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DC
Endowment for the Arts announces grant awards
Darke County Endowment for the Arts recently granted funds to seven
applicants who submitted requests for financial assistance for their
arts-related projects. According to DCEA Chair Marilyn Delk, one of
DCEA's major purposes is to assist organizations and individuals in
achieving artistic goals that benefit the citizens of Darke County. The
grants were awarded to: Annie Oakley Committee, Boys and Girls Club,
Darke County Park District, Friends of Bear’s Mill, Friends of the
Cardinal Center, Greenville Municipal Band, and C. J. Jasenski.
“All of the applications this year were worthy of support, and will
provide opportunities for enjoyment of the arts by a broad range of
people; this year's grants will financially assist musical
performances, an art camp, art exhibits, and other cultural
presentations,” Mrs. Delk stated. “We look forward to the community
embracing the opportunities provided by the projects we've funded,” she
concluded.
DCEA funds will help support the arts component of a long-standing
local tradition, the Annie Oakley Festival; in addition to providing a
venue for live music as well as Darke County Civic Theatre's melodrama,
the Annie Oakley Committee offers a free historical bus tour throughout
the festival's 3-day run. The Boys and Girls Club requested funds to
provide a trip to an out-of-town arts event for their members, offering
a learning and growing opportunity to youngsters who might not
otherwise experience the rewards of such exposure; the request was
granted contingent upon actualization of the planned activity.
Darke County Park District’s Prairie Days event celebrates our
community’s natural and cultural heritage. Artists performing during
the festival in Shawnee Prairie Preserve's outdoor amphitheater will be
compensated in part by funds granted by DCEA; performers include
bluegrass group Silver Grass, singer/songwriter/storyteller Steve
Madewell, and Thien Snipps, a classic country string group, plus
performances by Darke County Civic Theatre.
“Art At the Mill” in the Clark Gallery at historic Bear’s Mill received
assistance from the Endowment; this series of art exhibits gives local
residents the opportunity to view and possibly purchase the work of
fine artists who are eager to display their talents to a broad
audience. Additionally, photographer and graphic artist C. J. Jasenski
received funding for materials needed to prepare and mount his upcoming
“Art At the Mill” exhibit. The Friends of the Cardinal Center who are
working to preserve the historical and educational heritage of
Gettysburg School will host a free arts camp this summer; Endowment
funds will help offset the cost of materials, instruction, and
facilities.
Greenville Municipal Band's popular annual concert series in Greenville
City Park has provided free entertainment to generations of local
residents. The funds granted by the Endowment will be used to help
cover operating costs including musicians' fees so that this summer
tradition can continue to fill summer nights with music for Darke
Countians of all ages.
DCEA is a non-profit organization that receives and manages charitable
gifts that are invested to produce income benefitting the arts in Darke
County. In addition to the General Fund from which grant monies are
allotted, the Endowment maintains other funds, one specifically
dedicated to assisting Darke County Center for the Arts in their
mission to culturally enrich our community, and the Memorial Hall Fund
to help preserve and maintain historic Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall.
For more information about how you can become involved in keeping the
arts alive in our community, contact DCEA at P.O. Box 155, Greenville,
OH 45331 or get in touch with a member of DCEA's governing board. In
addition to Mrs. Delk trustees are Gary Brown, Suzi Brown, Roberta
Feltman, Barbara Greiner, Becky Hartnagle, and Andrea Jordan. Julie
Strait serves as DCEA treasurer.
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