Arizona Commission on the Arts Announces Grants to Organizations and Schools

$1,517,564 Awarded to Catalyze Arts and Cultural Activities Across the State PHOENIX - The Arizona Commission on the Arts, an agency of the State of Arizona, announces 267 grants to organizations, local arts agencies, schools and community organizations in 13 Arizona counties for fiscal year 2013. The grant awards are for activities that take place between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013. Executive Director Robert C. Booker says of the awards, Grants from the Arts Commission challenge arts and culture organizations to serve the citizens of Arizona, through the delivery of arts experiences to residents and visitors of all ages. The services these organizations and schools provide are valuable to the citizens of our state, and the modest but critical investment in our nonprofit arts industry helps revitalize communities, brings visitors, and generates revenue for other sectors. Grants from the Arts Commission serve as catalysts for nonprofit arts organizations, community groups and schools to provide opportunities for Arizonans to participate in and experience the arts. Recipients are required to match funding received from the Arts Commission, 1 to 1. The grant-making process includes a rigorous application and review process which is led by Governor-appointed Commissioners. Funding recommendations are made by panels comprised of volunteer experts and experienced practitioners from around the state. Grants are funded by the Arizona Arts Trust Fund and state funding provided via the National Endowment for the Arts. The FY13 grant cycle is the first active year of the Arizona Cultural Data Project (CDP), an online management tool designed to strengthen arts and cultural organizations, and to centralize applications to private and public funders. To date, over 300 arts and culture organizations participate in the Arizona CDP, which will yield comprehensive fiscal and audience data from Arizonas nonprofit arts and culture sector to aid in critical research and development. Arts Commission grants in FY13 will support 26 festivals, celebrating Arizonas rich historical and cultural traditions, 60 Arts Learning projects, preparing young people with critical and creative thinking skills, and 207 nonprofit arts organizations across Arizona, which partner with businesses in their own communities to build local economies. According to the Americans for the Arts 2012 Creative Industries Report, Arizona is home to 17,876 arts-related businesses which employ 56,000 people. Arizonas Creative Industry accounts for 4.64% of all Arizona businesses.