representatives from the Tempe Arts and Culture Commission, African American Advisory Committee, Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee, Tempe Tourism, as well as Tempe residents, arts educators and practicing artists from various disciplines.

Projects will be presented in a variety of community spaces, including theaters, plazas, community centers, creative businesses and other surprising spaces across the city. 

Creative Current Grants (nonprofit organizations)

Arizona Academy of the Performing Arts
Arizona Asian American Association
Arizona Pops Orchestra
Arizona Repertory Ballet
CAFE Flutes
CaZo Dance Theatre
Childsplay
Dansense-Nrtyabodha
Desert Overture
Downtown Tempe Foundation
FABRIC Tempe
Great Sounds Promotions

Next Wave Grants (cultural groups, nonprofits, artist collectives)

Asociación De Peruanos En Arizona
Blending the Moves Dance Festival
Community Choir of Arizona
Desert Breath
Driftwood Quintet
Honeycomb Theatre Collective
MAC & Company
Ocotillo Chamber
Revisionary Arts
Rogue Dance Productions
Wasted Ink Zine Distro
Wight Noise Dance Company