Monday, July 3, 2017

DARKE COUNTY ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS ANNOUNCES GRANT AWARDS

Darke County Endowment for the Arts recently granted funds to seven 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: Annie Oakley Committee, Boys and Girls Club, Darke County Park District, Friends of Bear’s Mill, Friends of the Cardinal Center, Greenville Municipal Band, and C. J. Jasenski.

“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 musical performances, an art camp, art exhibits, and other cultural presentations,” Mrs. Delk stated. “We look forward to the community embracing the opportunities provided by the projects we've funded,” she concluded.

DCEA funds will help support the arts component of a long-standing local tradition, the Annie Oakley Festival; in addition to providing a venue for live music as well as Darke County Civic Theatre's melodrama, the Annie Oakley Committee offers a free historical bus tour throughout the festival's 3-day run. The Boys and Girls Club requested funds to provide a trip to an out-of-town arts event for their members, offering a learning and growing opportunity to youngsters who might not otherwise experience the rewards of such exposure; the request was granted contingent upon actualization of the planned activity.

Darke County Park District’s Prairie Days event celebrates our community’s natural and cultural heritage. Artists performing during the festival in Shawnee Prairie Preserve's outdoor amphitheater will be compensated in part by funds granted by DCEA; performers include bluegrass group Silver Grass, singer/songwriter/storyteller Steve Madewell, and Thien Snipps, a classic country string group, plus performances by Darke County Civic Theatre.

“Art At the Mill” in the Clark Gallery at historic Bear’s Mill received assistance from the Endowment; this series of art exhibits gives local residents the opportunity to view and possibly purchase the work of fine artists who are eager to display their talents to a broad audience. Additionally, photographer and graphic artist C. J. Jasenski received funding for materials needed to prepare and mount his upcoming “Art At the Mill” exhibit. 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.

Greenville Municipal Band's popular annual concert series in Greenville City Park has provided free entertainment to generations of local residents. The funds granted by 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 is a non-profit organization that receives and manages charitable gifts that are invested to produce income benefitting the arts in Darke County. In addition to the General Fund from which grant monies are allotted, the Endowment maintains other funds, one specifically dedicated to assisting Darke County Center for the Arts in their mission to culturally enrich our community, and the Memorial Hall Fund to help preserve and maintain historic Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall. For more information about how you can become involved in keeping the arts alive in our community, contact DCEA at P.O. Box 155, Greenville, OH 45331 or get in touch with a member of DCEA's governing board. In addition to Mrs. Delk trustees are Gary Brown, Suzi Brown, Roberta Feltman, Barbara Greiner, Becky Hartnagle, and Andrea Jordan. Julie Strait serves as DCEA treasurer.

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