National Endowment for the Arts Awards Ohio Organizations $175,000 in Our Town Grants
by Malika Bryant
On July 16, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chairman Jane Chu announced that the agency will award 66 Our Town grants totaling $5.07 million to organizations in 38 states. Two of this year's Our Town grant recipients are Ohio organizations L.A.N.D. studio, Inc. (Cleveland) and the Westcott House Foundation (Springfield). These grants will be used to invest in arts-based community development initiatives.
L.A.N.D. studio, Inc. will receive an award of $100,000. The award will be used to support the Curb Appeal project, which will enhance the East Ninth Street corridor. This project will invite artists and designers to submit proposals for art exhibitions, multimedia installations, performances, pop-up storefronts, artist talks, demonstrations and public space designs. Partners for the project include the City of Cleveland, L.A.N.D. studio, Ingenuity Festival, Positively Cleveland and Downtown Cleveland Alliance.
The Westcott House Foundation will be awarded $75,000 to establish the Westcott Center for Architecture + Design in Springfield. The center will provide additional space for hosting programs, exhibitions and cultural programming. Partners for the project include the Springfield City Schools District, Global Impact STEM Academy, The Ohio State University Extension Office, Miami University and other nonprofit arts organizations.
Since the establishment of Our Town in 2011, the NEA has awarded seven Our Town grants to Ohio organizations, totaling $550,000. Collectively, the NEA has awarded 256 Our Town grants across the country, amounting to $21 million.
Past Ohio Our Town grant recipients include:
Artspace Projects, Inc. (Hamilton), 2011
Greater Columbus Arts Council (Columbus), 2011
Art Opportunities, Inc. (Cincinnati), 2012
Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization (Cleveland), 2012
Pomerene Center for the Arts (Coshocton), 2013
Chairman Chu emphasized the importance and greater impact of investing in the arts as a way to diversify, promote growth and improve livelihood within communities.
The NEA is leading a national conversation around how to do community development where the arts play a central role in bringing together diverse voices and perspectives to positively impact residents and visitors alike," she said. "Through Our Town funding and our related White House and interagency partnerships, the NEA and its grantees are working together to continue positioning arts organizations as community leaders."
Our Town grants are awarded to partnerships between non-profit organizations and local government offices. The projects usually fall within one of two categories: arts engagement activities or design and cultural planning activities. Arts engagement activities focus on artistic production. Design and cultural planning activities are centered on creating local support systems and establishing an infrastructure that will advance community development.
This year the NEA plans to release "Exploring Our Town", an e-storybook that shares case studies and lessons from 70 Our Town projects. "Exploring Our Town" will provide insight into community development projects with a foundation in the arts.
To read the full press release from the NEA, click here.
Click here to view a list of Our Town grantees by state.
About the National Endowment for the Arts: The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the federal government. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector.
About the Ohio Arts Council: The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.
[top]