Yes it is that time of year again! The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) is preparing for the 2010 cycle of the Reach and Ripple Grant Program and I am excited to be a part of it this year. I recently accepted the position of Decentralization Regrant Coordinator at GO ART! and I am looking forward to meeting all of the organizations and individual artists who are interested in working on new artistic and cultural programs throughout Genesee and Orleans Counties.
The Decentralization Regrant Program is an excellent program offered by the New York State Council on the Arts and administered locally by GO ART!. This will be the 31st year for GO ART! to provide this program to the local community. Although the funding amount has not been announced yet- we are expecting about an 8% cut due to the economic downturn and the cuts made to NYSCA this year. But this should not deter any organization or individual from applying to the program!
This program is unique in our region because it offers two separate types of grants. The first is called the Reach Grant. This funding is available to nonprofit organizations or individuals sponsored by a fiscal agent that meets NYSCA and GO ART! criteria. Awards in this category may range from $400-$5000. The second is the Ripple Grant. This funding consists of two grants of equal value (last year's amount was $2250) awarded to individual artists residing in Genesee or Orleans Counties who wish to create new arts and cultural projects with a community context.
Free grant application workshops are being scheduled now and will begin June 18th! Applications materials will also be available beginning June 18th. For further information you may go to www.goart.org or contact Heather Grant, Regrant Coordinator at hgrant@goart.org.
