FLORIDA KEYS COUNCIL OF THE ARTS
Press Release
Contact: Liz Young
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 305-295-4369

Arts Council Increases Grant Award to $5,000

ArtReach Grant Application Deadline is August 31

The Florida Keys Council of the arts is pleased to announce a request for proposals by local artists and cultural groups for the organization’s fall 2016 ArtReach grant. “We are fortunate to recently receive funding that provides the Arts Council with an opportunity to increase the award for this grant from $2000 to up to $5000 for one grant winner,” said Arts Council Executive Director Elizabeth Young. “For this grant, we are looking for creative new project ideas with an emphasis on audience development.” The grant deadline is August 31, 2016.

The project must extend the applicant’s typical audience by reaching out to a new and broader population. Grant projects may be in any genre: performing, visual, historical or literary arts. The applicant must have a partner organization. This partner need not be an arts organization. FKCA encourages creative collaborations with local business. “When arts and business partner, everyone benefits,” said Young. “It’s been proven that art partnerships build healthy, innovative, and artistic communities as well as give businesses a competitive advantage.”

ArtReach applicants must complete an online application, including a letter of support from their partner organization, describing how the partner will be involved in the project. ArtReach partners must contribute something of value to assist the artist or cultural organization to reach out to a new audience. The project must be completed by the May 31, 2017. The grantee will receive monies on a reimbursement basis, upon completion of a final program report. The grantee’s final report must include photographs and written material documenting the project.

Previous award winners include: Key West Art & Historical Society & Key West High School: “Key West bringing Arthur Rothstein to Life”; Florida Keys History of Diving Museum & Artists Don Gonzalez and Jon Dreaver: “Portraits in an Underwater Paradise” and Art Guild of the Purple Isles & Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation: “50th Anniversary Judged Art Show”.

Jill Miranda Baker, Executive Director of the Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation, which operates the Keys History & Discovery Center, offered this quote on her experience with the Art Reach grant experience: “Our collaboration with the Arts Council and the Art Guild of the Purple Isles has positively impacted our reach in the community. The Guild’s 50th anniversary exhibit attracted new visitors to our Center which allowed us to also share our permanent exhibits and beautiful facility too.

The FKCA ArtReach grant is sponsored in part by the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, the State of Florida, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, the National Endowment for the Arts, and private donations.

The Florida Keys Council of the Arts is the leading arts and cultural organization in the Florida Keys. As the non-profit local arts agency in Monroe County it connects audiences from around the world to galleries, theaters, museums, festivals, dance, music and more from Key Largo to Key West. FKCA makes grants, supports Art in Public Places, and promotes the destination for its rich and diverse history in art and culture. The Arts Council provides services to visual and performing artists, arts organizations, students and the public, striving to instill a passion for and participation in the arts. For more information about the ArtReach grant application process, or to make a donation, visit www.keysarts.com, email info@keysarts.com or call 305-295-4369.

Photographs attached: Artists enjoying 50th Anniversary Show of the Purple Isles Art Guild at the Keys Discovery Center Photo credit: Carmen M Alex Photography

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