Article by Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster
Six arts and culture projects within Camrose shared $16,500 through the Camrose Arts Council, which awarded the grants in the spring to help offset costs, while promoting local initiatives. The Arts Council functions under the governance of the City of Camrose.
“Our role is to encourage the growth of arts and culture in Camrose and provide funding that helps events move forward,” said Camrose Arts Council chairperson Steven Hansen. “These are projects which might not see the light of day without some financial support.”
Twice a year, spring and fall, the Arts Council calls for applications for grants from individuals and groups who want to organize an event promoting the arts and culture scene in Camrose.
“We’re here to help projects get off the ground,” said Hansen. “We really like to see innovation and new ideas. Our role is not to provide money for capital expenses, fundraisers or ongoing operational costs, but rather to support onetime expenses associated with an event. We are excited when a unique idea comes to us seeking some much-needed funding.”
Hansen said it is a challenging task to tease through the applications the Arts Council receives requesting grants, looking for those that meet the funding requirements; however, he added that it is gratifying to know the council is pivotal in giving arts and culture projects the boost they need to see the light of day.
In addition to providing financial support to local arts and culture projects, the Camrose Arts Council is anticipating with excitement the inaugural Mayor’s Arts Awards event being held September 21 at the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre.
“It’s going to be a celebration recognizing outstanding contributors to arts and culture in Camrose. Two awards will be presented.
“One is the Creator Award and the other is the Champion Award. All of the Creator Award nominees, which span multiple art disciplines, will also be acknowledged.”
Everyone is welcome to attend the Mayors’ Arts Award event with refreshments at 5 p.m. and the awards portion of the reception beginning at 6 p.m.
For more details visit www.camrose.ca/mayorsartsawards.
“If you or your group have an arts and culture event you would like to organize but may need some financial support, we encourage you to submit an application,” said Hansen. “Our intake deadline for applications is twice a year, March 30 and September 30.
“We’re looking forward to seeing what comes to us this fall.”
The next deadline for applications is September 30.
Grants awarded following the March 30 intake deadline included: Summer on Plaza Series at the Lougheed Performing Arts Centre; Camrose Country Fair, Camrose Centennial Museum Society; Summer Music School, Dr. Joy Berg; Family Arts Day, Camrose Arts Society; Jaywalkers’ Jamboree entertainment stages, Camrose and District Chamber of Commerce; Camrose and District Music Festival Association.
For more information on grant funding and applying for grants visit www.camrose.ca/artscouncil.
Pictured left to right standing are Sebastien D’Eschambeault, Camrose Chamber of Commerce president; Jennifer Fossen, Chamber of Commerce vice president; Nick Beach, Lougheed Performing Arts Centre general manager; Stacey Beach, Camrose Arts Council vice chair, Mike Ploner, Camrose Arts Council board member; Steven Hansen, Camrose Arts Council chair; Stephanie Lane, Camrose Arts Society president; Dr. Joy Berg; Katelyn Kelly, Camrose and District Music Festival past president. Seated are Agnes Hoveland, City councillor and Deb Trout, Camrose Centennial Museum Society secretary.
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