Cedar City Artist Grant Program Applications Due July 31st

For Immediate Release For Information, Contact
July 5th, 2011 Raymond Inkel, Cedar City Arts Council
435-865-8264 inkel@bard.org



Cedar City Artist Grant Program Applications Due July 31st

The Cedar City Arts Council Artist Grant Program awards small grants up to $500 to help artists and groups who may not be eligible for other funding. Grant awards are given out twice each year in August and February. Applications for the next funding cycle are due on July 31st, 2011. Grant requirements and applications are available at www.cedarcityartscouncil.org.

Grants totaling $3070 were awarded during the 2010-2011 year, with the following recipients:
The Cedar City Junior Ballet is a civic classical ballet company with the goal of enriching the community arts by maintaining the highest standards of classical ballet, and performing the purest ballets, most of which have been in existence for over one hundred years. The organization’s ballets are open to all community members to participate in their productions – from age four to one hundred and four – with or without any previous dance training. Grant funds assisted in funding production costs for costume and set refurbishment for their Winter Performance in 2011.
Debbie Drake is a local artist who works in a variety of mediums from ceramics to acrylic and watercolor painting, fabric art and weaving. Debbie’s goal was to open her home based studio for children with court-appointed advocates, for adult caretakers of chronic patients and/or adults needing energized creativity to relieve stress. Grant funds were used to purchase art supplies for her “Creativity Workshops” and to help defray childcare or caregiver costs during the sessions.
Fiona Phillips is an oil painter and soft sculpture artist. Her current project is a series of paintings depicting women in 1950’s inspired clothing and a set of clothing – art dresses – that combine beauty with practicality. The work was featured in the online magazine AliveUtah and was shown at the St. George Art Academy. Grant funds were used to purchase dress forms and supplies.
Oasis House is a facility run by the Southwest Behavioral Health Center to provide a Day Treatment Program for chronically mentally ill clients. The program added a broad-based music group to their activities, using musical instruments, voice, CDs and DVDs to provide opportunities for listening, moving, interacting and learning as well as performing, within a wide range of genre. Grant funds were used to purchase musical instruments, music books and tickets to local events.
Southern Utah Woodturners is a new and quickly-growing organization in Cedar City, involving woodturners from as far away as Fillmore, Richfield and Beaver Dam. They provide demonstrations, items for community events, and classes for their members. Grant funds were used to purchase audio/video equipment to enhance their demonstrations and classes and to hire a professional woodturner to teach an advanced class.
Samuel El Halta is a local photographer of landscapes, wildlife, family and individual portraits. He has submitted his works for the Iron County Today newspaper and displays his art work at the middle school where he teaches. Grant funds were used to purchase updated camera equipment.
Southern Utah Watercolor Society is a local group of watercolor artists, most of whom are amateurs. They have provided numerous shows of their works in Iron County, all were free to the public. Grant funds were used to organize and produce workshops to teach members new skills.
Dolcé String Quartet is a performing group made up of four high school girls that have played together for over four years. They practice weekly and perform at various events in and around Cedar City. Grant funds were used to purchase additional music to increase their repertoire.
Southern Utah Handbell Choir is made up of nine community members that play with a set of bells borrowed from Cedar High School. They have performed as lobby music and guest performers at concerts at the Heritage Center. Grant funds were used to purchase tables, music stands and pad covers to facilitate performances at other venues.
Accidental 5 Brass Quintet is comprised of Cedar City community members that perform free concerts. Grant funds were used to purchase the rights to arrange Disney songs for Brass Quintet such that they can produce a Children’s Concert where children of all ages are welcome and the music selections are recognizable to children of all ages.
Peter Street – Fiddle Band is a group of string musicians, both youth and adults, dedicated to learning and performing fiddle and folk music. The group performs at local Iron County events and plans to increase their opportunities and bring the music to more listeners. Grant funds were used to hire a clinician to deliver a workshop to teach musicianship and performing skills, composing skills, audience interaction, and receive feedback about strengths, weaknesses, and their vision.