Dozens of Colorado organizations are joining the nationwide dash for a slice of $50 million set aside for the arts as part of a $787 billion federal stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama in February.
The PlatteForum arts center wants $25,000 to keep its artistic director full time. The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet seeks $50,000 to replace two dancers. The Colorado Symphony is asking for $50,000 to help pay salaries for three summer concerts in the parks.
For cultural groups, it’s a welcome boost at a time when other funding is shrinking.
“Looking out in the future, we know that some of our grants are being cut, and there’s uncertainty about whether some of our funds are going to be renewed, and, so for us, this becomes a good stopgap,” said Trish Thibodo, PlatteForum’s executive director.
Groups have until April 2 to apply to the National Endowment for the Arts for grants of $25,000 or $50,000 to support projects that directly result in the preservation of jobs in the arts industry.
Substantially limiting the pool of applicants is a requirement that all requesters be previous recipients of NEA grants during the past four years.
In Colorado, 42 organizations are eligible for NEA stimulus grants, including 18 in metropolitan Denver.
For many groups, the money will help maintain the status quo. Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, for example, currently has 11 members, but with looming drops in individual, foundation and governmental support, the company faces the possibility of not being able to replace two members who are retiring this year.
“We feel we’ve always put the art and our dancers first in the organization,” said Zander Higbie, the ballet’s director of development. “If we drop down to nine dancers, that compromises our ability to produce at the same artistic level that we always have.”
Colorado organizations can also apply for a share of the stimulus money through local and regional organizations, including the Colorado Council on the Arts, Western States Arts Federation and probably the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs.
A little more than $1 million will be available through those three organizations (though WESTAF’s funds will be divided among 13 states). Organizations obtaining a grant from one source will not be able to get money through any other agency.
The Colorado Council on the Arts has $314,100 in stimulus money and plans to distribute it in allotments of $10,000. It will copy the NEA guidelines, with applicants required to have received an allocation from the council during the past four years.
A little more than 200 organizations and governmental agencies statewide will be eligible, said Elaine Mariner, the council’s executive director.
“It’s not based on much other than a gut feeling, but I could see getting around 100 applications,” she said. “But with a little over $300,000, we can only give 30 $10,000 awards, so it will be really competitive.”
The Denver Office of Cultural Affairs still must apply for the stimulus funds it hopes to redistribute. Director Erin Trapp said the agency is requesting the $250,000 maximum, but it could receive $100,000 — or nothing.
Denver organizations that receive funding from the tax-supported Scientific and Cultural Facilities District but are not eligible for direct NEA grants will be able to seek DOCA stimulus grants.”I think what we will do is assume we get the money and start designing the process,” Trapp said.
PlatteForum, which sponsors collaborations between resident artists and disadvantaged Denver youths, is seeking $25,000 from the NEA to help pay the salary of its founder and artistic director, Judy Anderson.
In 2006, her position was cut to part time because of funding problems. It was not returned to full time until this year – something the organization wants to continue.
“For us, this really is one of our core positions,” Thibodo said. “When cuts start to come, it will impact personnel, and that’s why we’re applying to the NEA.”
Kyle MacMillan: 303-954-1675 or kmacmillan@denverpost.com
