Indiana Arts Awards Local Gallery Grant

The Indiana Arts Commission has awarded $ 10,745 to Athens Arts Gallery through the Arts Organization Support grant program.

“The projects and organizations selected to receive funding are strengthening our state,” said Anne Penny Valentine, Chair of the Indiana Arts Commission. “The Commission is excited and honored to invest in Hoosier communities, supporting organizations that are doing exceptional creative work to make Indiana a great place to live, work, play, study, and stay.”

The IAC approved funding recommendations for Arts Project Support and Arts Organization Support grant programs at its June 9 meeting. Athens Arts was one of more than 480 applications reviewed by 146 panelists from around the state and country with expertise in the arts, community development and nonprofit management.

“Athens Arts will use these funds to strengthen our online presence and continue to celebrate the creative life of our community through classes and events,” Diana McCormick, Athens Arts Executive Director, said. “Athens will be able to offer opportunities to engage the community in art and continue to keep class fees affordable for our community. I would like to thank Indiana Senate District 7 State Senator Brian Buchanan and Indiana House District 44 State Representative Beau Baird for the Arts Organization Support grant, which will provide us operating support for the ongoing artistic and administrative functions of Athens Arts. I am thrilled that Athens Arts has shown that we matter – that ART Matters in our community. These funds will allow Athens Arts to continue the mission to have Crawfordsville become a place for the visual arts. A community will thrive when there is a vibrant art community.”

Miah Michaelsen, Executive Director of the Indiana Arts Commission, agreed.

“Art and creativity strengthen the fabric of Indiana’s communities. They promote connection and cohesion, foster the entrepreneurial spirit communities need to thrive, and create the kinds of communities where people want to live,” Michaelsen said. “In every corner of our state, public funding for arts and creativity continually proves to be a high-return investment that improves the quality of life of Hoosiers and drives economic development within our state.”

The Indiana General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, provide funding for the Indiana Arts Commission and its programs.