Arts Participation Initiative - 2008 Grantees

Providing multiyear grants and focused training to build capacity in arts organizations in ethnic, rural, low income and disabled communities in Washington State.

The Washington State Arts Commission (WSAC) funded 13 organizations within the Arts Participation Initiative for FY 2008, to enhance cultural participation in underserved communities. Funds are from the Challenge America Program of the National Endowment for the Arts and state funds.

The links below go to site visit reports conducted by API project manager Saya Moriyasu. The following projects received $4,000 grants for FY 2008 (July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008):

Arab Center of Washington (Seattle)
Promotion of Arab Center's cultural events year round and support for maintenance of an office to use as a cultural resource center and for meetings.

Art Walla (Walla Walla)
Completion of the "Windows on the Past" historical mural project including research of more ethnic group settlements in the Walla Walla area, as well as actual fabrication of the enamel on steel murals.

Brazil Center (Renton)
"Kids in Brazilian Beat" workshops for children and parents culminating in a performance at Brasil Fest at Seattle Center, as well as performers' fees for Brasil Fest.

Confluence Project (Vancouver)
Plan and implement the public dedication event for the Confluence Land Bridge in Vancouver WA, including significant Native American participation.

CREATE (Newport)
After school arts classes for young children in rural areas, concert series and readings by authors in the library.

Columbia Theatre (Longview)
Residency by Isaac Shultz Reyes in Latino dance at the local elementary school, as well as the Shakespeare for Youth student program series.

Finnish American Folk Festival (Naselle)
Presentation of Finn-Am Jams music programs in Naselle, Fort Columbia and Astoria areas, as well as support for folk music master Wilho Saari and Chinook Tribal outreach activities.

Methow Arts Alliance (Twisp)
Continue arts programs with students and teachers from Paschal Sherman Indian School, matching arts learning to state requirements for learning goals.

Nature Consortium (King County)
Free multidisciplinary art classes for youth 5 to 19 living in low income public housing communities throughout King County.

Nooksack Indian Tribe (Deming)
Teach tribal youth the traditional arts and crafts: cedar basketry, beading, drum making and paddle making will be included.

Orcas Center (Orcas Island)
Support Orcas Conservatory, performing arts classes culminating in production of Beauty and the Beast. Preparation will include jazz and hip hop dance classes, and visual artists involvement in sets and costumes.

White Center Community Development Assoc. (King County)
Continue to develop public art works to represent community diversity by including local youth and elders in planning and also involve youth in other media art programs.

Yakima Symphony Orchestra (Yakima)
Present the Dia de los Muertos altar exhibit and include a major musical exchange concert with musicians from Morelia, Mexico.

The Initiative provides multi-year funding for model projects proposed by arts and community organizations whose primary focus is serving these target communities. The organizations take part in a statewide learning community involving studying, sharing best practices, developing arts leadership, evaluating and documenting project successes.

Funded by the National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America Program, the Arts Participation Initiative's goal is to involve more community members of all ages in meaningful arts experiences as audiences, participating artists and/or arts supporters. The Initiative receives funding from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation for the training component.

The Initiative was developed with funding from the Wallace Foundation, a national grantmaking organization based in New York. ^