Ohio Receives Three National Endowment for the Arts 2015 Our Town Grants
by Hannah Brokenshire
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2015
Celebrating Cleveland Public Theatre, the City of Oberlin, and the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo
COLUMBUS, OH-- National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chairman Jane Chu has announced 69 Our Town awards totaling almost $5 million through the Our Town program's fifth year of funding. Three of those 69 have been awarded in Ohio, totaling $225,000 of support.
Through Our Town, the NEA provides grants for arts-based community development projects that contribute toward the livability of communities and help transform them into lively, beautiful, and sustainable places with the arts at their core.
"These organizations represent the best in creative community development and whose work will have a valuable impact on its community," said Chairman Chu. "Through Our Town funding, arts organizations continue to spark vitality that support neighborhoods and public spaces, enhancing a sense of place for residents and visitors alike."
The Ohio Arts Council (OAC) celebrates all recipients and congratulates the following Ohio grantees:
Cleveland Public Theatre, in partnership with the City of Cleveland, will receive $150,000 to support Station Hope a multi-neighborhood tour of free pop-up performances celebrating the Underground Railroad. The project will feature local artists with a focus on community interaction and social justice.
The City of Oberlin, Ohio, in partnership with the Firelands Association for the Visual Arts, will receive $25,000 to support the design of a cultural wayfinding system. The new system will improve visitor experience and highlight the extensive arts and cultural offerings available in Oberlin.
The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, in partnership with the City of Toledo, will receive $50,000 to support artists residing in downtown Toledo to develop arts programming to instill a sense of neighborhood pride in areas suffering high unemployment, crime, and poverty.
"On behalf of the OAC we are thrilled to join three fantastic Ohio organizations in celebration of their Our Town grant," said Donna S. Collins, executive director of the Ohio Arts Council. "Ohio is home to a thriving arts community, and the support from NEA funding is an important step in ensuring the benefits of arts and culture experiences enhance our neighborhoods."
For a complete listing of projects recommended for Our Town grant support, please visit the NEA web site at arts.gov. Project descriptions, grants listed by state and by project type, and resources are available as well. The NEA's online resource, Exploring Our Town, features case studies of more than 70 Our Town projects along with lessons learned and other resources.
Join the conversation on Twitter with #NEAOurTown15
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. The OAC is celebrating 50 years of funding for arts and culture in 2015. Find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or visit the OAC website at oac.ohio.gov.
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