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Last updated on Thursday, October 5, 2017
(BLOOMINGTON) - Fourteen arts projects recently received funding from the Zone Arts Grant Program sponsored by the Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association (BUEA) and the Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District (BEAD).
The Zone Arts Grant Program is designed to support arts activities within the boundaries of the Bloomington Urban Enterprise Zone. Individual artists, teams of artists, local businesses, and nonprofit organizations (including neighborhood groups) are eligible to apply for project support that will do one or more of the following for residents and businesses within the Urban Enterprise Zone: facilitate involvement in arts and cultural activities; provide an opportunity to participate in the creative process; advance the quality and availability of the arts in the Zone; or celebrate or enhance the identity of the Zone. Exhibits, concerts, performances, festivals, art markets, art space development and public art (including murals) are all examples of the types of projects eligible for funding through the BUEA and BEAD Zone Arts Grant program.
"We were thrilled to receive a record number of applications for this year's Zone Arts program. Creative placemaking and a vibrant artistic environment are integral components of a strong, thriving economy. The BUEA is proud to support these outstanding local arts projects, and we look forward to continuing our support of innovative art programs in our community," commented Brian Payne, the city's Assistant Director of Small Business Development.
The proposals that received Zone Arts Grant Program funding include the following:
Bloomington Boogies - Bloomington Blues and Boogie Woogie Piano Festival ($4,000)
Bloomington Blues and Boogie Woogie Piano Festival is an annual world-class festival featuring renowned piano players, dancers, food, and beverages. Bloomington Boogies strives to present acclaimed piano players in both ticketed and free performances, and to present free educational programs to expose young people and young pianists to world-class artists.
Bloomington Early Music Festival - 2018 Bloomington Early Music Festival ($4,000)
The Bloomington Early Music Festival (BLEMF) is an annual event featuring local, national, and international artists in approximately 20 concerts, educational events, an instrument petting zoo, panel discussions, and exhibitions. A partnership with Early Music America enables BLEMF to host the annual Young Performers Festival, which features six concerts showcasing outstanding student ensembles that are selected through a popular national competition. In 2018, BLEMF will also host its first Battle of the Bands event, which promises a fun-filled public display of virtuosic performances.
Bloomington Graduation School - BGS: Building Greater Stories ($3,120)
This project creates opportunities for Bloomington Graduation School students to participate in after-school arts activities. Students will work with Adam Henze and other professional artist educators in poetry workshops to publish a book of their work. Students also will design a public mural to share their stories through a combination of painted images and text.
Bloomington Handmade Market - Bloomington Handmade Market Summer Expansion ($2,595)
Bloomington Handmade Market (BHM) is a semiannual event featuring an independent crafts fair. In 2018, BHM's spring market will expand to include a summer outdoor fair that will fill downtown Bloomington streets with food trucks, live entertainment, and arts activities.
Cardboard House Press - Building a Mobile Parklet in Bloomington ($4,000)
This project will lead to the development of a mobile parklet - a small wooden structure that will extend the sidewalk into adjacent parking spaces. Following the completion and installation of the parklet, Cardboard House Press will collaborate with local artists and organizations to use the parklet for lectures, workshops, poetry readings, chess tournaments, and other public activities.
Cardinal Stage Company - Cardinal For Kids ($4,000)
In 2010, Cardinal Stage Company launched its "Cardinal For Kids" series, which includes a family holiday musical at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater (BCT). The program has brought popular and critically acclaimed theatre to a professional level for kids in Monroe County and surrounding areas. "Cardinal For Kids" will bring at least 285 students to a "Cardinal For Kids" show at no cost to the school or parents this year.
Cicada Cinema - Monthly Pop-Up Film Screenings ($4,000)
Once a month, Cicada Cinema will team up with a local business within the BUEA Zone to host twelve pop-up film events to provide affordable, accessible screenings of both new and classic films. Cicada Cinema also will continue its monthly film challenge, which invites both established and aspiring local filmmakers to screen films for an eager audience.
Krampus - Krampus Rampage and Bazaar ($3,475)
Each year, Krampus offers Bloomington an opportunity to experience Krampus Rampage and Bazaar, an ancient Alpine cultural tradition that promotes good behavior. The Krampus Rampage and Bazaar is a celebratory performance art featuring a night-time winter parade, activities, arts and crafts, games, and more.
Monster House Press - Monster House Presents ($1,700)
"Monster House Presents" is a monthly reading series that showcases both emerging and established poets from across the United States. The series reimagines the format of traditional poetry readings by featuring poets, local musicians, and visual performance artists.
June Kim - Rush Hour Music Series ($960)
Rush Hour Music Series organizes performances on the last Friday of each month at the Bloomington Transit Center. The concerts are organized by a collaboration between Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the Jacobs School of Music. RHMS promotes conversations through music and hopes to enhance quality of ridership on Bloomington Transit.
Uel Zing - Arts and Performance Space ($2,000)
Uel Zing will continue and expand hosting a variety of arts and culture events in collaboration with local organizations and groups. "Uel Laugh," a stand-up comedy open mic night series, will attract 10-12 performers from across Bloomington and the region. Poetry readings, musical performances, film screenings, pop-ups with community collaborators, and a "Bring Your Own Art" event will stimulate more opportunities, events, and happenings for residents to showcase and enjoy art.
Untitled Light - Arts Programming for Kids and Seniors ($2,595)
Untitled Light is a platform that allows both professional and up-and-coming artists to engage with local practitioners of art, resource provision, and the community. The project has two focuses: Kids with Cameras and the Art Workshop Series for Seniors. The programs will construct and lead to greater creative connections through artist-led workshops, projects, and events.
Wild Orchid Aerial Fitness - Building Revitalization Project ($2,595)
This revitalization and community engagement project will enhance the overall appearance of the space while creating opportunities to increase positive messaging about women. Wild Orchid will work with local artist Priscilla Rocha to design and paint geometric murals to create a feminist message wall. Each season, Wild Orchid will accept and paint an original inspirational quote selected from Wild Orchid social media followers using #FeministsBeLike.
Your Art Here ($960)
Your Art Here is an arts organization that takes billboards and other public spaces that would be designated for commercial use and repurposes those spaces for artistic and creative messages. The flagship billboard is located at the northwest corner of 6th Street and Walnut Street. The program is committed to showcasing dynamic and beautiful artwork from Bloomington and beyond.
About the Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association (BUEA)
The Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association provides the means to improve the economic, physical, and social environment for Zone residents and businesses, and contributes to economic development efforts in Bloomington's urban core. The Enterprise Zone operates in accordance with Indiana State Code and has created or retained hundreds of jobs and spurred millions of dollars in increased investment. For more information on the BUEA, visit bloomington.in.gov/buea.
About the Bloomington Enterainment and Arts District (BEAD)
BEAD seeks to bring the business and creative sectors together to advance commerce and culture, build community, and spur economic development. BEAD is a geographically defined, mixed-use cultural district in downtown Bloomington which capitalizes on local and regional assets that are specific to the cultural, economic, and social issues of Bloomington. BEAD emphasizes the high concentration of creative assets and related activities to strengthen and enhance the overall economic development of the community, and provides a connective link to a variety of incentives, programs and grants to benefit its major stakeholder groups and users: the community, visitors, the creative, cultural and entertainment sectors, and small business. Read more at bloomington.in.gov/arts.
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