Big announcement today – we released the list of our latest grant recipients from the Neighborhood & Community Arts program (NCA for short); the $50,000 investment in the NCA program put our total investment in the arts and cultural community since the Office was founded in 1971 at over $50 million. Yes, $50 million! We did the math several times to make sure it’s right (with the diligent assistance of the lovely people at HistoryLink.org), because it’s an awfully big number. But that’s it – $50 million.
Funding awards for NCA recipients will go to over 40 neighborhood arts festivals and events. The NCA program will invest $1,200 per organization in events taking place in 18 neighborhoods throughout the city. 82 applications were received for the program; of the 42 funded projects, 14 represent first-time applicants to the program and 22 specifically serve immigrants and communities of color.
In an effort to better serve the community, the Office is transitioning the NCA program to a two-year support program starting in 2014. The top 20 panel-ranked grantees this year will be offered two years of funding (2014 and 2015) without re-applying. All others will be funded for one year, and offered the opportunity to apply, along with other groups, for two-year funding next year.
The varied slate of community events includes the APRIL Festival, a small press and independent literature festival; the Chinese Arts & Culture Festival, providing a comprehensive look at Chinese culture through performing arts, music, visual arts displays and crafts; the Georgetown Carnival, a showcase of the diverse communities in the historic Georgetown industrial arts corridor; the NEPO 5K Don’t Run, an annual art walk spread across a 5km route from the International District to Beacon Hill; the Social Justice Film Festival, which features short and feature-length documentaries and narrative films; and the Women Who Rock unconference, honoring women involved in Seattle music scenes.
NCA supports neighborhood groups that produce recurring festivals or events that promote arts and cultural participation, build community and enhance the visibility of neighborhoods through arts and culture. Keep an eye out for the 2014 application process, and check out the complete listing of events and festivals funded for 2014.
Click here for more information on all the funding programs offered by the Office of Arts & Culture.
