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On Aug. 14, Arts Council of Greater Morgantown, which was formerly known as Arts Mon, Your Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia, City of Morgantown and Monongalia County Commission presented six Organizational Arts Grant checks to awarded recipients at the Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater at Riverfront Park.
While in previous years, this would have been a public media opportunity, this remained a private presentation, due to COVID-19.
For more than three years, YCF has partnered with the Art Council’s Grant Committee to review funding requests from local arts organizations. More than 40 grants, which total more than $600,000 in funds, have been awarded since the collaborative efforts were established. The committee reviews all submitted applications and connects the creative community to the resources that the City of Morgantown, the Monongalia County Commission, and the Douglas H. Tanner Memorial Fund for the Arts contribute to support and grow the arts locally.
“The commission is very pleased with what is being achieved in the arts community by these grants, as this is proof that a collaborative effort can work and we all benefit,” said Monongalia County Commissioner, Ed Hawkins. “Arts Council deserves high praise for their efforts on behalf of the Commission, City of Morgantown and YCF.”
During this year’s Organizational Arts Grant presentation, six groups received checks for a variety of creative initiatives including Monongalia Arts Center, Morgantown Art Party, Morgantown History Museum, Morgantown Theatre Co., PopShopWV, and West Virginia Public Theatre. Due to COVID-19, additional organizations will be presented with their checks at a later date.
“The City of Morgantown is proud to be a key funder supporting the Organizational Arts Grants and congratulates all of this year’s recipients,” said City of Morgantown Director of Arts and Cultural Development, Vincent Kitch. “Arts and culture play an important role in our community and the city is committed to supporting artists and arts organizations who provide programs and services for our residents and visitors alike.”
The mission of the Organizational Arts Grant program is to broaden base support for the arts, promote excellence in the arts and ensure that the community has a variety of arts programs.
The grant structure and criteria were developed, and are continuously improved, by the committee of volunteers, represented by individual artists and arts organizations, also with the support of the funding entities.
“Despite the ‘new normal’ we are adapting to at this time, art is still happening in our community,” said Grant Committee Chair, Patrick Kirby. “This was a great way for the City of Morgantown and Monongalia County Commission to come together to facilitate the funding of arts organizations and other creative initiatives in Greater Morgantown.”
Info: YCFWV.org.
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