ANNOUNCING RECIPIENTS OF THE SALIDA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS’ COMMUNITY GRANT
The Salida Council for the Arts (SCFTA) is proud to announce the current recipients of the 2018 SCFTA Community Grants, “which support specific arts and cultural projects or events,” according to Community Grants Chair Jessie Miller.
The 5 winners for this cycle of Community Grants are as follows:
Susan Jesuroga, on behalf of the Salida Museum Association, has been awarded a $500 Grant for her proposal of “Storied Objects, a Writer’s Workshop,” where participants will spend a Saturday in March 2019 at the Museum studying specific artifacts and writing original pieces based on what the objects reveal or how they inspire us. Museum historians will introduce workshop participants to Salida history, offering a curatorial perspective, and allowing them to wander and to write. Carol Samson, professor emerita the University of Denver, will be guiding the participants;
Andre Wilkins, on behalf the Salida High School, has been awarded $500 for his “Portable Piano” project. These grant funds will help the Salida High School purchase a new portable piano and sound system for all of their off-campus gigs, so they can provide free entertainment to our community. Andrew Wilkins is the Director of the High School music program and ensembles, including Choir, Jazz Band, and Concert Band. Wilkins enriches our community through music and teaches youth what it takes to be a prepared, respectful, and successful musician and human being;
George Mossman, on behalf of the Salida Middle School, has been awarded $500 for his “Salida Middle School Groove Battalion” project, which will enable the SMS Groove Battalion to provide instruments and uniforms to middle school participants; the tools necessary for these kids to develop their artistic voice as percussionists and performers. The SMS Groove Battalion is an after-school club in its inaugural year. The battalion is comprised of 6th-8th graders. Groove Battalion membership is not limited to the Salida Middle School exclusively. The battalion will provide students with artistic training by professional musicians and seasoned competitive percussionists to expand their appreciation for percussion and marching as well as expanding their artistic capabilities;
Jerri Lines, on behalf of Calliope!, has been awarded $500 for their project “Fantasticks”. For the last 20 years, Calliope! has been an introduction to theater arts for hundreds of Chaffee County children. In 2019, Calliope! will present the off-Broadway show “The Fantasticks.” For the first time Calliope! will be including local musicians to provide the accompaniment. The SCFTA grant will assist in paying these musicians for their time and talent;
Katwin Hinerman, on behalf of Colorado TINTS, has been awarded $500 for their “Call Me Mrs. Evers” project, a one-woman production that tells the story of Myrlie Evers, wife of slain civil rights leader who became the first female chair of the NAACP. This play will be performed to students at Salida High School, Salida Middle School and Horizons Exploratory in honor of Black History Month.
Recipients of the Community Grants will be announced, introduced and awarded their checks by Jessie Miller, on behalf of the Salida Council for the Arts and the Community Grants Committee, at the SCFTA Creative Mixer Thursday, December 13 at the Salida SteamPlant, a monthly event taking place on the first Thursday of each month from 5:30-7:00pm.
This December 2018 marks the second cycle of the 2018 Community Grants. This year, the SCFTA has awarded 10 Community Grants recipients $500 each, for a record total of $5000 for a fiscal year. The multitude of applications and the true creative passion of the applicants spoke to the strength of arts and culture in our local community. “Congratulations to all the current Grant recipients!” exclaims Miller.
These Community Grant projects need to have a definable connection to the Salida Community and be supportive of the Council’s Mission Statement. If you want to contribute to the Salida Council for the Arts, just click on “Support” on our website at www.salidacouncilforthearts.org
The SCFTA Mission Statement: “Our mission is to enrich the cultural life of our community by nurturing and supporting excellence in the arts; to increase the community’s awareness of and appreciation for the arts; to promote and encourage arts education; and to serve as liaison between the arts, businesses, government and educational institutions.”
