Darke County Endowment for the Arts recently granted funds to six applicants who submitted requests for financial assistance for their arts-related projects. According to DCEA Chair Marilyn Delk, one of DCEA's major purposes is to assist organizations and individuals in achieving artistic goals that benefit the citizens of Darke County. The grants were awarded to: Marcus York, Greenville Municipal Band, the Annie Oakley Committee, Friends of the Cardinal Center, Darke County Park District, and Main Street Greenville.
“All of the applications this year were worthy of support, and will provide opportunities for enjoyment of the arts by a broad range of people; this year's grants will financially assist an art camp, an art exhibit, musical performances, and other cultural presentations,” Mrs. Delk stated. “We look forward to the community embracing the opportunities provided by the programs we've funded,” she concluded.
With financial assistance from DCEA, Marcus York will bring an art exhibit to the Clark Gallery at Bear's Mill featuring former local residents Marilee Pallant, a watercolorist and photographer who taught at Arcanum High school for many years, and painter Christopher Madden, a 1981 Arcanum graduate who literally makes money in his day job as an engraver for the U.S. Treasury Department. Greenville Municipal Band's popular annual concert series in Greenville City Park has provided free entertainment to generations of local residents. The granted funds from the Endowment will be used to help cover operating costs including musicians' fees so that this summer tradition can continue to fill summer nights with music for Darke Countians of all ages.
DCEA will also assist another local tradition, the Annie Oakley Festival, which provides cultural enrichment for our community in a variety of ways. In addition to furnishing a venue for Darke County Civic Theatre's melodrama and a “Western Arts Showcase,” the Annie Oakley Committee offers a free historical bus tour throughout the festival's 3-day run. The Friends of the Cardinal Center who are working to preserve the historical and educational heritage of Gettysburg School will host a free arts camp this summer. Endowment funds will help offset the cost of materials, instruction, and facilities.
In addition to music augmenting the Prairie Days Festival, Darke County Park District will present a Summer Concert at Shawnee Prairie Preserve's outdoor amphitheater; performers include Higgins-Madewell, Joseph, Silver Grass, and Berachah Valley. DCEA funding will help compensate the artists at these free events celebrating the cultural heritage of the area. Main Street Greenville requested funds to initiate Street Arts Saturdays, presenting high quality performing and visual artists on the streets of Greenville during warm weather months. This concept is a work-in-progress, so although funds have been allocated, disbursement will not occur until concrete plans are in place.
DCEA is a non-profit organization that receives and manages charitable gifts that are invested to produce income benefitting the arts in Darke County. For more information, contact a member of DCEA's governing board; in addition to Mrs. Delk trustees are Suzi Brown, David Feltman, Tom Graber, Barbara Greiner, Becky Hartnagle, and Andrea Jordan. Julie Strait serves as DCEA treasurer.
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