Community Foundation awards nearly $129,000 grants to Grand Forks-area arts organizations
Apr. 26—GRAND FORKS — More than $128,800 has been awarded to 12 local arts organizations through the 2024 Iseminger Endowment for the Arts Grant Program, the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region has announced.
This year's grant program consisted of funding from two separate sources, said Becca Baumbach, the foundation's executive director.
A total of $47,000 flows from the National Endowment for the Arts to support Grand Forks-based arts and culture nonprofit organizations, and $81,806.38 is from the Iseminger Endowment for the Arts to supports arts and culture projects by nonprofit organizations with principal operations in Grand Forks, Walsh or Polk counties.
Those organizations receiving the largest grants were:
* Northern Valley Youth Orchestras — $21,000 for its Season 14 performances and rehearsals;
* Grand Cities Children's Choir — $19,518 to support the "One Voice" projects, which includes music education and two free public performances;
* Empire Arts Center — $14,800 for the "Build a Band" program, an effort to assist in the development of young musicians;
* East Grand Forks Public Schools — $14,320.85 to purchase new percussion instrument for middle and high school band programs;
* Grand Forks Chorales — $12,000 to support development and production of "Brahms Requiem";
* North Dakota Museum of Art — $12,000 for a series of performance and outreach events with an internationally-recognized brass quintet; and
* Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra — $10,000 to support the May 5, 2024, concert, which includes a performance by Serbian guest cellist Viktor Uzur.
Other grants were distributed to the following organizations:
* ArtWise — to support 2024-25 activities, including art projects in conjunction with the St. Joseph's Social Care summer lunch program, mini art festivals for children held during school breaks, and camps directed by gallery artists;
* Grand Forks Children's Museum — to support the Tom Brosseau and Friends concert at the Empire Arts Center;
* Muddy Waters Clay Center — to provide materials and equipment, allowing for expansion of experiences with clay through classroom, workshop and demonstration opportunities;
* Public Arts Commission — to support ArtFest, set for June 8-9 at University Park; and
* University Park Neighborhoods — to support a summer pilot program for youth, ages 10-14, in Grand Forks' north side neighborhoods to engage in artistic education in public parks.
"The Community Foundation works diligently to support programs that offer low-cost educational and artistic experiences to our region's families, to increase access for both artists and diverse audiences, and to encourage the growth of our community's creative and cultural sectors," Baumbach said in a news release.
Grants from the Iseminger Endowment for the Arts fund a diverse range of creative opportunities that will educate, entertain and inspire the community of the upper Red River Valley.
Over the next 12 months, it is anticipated that these grantees will offer opportunities to more than 11,600 professional artists and aspiring artists, Baumbach said, and will welcome nearly 52,700 visitors and audience members to their facilities and venues.
The Community Foundation is a nonprofit foundation created by and for the people of the region to encourage a spirit of philanthropy. It manages more than 150 charitable funds and provides grants to qualified nonprofit organizations, public entities and other charitable causes.
Since 1998, the foundation has granted $13.2 million to create stronger, more vibrant communities across the middle and upper Red River Valley region.
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