City of Pasadena accepting applications for Annual Arts Grants Program

The city of Pasadena is seeking applications for the 2009-2010 Annual Arts Grants Program.

Grants are available for arts and culture programs, arts education partnerships, festivals and parades, and support to individual artists. Last year the Pasadena Arts & Culture Commission, through the Cultural Affairs Division, awarded $138,500 to 20 organizations, events and artists.
Submissions must be received no later than 5 p.m. Monday, June 8, for funding July 9, 2009, to June 30, 2010.

The grants program is designed to support the work of individual artists, expand opportunities for residents to engage in the creative process, fund Pasadena’s cultural institutions and encourage arts education partnerships. Funding for festivals and parades expands the impact of cultural tourism within the city.

Free primary grant writing workshops are required for all first-time applicants and those who have not applied since 2001. Workshops will be Monday, March 30, and Thursday, April 30.

Annual Grants Program categories are:

1. Art and Culture Grant I, II and III: For non-profit arts organizations and their social service partners that offer professional arts programming such as exhibitions, performance, education, strategic planning and audience development, including community outreach and marketing. Organizations may receive up to $10,000 in one of three categories: organizations with budgets of less than $200,000; $200,000 up to and including $500,000; and those over $500,000.

2. Arts Education Partnership Grant: Up to $10,000 is available for individual artists, artist teams and organizations that offer arts education opportunities to Pasadena Unified School District students on and off campus, after school or through summer programs. Programs featuring teacher training are also eligible.

3. Individual Artist Grant: For artists who work or live in Pasadena. Grants are for career development through support of public exhibitions, performances or special projects. Individual artists may be granted up to $5,000.

4. The Festival and Parade Grant Program supports production costs and artists’ fees to produce events that foster accessibility, cultural diversity and a celebration of culture. Examples include music and dance festivals, parades and cultural celebrations. A non-profit arts and culture organization or non-profit social service organization in partnership with an arts and culture organization is eligible for up to $10,000 in funding.

For more information visit www.cityofpasadena.net/arts or call (626) 744-7062.