You Have Until July 14 to Get Your Proposal In

The Cultural Arts Grant Committee of the Town of Clayton has begun accepting proprosals from artists and others for funding of art projects during the upcoming year.

But, the deadline is July 14, so you'd better hurry and get your proposal together. Applications are available at The Clayton Center located at 111 East 2nd Street in downtown Clayton. Questions regarding the grant application should be directed to Heidi Stump, Executive Director of The Clayton Center, at 553-3152.

Last year, the Committee awarded grants totaling $16,500 to five local arts organizations for a variety of projects, including a “Singing Valentine” program for those in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Part of the money funded monthly art exhibits and artist workshops.

“We're excited to be able to help fund so many projects,” said Mayor Jody McLeod, a committee member. “This grant program, and the fruits of these art projects, will help us take another step toward our goal of becoming known as an arts community.”

The Committee considers several factors in its evaluation process, including:
o Community support and benefit
o Leadership and creativity
o Demonstrable expertise and resources
o Location and potential audiences
o Compatibility with Town goals and programs

“This new grant process gives the town a great way to effectively and efficiently allocate our arts funding, using sound and clear methods for decisions,” Stump, a member of the Committee, said.

Clayton has long supported the arts through special allocation funding, but decided to establish the Grant Committee last year to insure an efficient and effective division of its grant money. The committee received requests from six organizations last year and allocated funds to five.

“Our hope was that this new process would generate more ideas and creativity,” the Mayor said, “and it worked."