Fishers Arts & Culture Commission Awards $60,000 to Local Organizations in Record-High Grant Cycle

LarryInFishers.com

The Fishers Arts & Culture Commission (FACC) has unveiled the recipients of its 2024 Fishers Arts & Culture Grant program, marking a milestone in community support for the arts. A total of 11 local organizations have been selected to receive $60,000 in funding, a significant increase compared to previous years. The grant program, now in its fourth year, aims to bolster the arts community within Fishers by supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to cultural enrichment.

This year’s grant cycle witnessed an unprecedented surge in funding requests, prompting the FACC to allocate an additional $10,000 compared to the 2023 cycle. The surge underscores the growing demand for arts initiatives and the vital role they play in fostering community engagement and creativity.

“One meaningful way the City of Fishers builds community and vibrancy is through the arts,” said Jocelyn Vare, chair of the Fishers Arts & Culture Commission, in a city news release. “This year’s grant recipients will provide unique experiences that demonstrate the talent and creativity of Fishers. Residents can look forward to enjoying new visual art, a showcase of Black artists, interactive music, a new art and tech event, and much more in 2024. These arts experiences will be an amazing complement to the grand opening of the Fishers Art Center in the new Fishers Municipal Center later this year.”

Since its inception in 2021, the grant program has been a cornerstone of the city’s commitment to supporting artistic endeavors. With funding allocated from the City of Fishers’ annual budget, the program has awarded over $202,000 in grants to 35 local organizations. These grants have facilitated the realization of various projects, including public art installations, community events, and cultural celebrations across Fishers.

Among the anticipated projects slated for 2024 are a showcase of Black artists, interactive music experiences, and a groundbreaking art and tech event. These initiatives promise to offer residents new and immersive arts experiences that celebrate the rich diversity and talent within Fishers.

Furthermore, the upcoming grand opening of the Fishers Art Center in the new Fishers Municipal Center later this year is set to further elevate the city’s arts scene. The center will serve as a hub for artistic expression and creativity, providing a platform for local artists and organizations to engage with the community.

Recipients of the 2024 Fishers Arts & Culture Commission Grant Program include:

  • 31Svn Dance Academy ($4,000) to host five hip-hop dance workshops, including free classes and panel discussions open to the public.
  • Academy of Dance Arts ($7,000) for continued development of the Academy’s Dance Ability studio classes and public performance for youth with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
  • Brandon Meeks Music ($7,000) to perform the Harmony in Motion: Jazz Improve Workshop Series, including live public performances, education sessions, and interactive workshops.
  • Emerging Pearls Foundation ($7,000) to host the third annual Art, Kulture, and Appetizers event showcasing Black artists in dance, applied arts, spoke word, hair-art, and more at Hub & Spoke in June 2024.
  • Fishers Arts Council ($5,710) to host monthly Second Friday gallery receptions at the FAC Gallery at the Hub located at the Hamilton County Community Foundation, along with musical groups at the Spark!Fishers Art & Car Show in June and Harvest Fest in September.
  • Forward Motion ($5,040) to host a curated, two concert event entitled Perspective that shares themes of the rotating exhibits of the Ignite Studio at Hamilton East Public Library Fishers.
  • Hidden World ($6,000) to create two unique musical compositions that can be accessed virtually along the Nickel Plate Trail.
  • High Frequency Arts ($5,000) to host a new event called AI: The Intersection of Art & Tech, including interactive film, augmented reality displays, and tech-inspired fashion apparel at Hub & Spoke in June.
  • Ignite Studio at Hamilton East Public Library ($3,750) to install a 75-square-foot mural as you enter the Ignite Studio at the Hamilton East Public Library.
  • Lantern Islamic Theater Company ($7,000) to produce six theater productions and acting competitions at the Alhuda Foundation.
  • Noblesville Creates ($2,500) to host Comic Book in A Day at the Hamilton East Public Library Fishers in January 2025.

For more information, visit FishersIN.gov/grants.